board of trustees nominees 2020


BARB CHAPMAN
I discovered the Community Church in 2000, took Charlie Kast’s class in “Building Your Own Theology,” decided the Community Church was home, and became a member. For the first six years I was a member, my job as an elementary school principal was so demanding that I did little but attend services and make an annual pledge; however, as soon as I retired that changed.

My first major involvement in a church activity was being asked to run for the Board in 2008.  That led to chairing the Governance Task Force, through which we first developed Board policies and, subsequently, to the church adopting “governance by policy.” Currently, I serve as Secretary for the Board, chair the Stewardship Task Force, and am a member of the Governance Committee, the Worship Ministry, the Share the Plate Committee, and the Endowment Committee. I’ve loved serving the congregation and getting to know other members through these groups. Also, it’s been a gift to be able to continue to use and share many of the skills I developed over 40+ years as a public school teacher, administrator, and trainer for school Boards across the state with the NC School Boards Association.
​
What I would hope to accomplish during this three-year term is to build on the work of those who have preceded me, and help our congregation move through these challenging times.

JOE SWAIN
I grew up in North Carolina and attended UNC, moved to New Jersey, met my wife and settled down. When I applied for a job teaching at a Catholic high school and they wanted to know my religion, I put down Unitarian Universalist thinking that was better than “None.” Then I felt obliged to actually attend a UU service and see what it was all about—and felt right at home! I was active in our small fellowship, serving for a while as Secretary on the Board, then Treasurer. While I only taught at Red Bank Catholic for a year, I went on to teach 25 years at a public high school and a community college.
​
When I convinced my wife to move to Chapel Hill upon our retirement, we looked for a UU group to call home, and I’ve been happy in the Community Church for over six years. This church has so many opportunities to be involved and take part in service projects, community meals, marches for social justice, and just plain fun.

We live in the Pacifica co-housing community in Carrboro, which also provides people the opportunity to get as involved as they want. I have served as the Facilitator at our monthly Community meetings, and as head of the Appropriations Committee preparing our annual budget. On the C3HUU Board, I hope to pitch in however I am called, and keep our Church a place where all feel welcome and able to pursue their journey of understanding, community, and justice.

​MERRY-K. MOOS
Arriving in Chapel Hill for graduate school more than 40 years ago,  I became a serial parishoner—attending various churches for long periods, but walking away when I became bothered by a discordant observation: What you say you believe is more important than how you behave. Three years ago, a time without church affiliation, I was increasingly concerned about immigrants, but impotent to address the meanness and injustice. My voice and my being needed a community that shared my concerns. At my initial Community Church service, I recognized many members but more importantly, I discovered the church’s commitment to sanctuary church status. I had found a spiritual home. In fact, I have only been a member of two churches—the one I joined when I was 12 and the C3HUU. 
​
My dedication to social justice moved me to join, as our church lives that commitment continuously. The words offered each Sunday at the chalice extinguishing are the frame of service that makes this UU community so vital. As a member of the Board, I look forward to a deeper and broader understanding of the ways this church and its members make a difference.  I am involved in the Immigrant Justice Initiative steering committee. I helped organize the Syrian Refugee Dinner, volunteered (before COVID) in the IFC kitchen, and organized the Community Service Day Book Harvest. Before my retirement from the UNC School of Medicine, I held leadership positions with the state and federal Departments of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNC Hospitals.