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Board of Directors fills vacancies, prepares for AM23

It has been some time, but the PNC.UCC Board of Directors now has a complete roster. With some positions unfilled, it was often difficult to make sure the voices of the conference were being represented and therefore heard.  Through the work of many individuals making connections, and by generous people saying yes to the work, the PNC.UCC Board of Directors is as follows:

Tara Leininger - Conference Moderator

Already serving on the Board are Tara Leininger, moderator; Indigo Brown, vice-moderator; Hillary De La Cruz, immediate past moderator; Diana Kutas, treasurer; Jillian Hutton, scribe; Danette Koloi, Central West representative (rep); Esther Sanders, Heartland rep; Janet Ott, Northwest rep, and Ron Patterson, Southwest rep.  The Board welcomes new members Wendy Blight, Personnel rep; Lois Farnsworth-Whysong, Southeast rep; Nicole Czubin, Northeast rep; Katherine Haycox, youth rep, and Tevita Fakasiieiki, young adult rep.

With diversity in mind, the board continues to work in engaging BIPOC and LGBTQIA conference members and people of a spectrum of ages. 

The Board also keeps in mind the diversity of the conference when it comes to urban, rural and remote congregations. 

Tara said the board is continually open to voices that may not have been heard or heard well enough, and welcomes contact through any board members or through the conference office to Acting Conference Minister Courtney Stange-Tregear or Arlene Hobson, administrator.

“One of the greatest challenges for the Board is the vast distances between what is known as the ‘west side’ and the ‘east side’.  Gathering together for a monthly meeting is often difficult or impossible, especially in the winter months,” said Tara.  “Online meetings, which became the norm during the pandemic, have greatly assisted the Board in communicating on a regular basis, although everyone admits that face-to-face meetings are the desired format. 

The use of the “Basecamp” format, which Courtney introduced to the Board, has allowed the Board to share information, keep communication open between the Board and various committees, including Stewardship, Personnel, Committee on Ministry (East and West), and Church Development, Tara explained. 

Basecamp, which provides a communication center, resource documents and scheduling, “can be a bit daunting for the Boomers to get a hang of, but it has proved its worth as the Board and the committees use it,” she said. 

Board members can be contacted through the conference office at 206-725-8383 or through clergy and church administrators, who have PNC directories. 

“We on the PNC Board of Directors are your representatives and need to hear your voices,” Tara said. 

Annual Meeting 2023 will be in Bellingham on April 27

PNC Board Moderator Tara Leininger announces that the 2023 Annual Meeting will be held on site at the First Congregational Church in Bellingham. 

Sharon Benton, pastor at the church, confirms that FCC Council agreed to be the site.  There are still details to work through on the site use, but the Annual Meeting 2023 (AM23) Committee, chaired by Tara and PNC. As executive administrator Arlene Hobson is support staff to the work of the first onsite annual meeting since before the pandemic. 

The intent at this time is to also make the AM23 available online for those who prefer not to gather in person. 

There will be a much of work to accomplish at this meeting, including changes in staff in the past year, the budget for 2023-2024, and continued work on anti-racism, church development, and other challenges the conference faces.

Tara is also looking for people to join the AM23 planning committee. 

She seeks volunteers who would like to help in the details of the event, including worship services and especially in tech so that the meeting is a smooth process for everyone. 

For information, email tm.leininger@yahoo.com. 

For information, call 509-589-1044 or email mfc.ucc@yahoo.com.

 

 Winter Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ News © December 2022

 

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