Contact information available by request.
Marcus Harrison Green- Seattle Human Rights Commission’s Individual Human Rights Award Winer
Reverend Christie Lunsford– Minister, Gainsville, FL. TRUUST Leadership Committee
Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson – Rockford UU – Senior Minister
“During this minister’s (Rev. Matt’s) 2-year tenure, we have experienced the benefits of professional ministry on improving our internal processes, communication and care for each other in our community, growth in our membership, our connection to other UU congregations in the area and to the wider community, and overall sense of hopefulness and positive energy in the congregation. We have started the process of reviewing our mission and vision, and have been planning to improve the focus of our social justice work. We see the minister as an essential part of these changes going forward.”
“Our current minister (Rev. Matt Aspin) is the first that Prairie engaged full time, starting in August 2021. We have been able to successfully develop shared leadership, with strong appreciation for a professional minister partnering with our lay leaders. Members have continued to express a strong preference for a variety of speakers on Sundays, though it has become clear that our minister brings the congregation together, and helps us improve our culture and overall effectiveness in accomplishing our mission in ways that others can not.”
“Our current minister (Rev. Matt Aspin), has been effective at raising our profile by developing stronger relationships with area non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, and UU congregations. The Allied Wellness Center recently started renting space from Prairie on weekdays, which has the potential to elevate our profile in the area. “
“Regarding ministerial leadership, we have had a big increase in our level of trust during the tenure of our current minister (Rev. Matt Aspin),who has respected and consulted lay leadership at every level. For the first time, we were comfortable transferring supervision of staff completely from lay leadership to the minister, including hiring and firing decisions. We have a few members who have a strong independent philosophical base and did not feel the need for a minister. However, even these members have expressed appreciation for the work of our minister, accepted the wishes of the majority of the congregation regarding professional ministry, and have been constructive in their participation with decision making.”
