CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, May 18th, 2025 @ 12:00 PM
In the Church Sanctuary 
 

Matt Holladay (President, Board of Trustees) hereby notifies legal members of First Unitarian Church of Memphis, Church of the River, to meet for the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 18th 2025, immediately after the service. The meeting will be held in person in the Sanctuary following the service.

The meeting will have the following agenda items:

  • Election of 5 Board members, election of the 3 members of the Nominating Committee, and annual election of the Treasurer. See slate of candidates with Bios below
  • Vote to renew the agreement to share our Church with the Community of Faith Christian Church.
  • Acting Director of Faith Development’s Report- Jessica Laikeman
  • President’s Report- Matt Holladay

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President: Matt Holladay
Vice President: Gordon Bradley   
Secretary: Carol Fourmy
Treasurer: Lisa Jennings
Members: Ron Peck, Paul Herman, Jay Martin, Lynette Larkin, Porter Feild, Paula Turner, and Laura Taylor


Report by this year's Nominating Committee:

Here are the nominees for the Board of Trustees, Treasurer and Nominating Committee. The Congregation will select two new Board members to serve an initial 3-year term, and two new Board members to fill 2nd 3-year terms of incumbents who chose not to run for re-election. And one vacant Board position needs to be filled for the remaining 2 years of a 2nd term, due to a resignation of a member. The Board Treasurer is seeking re- election to another 1-year term. And three candidates are nominated to fill the 3 positions on the annual Nominating Committee.

With several positions to fill, we worked diligently to select nominees who were prepared to step in and actively help this congregation into its next chapter.  We appreciate the talented and willing nominees and hope the congregation supports and welcomes these dedicated members. 

 

Board Nominations

1st Board Term

Jake Harbour

Jake Harbour joined Church of the River in 2024, he joined because he is a Unitarian-Universalist and enjoys the community. He has participated in the Pride committee since he first began attending Church of the River, became a delegate for MICAH, and has participated in Journeys, Team Upstream, and Soup Kitchen ministry. He has a biology and English degree and enjoys volunteering for Literacy Mid south and connecting people with mutual interests. Jake grew up in Washington state and was raised secular, now feeling grateful to have found the Unitarian-Universalist faith in 2022. 

Matt Young

Matt Young has been a member of Church of the River for just under 2 years. He assists in technical matters for the live stream of services and is currently leading the team organizing the church's participation in the Mid South Pride festival.Matt has worked at WKNO for 19 years, and is currently an engineer. He enjoys designing and making things of all kinds. He has lived in Grahamwood Heights for 15 years and is the partner of Ben Young and Matt Taylor.

 

2nd Board Term

Lauren Gilman

After virtually attending services amid the pandemic in 2020, Lauren Gilman officially became a member of Church of the River in early 2021 and has since served the church in many capacities. While Unitarian Universalism has long resonated with her/them, Lauren was only able to pursue exploration of finding a UU congregation after deciding to permanently settle in the Memphis area in 2019. Originally from Alabama, Lauren graduated with their Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Alabama. Ethics, morality, and social justice are personal passions.

Immediately prior to the pandemic, she worked in furniture and home design, both in sales and as sales manager for many years. Currently Lauren and spouse Jackson Gilman are state licensed foster parents with Shelby County DCS to provide a safe and rehabilitative home for children in their care. Lauren, Jackson, son Emmett (11yo), son King (7yo), and daughter Talia (2yo) reside in Lakeland.

Courtney Staub

Courtney Stuab has been a church member since 1999, has been in the choir since 2006, and is a lifelong Unitarian. She has served on the Welcoming Committee and in the church classrooms. Courtney is interested in joining the Board to help COR through its next chapter.. Courtney is married to Amery and they have a trans daughter, Willow.

 

Filling Remaining 2 years of Vacant 2nd Term (Replacing Chrisopher Douglas)

Diana McClure 

Diana McClure has been a member of COR for over 25 years. Before joining COR, she attended an Episcopalian church where she was involved in youth ministry. She was drawn to COR because of its congregational polity. After attending several sermons by Reverend Burton Carly, she decided to join. Diana first served COR by leading the coffee committee, and later, she worked with Reverend Burton Carly to develop a care ministry, which has now been active for over 20 years. Diana and Marti Holladay currently serve as co-chairs of that ministry. She also served on the Board approximately 15 years ago. Professionally, Diana was a licensed counselor, working with individuals in a community health setting. She later became an advocate for people with developmental disabilities, helping them transition from institutions to supported living in the community. Now retired, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, her friends, and supporting her husband in his work as an artist.

 

Treasurer

Lisa Jennings 

Lisa Jennings has been attending the church since 1976. She and husband David joined the church in 1983 and their children, Ian and Laura, were dedicated and grew up in the church. 

Over the years, Lisa has served as Vice President and President of the Board of Trustees, Co-chair of the annual canvass, Chair, Ministerial Search Committee, Co-Facilitator of the AYS program (now known as OWL), Chair, Capital Campaign Committee 2020-2025, and has filled the pulpit as preacher and worship associate. She also served as President of the UUA Southwest District now transitioned to the Southern Region. In 2024, she received her Certificate in Theological Studies from Meadville-Lombard Theological Seminary. Currently, Lisa has served as Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for almost 3 years. 

Lisa was a tenured Professor at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and during her tenure formed two biotech companies, CirQuest Labs and Ariste Medical. Now semi-retired since 2020, she consults with laboratory testing and the pharmaceutical industries. Other interests include travel, gardening and family time including 5 grandchildren and 2 granddogs.

 

Nominating Committee

Mary Lou McCaslin

Mary Lou McCaslin has been a member of the Church of the River since 2020, drawn to its spirit of openness, progressive values, and the way it honors both community and mystery. She has been involved in a variety of roles, including choir member, helping in RE classrooms, and Chair of the Committee on Ministry. Mary Lou works in customer marketing for an education company and enjoys spending her free time exploring nature, reading, and daydreaming about her next big adventure. She lives in Hernando, Mississippi with her husband Matt and their young son Max, and remains closely connected to her stepchildren, Thomas and Lara.

Matt Redmon

Matt Redmon has been a member of Church of the River since 2021. He has volunteered with the MS/HS youth religious education program, serves on the Pride Committee, helps regularly with Stone Soup Sundays, and often lends a hand with coffee hour and ushering. He most recently served on the Committee on Ministry. Matt has been a special education teacher for 16 years and currently works with students with moderate to severe disabilities at Jonesboro High School. He holds a master’s degree in special education and is passionate about inclusion, community, and justice. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, he now lives in Jonesboro with his wife Elizabeth and their son Gus. He wants to talk about your favorite lunch spot in Memphis.

Brad Roper

Brad Roper has been a member of church of the river for over a year and has been attending since 2019, starting with weekly worship services and the Journeys group. After the church resumed in-person worship after the pandemic and his daughter, Emily (22), left for college, he began singing in the choir. He is a longtime Memphian and works as a neuropsychologist and supervisor at the VA Medical Center, and teaches at the VA and UT.