Dear Fellowship Community,
At our Annual Meeting in June 2025, we shared that staffing adjustments would be needed to align with budget realities and that we would be undertaking a thoughtful staff alignment process during this fiscal year. We are writing now to share an update on that work, including the recommendations of the Human Resources Committee, actions approved by the Governing Board, and what comes next.
We recognize that staffing changes affect real people—members of our community who have served this Fellowship with care and commitment. We want to begin by saying how grateful we are for the dedication, creativity, and heart our staff bring to our shared ministry. This process was undertaken with deep respect for them and with a commitment to care, dignity, and fairness.
Listening & Q&A Opportunities
Members of the Governing Board and HR Committee invite you to attend one of the following listening and Q&A sessions. One minister will also be present at each session
- Sunday, January 18, at 12:30 pm – in person and online
- Sunday, January 25, at 12:30 pm – in person and online
- To access these Q&A sessions, please use the Sunday service Zoom link for that Sunday.
These sessions are an opportunity to understand the staff alignment process, hear more about the decisions that were made, and ask questions about what lies ahead in the coming weeks and months.
Background: Why This Work Was Needed
- Approximately 80% of our Fellowship’s budget supports staff, making staffing our largest investment in fulfilling our mission, vision, and strategic plan.
- While staffing has been reviewed periodically over the years, financial and capacity constraints prevented us from fully realigning roles as our Fellowship evolved.
- Recent years have brought significant change, including ministerial transitions, staff turnover, and the shift to co-ministry. Taken together, these changes made it clear that a comprehensive and intentional review of staffing needs was overdue.
The Process We Followed
Following the June 2025 Annual Meeting, the Governing Board charged the HR Committee with assessing our current staffing structure and developing recommendations aligned with current best practices.
During the fall, the HR Committee interviewed several staff members, reviewed job descriptions, and compared them with the work being done day-to-day.
The Committee also consulted with four UU congregations similar to ours in size, budget, and culture, and spoke with key lay leaders about where staffing support is strong and where gaps exist.
Initial recommendations were shared with the Board in executive session on December 18. After further refinement and clarification, the Board approved the updated proposal on January 7.
Staff were informed on Tuesday, January 13, and are being supported through conversations with the Board, HR Committee, and their supervisors.
Staff whose positions are being eliminated have been offered severance pay and the opportunity to apply for newly created roles, should they wish to do so.
Staffing Plan Summary
None of the changes being made are related to individual performance or capability. Rather, they reflect evolving needs of the Fellowship, alignment with UUA standards, and best practices among congregations of similar size and complexity.
Where roles have been eliminated and new positions created, it is because the scope, expectations, authority, and/or compensation differ significantly from the current roles. Treating these as new positions allows staff dignity and choice, rather than asking someone to step into a fundamentally different role without the opportunity to decide whether it is the right fit for them.
Key elements of the plan include:
Co-Ministers: The roles of Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy and Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave remain largely unchanged, with some additional supervisory and program responsibilities. The Executive Team structure will shift from three roles to a single executive function jointly held by the co-ministers.
Operations:
Programs & Volunteers:
The Director of Religious Exploration position (currently held by Kim Hartman) will be eliminated. A new Program & Volunteer Coordinator role will be created with a broader scope supporting children’s and youth RE, adult faith formation, worship, small groups, justice ministries, and more. This role may be filled as one full-time or two half-time positions. Kim is welcome to apply and will be thoughtfully considered among all applicants.
Finance:
Roles Not Changing:
Outsourced Services:
- Building maintenance and management will be outsourced to a local firm.
- Communications support, particularly social media, will be outsourced beginning next program year.
Timeline
Moving Forward Together
We recognize that this news may feel surprising or unsettling. Congregational-wide input was limited in order to maintain a professional process that honored the dignity of our staff with appropriate discretion. We ask that you understand this work was undertaken by your elected leadership with care, deep reflection, and a commitment to the long-term vitality of the Fellowship. As with any transition, there may be moments of adjustment. We have contingency plans in place to address gaps and ask for patience and grace—for staff whose roles are changing, for those stepping into new responsibilities, and for one another as we move through this season together.
We encourage you to attend one of the upcoming listening sessions or to contact the Governing Board at fvuufboard@fvuuf.org.
While change can be difficult, we believe these steps position our Fellowship on stronger footing to live into our mission and vision—now and into the future.
With gratitude and care,
Your Governing Board
Justin Fisher, Gary Crevier, Beth De Stasio, Erin Vandenlangenberg, Jerry Behrendt, Beth Belmore, Ligia Rivera, Christine Wales, and Marti Wheeler
