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Board of Trustees
        Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Parish Hall. Members are welcome.

MEMBER UU HISTORY GOALS FOR CHURCH LIAISON RESPONSIBILITIES:

Nancy West
President


2009 - 2010

I first signed the book at the Joseph Priestly Unitarian Fellowship in rural Central Pennsylvania in 1966. I found there a community of people who shared my concern with how we live together in this world and how we can do that better. When I moved to Baltimore in 2001, I knew just where to look for a like-minded community—a Unitarian church. I have found that community at First Unitarian I and I signed the book in 2002. Since that time, I have become very active in the community it offers me.

I would like to see First Unitarian Church become an increasing force for change in our downtown neighborhood. I would like to see us grow in size and in programming that reflects our principles as well as restore and take good care of our physical plant. For this to take place, we must insure that our finances are in order and transparent to the congregation. We must help all of our members and friends understand how our ability to do the things we want to do requires a commitment of both time and money from each of us as we are able. Finally, I want all us to fully embrace the changes that come with installing a new settled minister--to be a part of how our future unfolds.

  

D. Doreion Colter
Vice President

 
2009 - 2010
 

 I became a UU in 2003 after visiting this church. I found here a place that would allow me to be an authentic Christian, living according to the teachings of the historical Jesus, and not according to doctrines, dogmas, and creeds of human origin - just as Christians did in the first century A.D. Religious freedom to walk a path of spirituality that fits me, and to be acknowledged as one who is striving to be the best I know how to be was a breath of fresh air that I have no desire to stop breathing. My hopes and goal is to promote an atmosphere where others too can find in this place a spiritual home in which to question, explore, and to grow, as they are able. In keeping with our Mission, my goal is to help make Religious Education a center pieces of what we do as a church community. Education increases our ability to do church in a manner that allows us to accomplish our Mission. If we can do that in this house, it will affect our city, and thereby affect the world. If we cannot authentically achieve our mission within these walls, it will never be accomplished in Baltimore or the world. Charity begins at home, and is then spread abroad!

~Denominational Concerns

~Outreach

~Ministry

~Sunday

Sally Wall
 Secretary

 
2009 - 2010
First Unitarian's welcome, acceptance, and support has given me "The Courage to Be" [with a nod to Tillich] and the freedom to explore my own spiritual path. My current passion is growing the music program and restoring our beautiful Niemann organ.
 My goal is to sustain and grow this precious community that others so lovingly created and nurtured while I was still searching, and to help others find the community they need!

~Social, Cultural & Special Events

Clare Milton
Treasurer


2009 - 2010

 I  

~Finance

Lauri Cebula-Seaboch


2009 - 2012

      

Betty Dabney
2008 - 2011

I've been a UU for about six years, first joining in Texas.  When I came to Baltimore five years ago, I moved to the inner city in order to be close to this church.  Since joining First Unitarian I have served on the Membership Committee, Adult RE Committee, Raising the Roof Team, and was member and Co-Chair of the Worship Committee and Chair of the Leadership Council.  I have also coordinated the Ten-Year Celebration for John and Phyllis, and have been to several out-of-town training sessions. In my professional life, I'm on the Governor's Commission for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, which puts my UU faith into practice by helping.

This is a critical time in our church's history.  In the next two years we will have a new settled minister and develop plans for the Bicentennial and refurbishment of the Sanctuary.  It will be important for us to have strong leadership, and to work together toward these common goals.  My goals for the church during this time are to play a role in bringing people together to take our church to the next level, and to help our congregation embrace change.  My vision for our church can be summed up as: Honoring our history, celebrating our diversity, and creating the future together.

 

Gina Foringer


2008 - 2011

I found my spiritual home in Unitarian Universalism in 1993.  I belonged to the Unitarian Church of Norfolk (Unitarian Universalist) until 2005 when my partner - Laura Laing, daughter - Zoe Foringer-Laing, and I moved to Mount Washington.  We spent time at the Towson UU Church before finding First Unitarian Church of Baltimore where we became members in 2006. We attend the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute every Summer where we deepen our UU faith.  I've served as Board trustee, Vice President and President in Norfolk.  I've also served on the Committee on Ministry, Worship Services Committee (chaired), Council (chaired) and co-introduced and taught the Montessori-style curriculum, Spirit Play, to the CRE community.

 I love church as an intergenerational village where the children sit at the knees of the elders and adults call the children by name, whether an active parent or not.  I believe in the combination of humility and the generosity of the human spirit in conducting human affairs, particularly Board work.  

 

Laurel Mendes

2008 - 2010

 My husband Andy and I have been members of the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore since shortly after we arrived in Maryland five years ago. I have been singing with the choir since then. I have also had the opportunity to manage several of the church dinners and serve as a youth mentor. I am currently coordinating the worship committee, of which I have been a member since 2003.  I believe communication is the engine which drives a community. I offer what gifts I have to the board as we seek to clarify and strengthen the lines of communication within our church community and seek to benefit our community with decisions informed by faith and reason. 

~Social, Cultural and Special Events

Glenn Ricci

2008 - 2010

A member of the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore for six years, I am finishing my first year on the board and have begun my role as vice-chair of the Ministerial Search Committee. I previously served a two-year term on the Committee on Ministry and am a long-time coordinator of the Men's Group.  My wife Ursula and I taught a 27-session course on sexuality called, Our Whole Lives, to two separate groups of youth at the church.  Last year, I produced a video with Alison Farnum called "Why I Am Unitarian Universalist."

I wish for our church to be a constant buzz of energy, ideas, truth, compassion, and spiritual renewal. I want to create a place where visitors can instantly know what a great thing we have here, and those who come every week be both comforted and challenged by our church community. 

~education

Paul Sturm


2009 - 2012

 I joined First Unitarian Church shortly after moving to Baltimore in the summer of 2007. I immediately felt at home in an environment where "inclusion" and "deeds...not creeds" are so highly valued. Unitarian Universalism and our church feel like the religious practice and spiritual home my life's path was meant to find. I currently serve as Co-chair of our Social Action Clearinghouse as well as the Downtown Caring Circle. I'm also facilitating planning for our First Annual Community Awards Dinner and Celebration in October, 2009.

I have a particular passion for social action and communications/outreach activities. I believe we're just beginning to realize the potential of how much First Unitarian and its members can contribute to the quality of life in Baltimore. I also believe there is great potential to increase our outreach and connections with the larger community through the full use of new communication  technologies. The magnificence of our building reminds me of the grand vision our founders had to create a beacon of hope, social justice and liberal religious values in Baltimore and the world. As we begin plans to celebrate First Unitarian's 200th anniversary, I look forward to building on this inspiring vision.

  

Roberta Van Meter

2008 - 2011

I joined the Church 5 years ago shortly after hearing Phyllis’ “Rosa Parks Sermon”.  Currently, I am Co-Chair of the Social Action Clearinghouse and a member of the Music Committee, the Race/Class Discussion Group and the Leadership Council.  I was instrumental in helping our church join the Baltimore Interfaith Hospitality Network, which provides services for homeless families.  Currently I am the Volunteer Coordinator for that program.  For several years I participated in the Doers Covenant Group and shared the experiences of my social work career with other church members working in human services.  I enjoy playing my violin and viola for occasional worship services. 

I would like our church to continue to be active in peace and social justice issues.  Efforts should focus on increasing our volunteer involvement to help those in need in our city, providing financial support of our involvement in organizations such as BRIDGE, UUSJ and BIHN and expanding our Change for Change project. Through our increased visibility in the community we will be able to expand membership.

As a member of the Music Committee, I am looking forward to helping build our Organ Fund for the restoration of our wonderful organ. 

~Social Justice