Friends,
There has been a lot going on in recent weeks, and we want to share with you as faithfully, honestly, and transparently as possible what has happened, and what to expect as we look to the next chapter in the life of the United Church of Gainesville.
First, it is with great sadness that we share that Lisa Goldstein, our Church Administrator for 18 years, has submitted her resignation. Lisa has been a valued member of our staff as well as a longtime church member. She has served faithfully, and during her tenure has helped UCG navigate numerous transitions and periods of change.
In the summer and fall of 2023 we discerned, as a congregation, our wish to hire a third minister after Andy Bachmann’s departure. In early 2024 we acknowledged the financial reality that we could not yet follow that path. Now, our beloved church is facing significant change as we further discern how to proceed in our spiritual work with only two ministers. Our membership has contracted over the last six years, in line with trends in other congregations, but we are still a large congregation with robust programming. In order to continue the scope of programming, our good work in the world, our church leaders – including representatives from the Board of Human Resources, the Board of Business, the Council Executive Committee, the Congregation Ministry Review Board, and Church Council – identified the need to restructure key staff administrative roles to avoid duplication of tasks, increase efficiency, reduce the ministers’ administrative roles to allow them to focus their efforts on ministerial tasks, and to align individual strengths with job descriptions.
To reflect the current needs of the church, three new staff positions were developed: the Director of Church Operations, the Director of Communications, and the Director of Programming and Development. Initially, these were conceived of as new positions for which current staff members would have to reapply. However, after hearing staff and congregational feedback, and discussions involving the Board of Human Resources, the Council Executive Committee, and many others, Church Council ultimately approved these job descriptions with the intention of offering two of the positions to existing staff rather than requiring re-application. This also included a recommendation to ensure salaries in the new positions would remain consistent, or include a raise, for current staff if they accepted the positions. This was a lengthy process conducted in accordance with our approved bylaws and policies. For a step-by-step timeline of this process, please click here. To read the job descriptions for the new positions, please click here.
It is important that we acknowledge both the difficulty of these decisions, and reaffirm our commitment to our collective values, which are summarized so beautifully in our church compact. These shared values have guided our decisions, as we hope they will guide us all going forward.
We commit to welcome those of differing understanding and theological opinion. We recognize that there will be different perspectives. We respect each individual’s right to process this event in their own time and their own way. We hope to lead with our value of Welcome. We recognize there is no single process of communication or efforts that will speak to every person. There is room for differing opinions. There is space for differing feelings. We welcome you to process those honestly but respectfully.
We commit to learn from our religious heritage while seeking new dimensions of truth. We recognize truth is not a fixed concept – religiously or personally. Our individual truths are defined by our unique life experiences and perspectives. While truth may be relative, there are facts, policies, and concrete needs that guided the decision to create and offer these new roles. We desire to be transparent but also ask that you remember employee confidentiality is also essential to our values. For that reason, some facts can be shared openly while others may be known only to specific individuals. We encourage you to reach out to church leaders (including those who have signed this letter) for clarification on any of the steps in this process.
We commit to follow, even imperfectly, the way of Jesus in personal involvement with each other. Navigating change is challenging. We anticipate there will be misunderstandings, miscommunications, and other “bumps” in the process. We commit to approaching those challenges with grace, understanding, and compassion. The Four Agreements may be a helpful guide for navigating our personal involvement with each other during this time: Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally. Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best.
We commit to act in Christian concern for the welfare of all people. Our church has a long-standing commitment to justice, including in our role as employers. By way of example, the Compensation Committee, now the Board of Human Resources, was created specifically to ensure pay equity and we have made a commitment to paying a livable wage to our staff. We have tried to embody this in our handling of Lisa’s resignation as well as other staff transitions. In this vein, we will be working closely with Lisa on the specifics of her departure, as well as to create an appropriate opportunity for the congregation to recognize her many years of faithful service to UCG.
We hope that this email will answer many of your questions. We also recognize that some folks may want to further discuss, respond, ask questions, and express concerns. Please reach out to any of the co-signers listed below. Additionally, UCG has a formal road map or guide for members to express concerns, as well as a formal grievance procedure; for more information or guidance on these processes, please check with the church office or anyone listed below.
We (the church members and lay leaders who are signing this letter) support our ministers in their deep desire to serve our church and its members, their hard work and long hours, and their concern for the future of UCG. We (all those signing, including the ministers) remain deeply committed to our church, our members, and our staff even as we navigate difficult and uncertain times.
Respectfully and faithfully yours,
Jeremy Archer, Moderator
RD Bonnaghan, Co-Chair, Congregation Ministry Review Board
Alan Hill, Chair, Board of Business
Gary Kirkland, Church Council Member-at-large
Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan, Coordinating Minister and Head of Staff
Helda Montero, Co-Chair, Congregation Ministry Review Board
Stephen Pennypacker, Chair, Board of Human Resources
Rev. Talia Raymond, Minister of Youth, Worship, and Creative Arts
Lindsey Telg, Moderator-elect
Stephanie Wohlgemuth, Church Council Member-at-large