SPRING 2026
Town Hall
Unitarian Church of Lincoln
Sunday, May 24 & 31, 2026
Congregational Meeting: Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Presiding: Michael Straatmann, Board of Trustees President
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Welcome
Spring 2026 Town Hall
May 24 & 31, 2026
Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 7 · 11:30 AM
Welcome
Michael Straatmann
President, Board of Trustees
�Whether you're here in the sanctuary or joining on YouTube — we're glad you're with us.
Today's purpose Walk through what's coming before you at the June 7 Congregational Meeting — and give you time to ask questions.
Questions during today's meeting? In the sanctuary — raise your hand, a volunteer will bring a mic On YouTube — drop your question in the Live Chat
OVERVIEW
Today's Agenda
Opening Words & Chalice Lighting
Mary K Stillwell
Settled Minister Update
Kathy Disney
Religious Education Changes
Michael Straatmann
Share the Plate Nominees
Karen Heafer
Board Evaluation
Pam Wakeman (May 24) | Leslie Ryan (May 31)
Nominations Committee & Candidates
Priscilla Handy
Winter 2025 Meeting Minutes
Floyd Wickencamp
Structure of Congregational Meeting
Michael Straatmann
Voting Procedures
Karen Heafer
Open Q&A
Board of Trustees
Closing Words
Mary K Stillwell
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Agenda
Opening Words
& Chalice Lighting
Mary K Stillwell
OPENING
Opening Reading or Quote
[ Opening reading or words of welcome — to be selected ]
Welcome to all of you — the people who make this church.
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Opening Words
SETTLED MINISTER
Ministerial Update
Kathy Disney
Called Minister
Rev. Karen Armina
Called April 26, 2026
Ministry Start Date
August 1, 2026
Interim Minister
Rev. AJ Galazen will continue to serve as needed through the transition
"It was one of the most joyful moments I have witnessed in my time with this church."
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Settled Minister
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Religious Education
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious Education
Transition
Michael Straatmann
NOW
Essentials only through this year
Childcare during worship and finishing the year with our youth — Abby Lemburg-McDowell has full authority to carry this out.
FALL
Transition team formed with Rev. Karen
When Rev. Karen Armina arrives in August, assembling a transition team is a first priority — she's aware, has the report, and is fully supportive.
AHEAD
Reimagined program from the ground up
More voices, more capacity, a real foundation — built with the congregation, not handed off to it.
How We Got Here
A Faith Development Consultation through UUA regional staff (Lauren Wyeth) was commissioned by the Board. This has been a goal since 2019 — COVID delayed it. The Board has formally accepted the report's recommendations.
RE Committee
The RE Committee in its current form is being disbanded — not a reflection on anyone's work. Abby Lemburg-McDowell and Kim Ziemann have given this congregation an extraordinary amount. We are deeply grateful.
Think of it like interim ministry.
RE is one of our most essential ministries. Rather than immediately replicating what came before, we're giving ourselves a real transitional process — asking questions, finding what works, and building something that lasts.
Full report available on the church website and in paper copies today.
SHARE THE PLATE
Share the Plate Nominees
2026–2027
Karen Heafer
Not selected in last 7 years
First-time nominee
1.
Fitting Futures
2.
Community Crops
selected 2×
3.
Bridges to Hope
4.
I've Got a Name
5.
The Indian Center
selected 5×
6.
Big Gumdrop Outdoors
7.
OutNebraska
selected 5×
8.
Nebraska AIDS Project
9.
Good Neighbor Community Center
10.
Center for People
selected 2×
11.
Visionary Youth
12.
ConnectioN Point
13.
Walking in the Footsteps Student Support Fund
selected 1×
14.
Foster Care Closet
Top 10 vote-getters become our Share the Plate partners for 2026–2027. Full list with descriptions at unitarianlincoln.org under Governance.
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Share the Plate
SHARE THE PLATE
Share the Plate Nominees
2026–2027 (continued)
Karen Heafer
Not selected in last 7 years
First-time nominee
15.
Open Harvest Food Co-op
16.
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center
selected 2012
17.
The Nature Conservancy
national org
18.
Lincoln Bike Kitchen
selected 2015
19.
FoodNet
selected 3×
20.
KZUM Community Radio
underwritten 2017–24
21.
Nebraska Public Media
prev. underwritten
22.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland
selected 7+
Top 10 vote-getters become our Share the Plate partners for 2026–2027. Full list with descriptions at unitarianlincoln.org under Governance.
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Share the Plate
BOARD EVALUATION
Board of Trustees Evaluation
Pam Wakeman (May 24) | Leslie Ryan (May 31)
Triennial survey conducted April 2026 | 25 respondents
Leadership in advancing mission & vision
4.32 / 5.0
Adherence to bylaws & policies
4.12 / 5.0
Increasing congregational involvement
3.84 / 5.0
Strengthening leadership & infrastructure
3.84 / 5.0
Solid performance (4.0+)
Growth opportunity
Who Responded
25
members responded
76%
10+ years of membership
48%
have served on the Board
68%
directly interacted with Board
in last 3 years
64%
feel they understand the
Board's role and work
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Board Evaluation
Full report at unitarianlincoln.org under Governance
BOARD EVALUATION
What We Heard
Selected themes from open-ended responses
✦ Strengths
Strong, principled leadership — Board president and past president praised by multiple respondents
Sound fiscal stewardship and adherence to bylaws and governance policy
Trustees visibly present at services; approachable and willing to engage with anyone
Institutional stability — church not dependent on any one person
Board praised for its handling of the ministerial transition
✦ Growth Opportunities
Increase Board visibility with newer and younger members beyond regular attendees
Recruit next generation of leaders; concern about Board president succession
Develop formal onboarding and orientation for new Trustees
Explore a Board mentorship program to cultivate future leaders
Consider presidential term length — one respondent suggested two-year terms
"I want to make sure that they know how appreciated they are. I know it's hard when the job goes well and is quietly out of sight most of the time for that appreciation to be fully shared."
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Board Evaluation
BOARD EVALUATION
Communication & Looking Ahead
How Members Hear from the Board
The Beacon newsletter
92%
Weekly eblasts
84%
60%
Social media
16%
Direct postal mail
12%
Text messages
12%
Suggested Priorities for the Coming Year
Develop a formal Trustee orientation and onboarding process
Explore a Board mentorship program for newer and younger members
Strengthen visible Board presence — post-service, committee outreach
Structured conversation on presidential term length
Outreach to 11 respondents open to future Board service
Continue transparent financial communication in Beacon and town halls
Future Board service interest: 2 said Yes | 9 said Maybe | 14 said No
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Board Evaluation
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Nominations
NOMINATIONS
Board of Trustees
Candidates
Priscilla Handy, Nominations Committee
3 open seats · 3 candidates · Uncontested election · 3-year terms
[ Photo ]
Erica Birky Rios
Marcia Cederdahl
Kathy Disney
NOMINATIONS
Program Council Chair
Election
Priscilla Handy, Nominations Committee
1 open seat · 1 candidate · Uncontested election
Bob Haack
About this role��The Program Council Chair serves as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees and coordinates the work of UCL's ministry teams and committees.
Voting occurs at the June 7 Congregational Meeting via online ballot.
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Program Council Chair
MEETING MINUTES
Winter 2025 Congregational
Meeting Minutes
Floyd Wickencamp
Paper copies available today. Minutes also posted on the website under Governance.
Voting to approve occurs at the June 7 Congregational Meeting.
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Meeting Minutes
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Spring 2026 Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 7, 2026 | 11:30 AM | In person & YouTube livestream
Michael Straatmann
Votes
Approve Winter 2025 Minutes | Elect Board of Trustees candidates | Elect Program Council Chair |
Select Share the Plate recipients
Reports
Minister · Board President · Treasurer · Program Council Chair
Celebration
Reveal the annual Unsung UU — honoring someone whose actions inspire and support our congregation
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Congregational Meeting
VOTING PROCEDURES
How to Vote
Karen Heafer
1
Online Ballot
After the meeting, you'll receive a link by email from the church office. Follow the instructions and click Submit.
2
Paper Ballot
No electronic access? Pick up a physical ballot from the church office after the Spring Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 7, 2026
3
Eligibility & Window
Members in good standing may vote. You have 48 hours after the meeting to submit.
4
Results
Results will be shared in the Friday e-blast following the June 7 Congregational Meeting.
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Voting Procedures
Questions?
Open Q&A | Board of Trustees
In the Sanctuary
Raise your hand — a volunteer will bring a microphone to you.
Watching on YouTube
Type your question in the Live Chat. There may be a short delay before we see it.
All questions welcome.
We will do our best to answer.
Unitarian Church of Lincoln | Spring 2026 Town Hall
Q&A
Closing Words
Mary K Stillwell
[ Closing quote or reading — to be selected ]
Congregational Meeting | Sunday, June 7 | 11:30 AM | unitarianlincoln.org