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- Your names and current UUA affiliations
- Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson
Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson
© Submitted
- Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork
- Organizing Collective Board of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism
- (BLUU)
- Board of the UU Service Committee (UUSC)
- Board of the UU Women’s Federation (UUWF) – treasurer.
- Steering Committee of UU Class Conversations
- Board of the St. Lawrence Foundation for Theological Education
- Board of New York UU Justice (NYUUJ), the legislative action network
- for NY State
- Board of the Long Island Area Council of UU Congregations (LIAC)
Bill Young
© Submitted
- Bill Young
- President, UU Meeting of South Berkshire
- Trustee, UUA Board of Trustees
- UUA Board of Trustees committees – Values & Resources working group
- (finance) and Governance working group
- EqUUal Access
- UU Addictions Ministry
- Your membership in a congregation.
- Kimberly
- Minister of the UU Congregation of the South Fork
- Bill
- President of the UU Meeting of South Berkshire
- Past UUA positions/leadership experience/affiliation
- Kimberly
- UU Ministers Association (UUMA) – BIPOC Chapter leader
- UUMA Metro NY Chapter – Vice President, President, Past President
- Central East Region (CERG) Congregational Life Advisory Council
- Metro NY District Board
- UU College of Social Justice Program Leader
- Kimberly and Bill
- UUA Appointments Committee
- Bill
- UUA Secretary
- Connecticut Valley District – Board member, Vice President, President
- Clara Barton District – Board member, Treasurer, President
- UU District Presidents Association
- UUA New England Region – Advisory Council
- EqUUal Access – Board Member, Treasurer
- Various lay leadership roles at UU Society: East, Manchester, Conn., and
- Unitarian Society of Hartford, Conn.
- New England Leadership School and Northeast Leadership School – staff
- Why did you decide to run for UUA moderator?
- This is an important moment for Unitarian Universalism. Our Association and member congregations and communities are experiencing heightened changes, challenges, and transitions. As we continue to recover from the pandemic and adjust to new ways of being in community, we are challenged to meet greater need with more limited resources. These challenges present an opportunity for us to think more creatively about how we adjust old
- processes and systems to match our current needs and resources. This will mean thinking more expansively about how we identify and cultivate resources to better support lay and professional leadership. At the same time, the recently adopted shared values present an opportunity for us to articulate more clearly what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. We’re excited to be able to model the kind of inclusive, collaborative leadership that will move our faith forward.
- What qualities do you believe you bring that are important for moderator?
- Together, we bring a depth and breadth of experience in Unitarian Universalist leadership that is unmatched. We have each served in leadership at the congregational, district, and national level—volunteering for the UUA as well as for many of the UU organizations that help us all to deepen our own experiences of UUism and to live our values in our communities and the world. What undergirds this is a commitment to this faith and to using our time and our talents to invest in the future of UUism and making it accessible and inclusive for more people. Bill’s non-profit experience with change management and governance brings with it a clarity and focus to setting goals grounded in mission and vision. Kimberly’s experience in education and social justice activism brings with it an emphasis on discussion and decision-making that prioritizes relationship, inclusivity, and growth. Together, we bring a supportive and collaborative approach to leadership grounded in respect and trust.
- What are your priorities/goals for the position, should you be elected?
- The UUA moderator does not work alone. As the chief governance officer and chairperson of the Board of Trustees, the moderator role is built on collaborative leadership—working with trustees, executive staff, committees, commissions, and adjacent UU organizations. While the moderator does not set priorities, a key function of the role is to focus the work of the Board of Trustees in order to advance those priorities adopted by the General Assembly, the board, and UUA staff. As co-moderators, we will be committed to maintaining focus and momentum on the work of the Commission on Institutional Change to promote long-term institutional changes meant to dismantle racism and other kinds of oppression throughout our systems. At the same time, our work will be to attend to near-term and directional needs to support and sustain a healthy institution. The moderator role is most visible during General Assembly. As co-moderators, we will build on recent work and continue to refine how we conduct the business of the Association, with a focus on being democratic and inclusive.
- What are the biggest challenges facing Unitarian Universalism at this time, and how can the faith best respond to them?
- We are in a period of much change and many challenges for our congregations, communities, religious professionals, lay leadership, and the Association itself. Some of this is unique to UUism and much is also a reflection of what is happening in the broader religious and social environments in this country. In recent decades, technology has fundamentally altered how things happen for all of us in small and large ways, and that is continuing. Rapid changes have impacted many elements of religious life and organizations—financial, membership, facilities, education, communication, justice work, and others. One of the most important ways that the moderator can help in our response is by supporting thorough, focused, and disciplined analysis and understanding of the dynamics and needs, while limiting reactions to surface impressions. Another key element of our response must be to support UU congregations and communities, to refine existing approaches, experiment with new approaches, and accept that it is okay to find out that some things we do now don’t work well, and then continue on with what we have learned. We believe that the breadth and depth of the UU and others’ experiences that we bring will be important in finding the best ways for our faith to respond. We will help find new paths and continue the multi-year work which is already underway.
- Any other major points or issues you would like to emphasize about your candidacy?
- The UUA moderator role is wide-ranging and challenging, requiring a six-year commitment to a volunteer position. Our love of this faith calls us to the role now. Our backgrounds and experiences provide a strong foundation, the timing is right for us, and we are partners who can do the work and support one another. We encourage you to find out more on our website, contact us with any questions, and attend the candidate forums prior to General Assembly and during General Assembly.