| Gary Lerude |
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 April 2008 - An open letter to all congregations:I write to request you nominate Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman to be a candidate for President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). UUA policy requires a potential candidate be nominated by at least five congregations from five different districts. Your nomination will accknowledge she is qualified to be a candidate for this office.
Laurel has been the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas since 1987. She was my minister from that time until my wife, Lori, and I moved to Nashua, NH in 1998. Laurel married Lori and me and she dedicated both of our children, Andrea and Grant. I worked with Laurel in my various roles as a lay leader at the Dallas church: chair of the Membership Committee, Vice President, President, numerous canvasses, and a memorable campaign to fund and recruit an Executive Director for the church. Laurel introduced me to policy-based governance and was the driving force for its adoption in Dallas.
From my experience and perspective, I can unequivocally state that Laurel is highly qualified to serve as our next UUA President:
She has a strong vision for Unitarian Universalism, including how we can grow in number, have positive impact in our communities,
and in visibility. The remarkable growth of the Dallas church is the best testimonial of what can be accomplished. During Laurel’s tenure, the membership has doubled from 550 to 1,100, the budget increased from $220,000 to over $1.5million, and she has led several highly successful capital drives... all in the middle of the bible-belt.
Before I left Dallas, the church had adopted a year-round schedule and added a second Sunday-morning service, necessary strategic steps to prepare for the resulting growth. As you would expect, the church has a strong and vibrant religious education program for children. For adults, the offering is equally rich, a cornucopia of programs and groups.
Laurel is a very effective leader and manager and probably the most authentic person with whom I have had the privilege of working.
The growth of the Dallas church would not have been accomplished without strong leadership to see the possibilities and the management skill to translate that vision into reality. With the adoption of policy-based governance, Laurel assumed the role of “Chief Executive,” in addition to Senior Minister. Today, she leads an extensive church program with three ministers and staff nearing twenty.
Laurel recognizes the value of focusing staff on creating and delivering programs: programs that engage members and friends in exploring their own spirituality, building community, and acting out their UU values in the world. This strategy of service creates a vitality that attracts newcomers and yields more committed members (reflected both by involvement and financial contribution).
Laurel’s vibrant ministry will strengthen our Unitarian Universalist congregations and our role in the national religious dialog.
Located in the midst of the Bible Belt, without abandoning the human need to seek the transcendent and the sacred, Laurel's ministry provides an open and liberating theological alternative,. Her sermons both touch the heart and stimulate the mind. Laurel has her own spiritual practice and has long recognized the desire many of our congregants have for a strong spiritual component in their religious lives.
She has offered workshops on meditation and spiritual practice. In collaboration with the Rev. Harry Scholefield, she created the video and workbook Living By Heart. Laurel is committed to the Unitarian Universalist ministry. She has served on the Fellowship Committee of the UUA, mentored and supervised numerous ministerial interns and ministers, and served on the Board of Trustees of Meadville Lombard Theological School.
I believe Laurel’s ministerial experience and perspective will help us strengthen our voice in the national religious dialog and increase our visibility to those who are seeking a religious home where they can authentically explore life’s meaning.
Please support Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman in becoming a candidate by nominating her for President of the UUA. You can learn more about Laurel and her candidacy on this website, www.LaurelHallman.com.
With sincere appreciation,
Gary Lerude, Nashua, NH
The nominating petition can be downloaded from the home page of this website. Once printed and approved by your board or congregation, please complete, sign and mail as directed on the form.
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