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Meet the Board of Trustees
Ed Greenlee, President; Dan Widyono, Vice President;
Eva Baker, Treasurer; Anne Slater, Secretary
Trustees-at-Large: Ranwa Hammamy, Ken Olin, Beth Ralston.
The Board of Trustees of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia is the elected body that governs the congregation. Aware that the members are the highest governing authority, the Board of Trustees uses the Policy Governance model to govern the church. This means that Trustees govern with an emphasis on intended long-term Ends of the Church—their effect on members, prospective members, and the wider community, whereas the Ministry Leadership Team manages the administrative and programmatic means of achieving those Ends. To learn more about the governance structure, please review our policy documents.
 Ed Greenlee, President: Ed Greenlee is the Associate Director for Public Services at Biddle Law Library at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Ed also is an adjunct faculty member in the iSchool at Drexel University. In addition to graduate degrees in law, information science, and anthropology, in 2008 Ed received a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Penn which focused on spirituality and contemporary art. At First Church, Ed has organized and participated in leading, the Sunday morning meditation group since its inception in June, 2008. He is a worship associate and a member of the Social Justice Committee. Ed has also been part of the Development Working Group and is currently involved in assembling First Church’s application for designation as a National Historic Landmark.
 Dan Widyono, Vice President: Dan was raised Catholic, discovered philosophy in high school, psychology in college, and First Unitarian in 1996 (becoming a member in 1997). Since then he has: raised Vincent among the Children's Religious Education family, taught C.R.E. and Adult R.E. classes, served on and led committees,learned when to say "no", ministered to and was ministered by church leadership (pastoral, administrative, musical), met and learned so much from many wonderful people of all genders, theologies, ages, abilities, colors, classes, and sexual orientations, grew tremendously as an amateur choral member, served on and led Campus Ministry (now Young Adults) and the Committee on Ministry (now Ministry Leadership Team), fixed up homes with Christmas in April (now Rebuilding Together), and opened and closed those rafter panels you see above you in the sanctuary (our beautiful and historical church's cooling system, now... well, those remain the same). Dan is blessed to be supported by the warm and loving family of First Church, and is honoured to serve on the Board Trustee where he will continue living out his values and giving back to all of you, his spiritual family.
 Eva Baker, Treasurer: Eva Baker came to Philadelphia (and the church) in June of 2005 for graduate school, and the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia played a role in helping her to decide to stay post graduation. Eva was raised UU in a suburb of Boston, started the UU Campus Ministry group at Syracuse University, and has been extremely involved with First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. She was on the Membership Ministry Team for two years, one of which she was a co-chair, where she helped new members join the church, was an usher/greeter, contributed to coffee hour food, and developed and implemented the Membership 101 class. This past year, Eva was on the Fundraising Ministry Team, helped run the Annual Budget Drive, and helped organize the Church Auction for the third year. Because of Eva's transition from Membership to Fundraising, she has unearthed some real concerns over the financial health of this church and questions how to better educate such a transient, inner-city congregation on the financial responsibilities and governance structure of this church. Outside of church, Eva is an (almost licensed) architect with a focus on science laboratory planning. Her big project, besides studying for 7 architecture licensing exams, is helping her Grandfather and Grandmother write and self-publish books about themselves as she recognizes that everyone's personal stories are important. Eva bought a home in South Philly last year and lives with her ex-stray cat, Number 5, ex-racing greyhound, Rockwell, and fiance, Franz, who you might get to see on a rare UU occasion.
 Anne Slater, Secretary: Anne Slater grew up in Lancaster, PA, the oldest of 5 children. She went to Bryn Mawr College where she majored in Anthropology. Half way through college, she married her high school French teacher (who introduced her to Unitarian Universalism). She is a retired college librarian.
A member of the church since April 1966, Anne’s biggest passion and involvement outside her family is the health and stability of the church. She loves singing in the choir, taking minutes at Board meetings (which she did decades ago, before there were PCs), and going to services.
In addition to church, Anne volunteers in the libraries of two city elementary schools. She loves to knit, read (mysteries and autobiographies), drive long distances with a grandson, walk on beaches or down country lanes, do yard work (really), and cook for and schmooze with her friends.
 Ranwa Hammamy, Trustee: Ranwa first came across First Unitarian in her search for Philadelphia choirs, but found herself deeply connecting to its mission within her first few weeks of attending services. She became a member in 2010 and has since been engaged in various congregational activities. Besides being a dedicated chorister, Ranwa serves as a Caring Associated, has been a Worship Associate, and assisted with last spring’s auction. Inspired by First Unitarian’s commitment to social justice, she has served as a contact point for two of its recurring education and literacy projects. She is on the Membership Ministry Team, and contributed to the development of materials for its revamped hospitality and new member “buddy” programs. This past August, Ranwa attended the UUA’s Multicultural Leadership School, and plans to use her experience to inform her work as one of the co-chairs of the Multicultural Ministry Team. Ranwa is honored to serve as a member of the Board, and hopes to use this opportunity to develop her understanding of policy governance, while also providing a “newcomer perspective”. Outside of church, Ranwa works in public health, conducting research in health education, promotion and advocacy, with a focus on cancer prevention and survivorship. She spends most of her spare time with her fiancé, Adam, which they often fill by chasing their two obese cats around their apartment, and has recently begun volunteering with the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia.
 Ken Olin, Trustee: Ken Olin first visited First Unitarian Church in 1986 with his partner, Bill Caldwell, and has been a member of the church since 1989. Ken has served on numerous committees, chairing some; among them are the Committee on Ministry, the Ministerial Search Committee, the Music Committee, the Services Auction Committee, the Music Director Search Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the Bicentennial Committee. He has also chaired Interweave at various times, and has been a Worship Associate for two ministers. Ken has had the honor of being elected to the Board of Trustees in the early 1990s, and then again as Board President from 2002-2004. He subsequently served on the Philadelphia/Wilmington Regional Growth Planning Committee, representing First Church for the 18 months of the Committee’s existence, and was elected to serve on the Joseph Priestley District Board for six years, the last two of them as Vice President. His term on the JPD Board was completed in 2010. He is proud to have been a regular member of the choir for over fifteen years, and continues to work toward getting Unitarian Universalism’s message of an inclusive faith that is based on love, justice, and equality to the outside world, most recently during April’s Rebuilding Together Philadelphia project in North Philadelphia.
 Elizabeth Ralston, Trustee:
Beth has been a member of First UU for the past 15 years. she is proud to be associated with the Unitarian Universalist Church, with its principles of spirituality, inclusiveness, tolerance of individual differences, as well as its connection to our local community and the larger world. While at First UU, she’s taken part in the Fundraising Committee, the Caring Associates and the Stewardship Committee. For the past several years, she has also been the coordinator of the Earth Based Ritual Group, and has helped to plan its semi-annual Solstice celebrations. Beth is honored to be a member of its current Board of Trustees and to play a small part in policy governance, as well as the other areas of Board oversight. Beth and her husband Stephen Nasobko live in the University City area of Philadelphia. Her favorite pastimes are walking, painting, reading, writing and camping. A former school teacher and counselor, for the past several years she has worked in the financial and insurance industries. Beth is currently as associate for a company which serves the insurance needs of the senior population.
Meet the Congregational Moderator
The Moderator is a non-Board position responsible for facilitating the congregational meetings.
 Christine Carlson, Moderator: Christine moved to Philadelphia in 1998 and began attending First Church. It quickly became a spiritual home. Here she met and married her true love. Their two children were dedicated here. In past years she has sung in the choir and chaired the Rental Committee. She has served on several search committees, including the one which recommended Rev. Nate to the congregation. Christine is currently involved with the CRE ministry team, the Worship Associates and Women’s Book Discussion Group. Personal passions include child advocacy, and the separation of church and state, especially in education, reproductive health, end of life care, and marriage. She truly believes that “we need not think alike to love alike” and looks forward to the day when First Church stands strong as the voice of progressive social action and liberal religious education in our city and community.
Read minutes from Board of Trustees Meetings...
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Meet the Ministry Leadership Team
Rev. Nate Walker, Executive Director; Scott Youmans, Chair;
Eric Orts, Katherine Schneider, Phebe Shin, and Connie Simon.
The Ministry Leadership serves an executive body to assist the minister with personnel issues and operational decisions; to serve the church community as mediators when needed; and to manage conflict while modeling spiritual maturity. The MLT supports the minister and staff and volunteers in achieving the congregation’s Ends by providing consultation on aspects of the ministries of the church, and by providing oversight and support of the various Ministry Teams. The Ministry Leadership Team provides oversight and support to the congregation’s programmatic areas.
 Scott Youmans, Chair has considered himself a Unitarian-Universalist since 2001 when he and his partner Kelly joined Bell Street Chapel, a UU congregation in Providence, RI. Over time, he served on the Worship Committee, Nominating Committee and as President of the Governing Board. He has also been active with the Boston Chapter of the National Organization for Men Against Sexism, the ManKind Project and the Transformative Language Arts Network. His current pantheistic outlook has developed over time. As a child, he was raised Baptist, attended Episcopal grade school with daily morning mass and then attended four years of Catholic High School. During and after college, he was interested in Taoism and its practical application, co-founding the AOL chat-room “Taoism Today” that met regularly in the early 1990’s. Scott’s spirituality and religious leanings have recently been inspired by the writings of David Abram, Robert Jensen, and Rumi. Poetry is an especially important practice in his life; the reading and writing of it provides meaning and opportunities for transformation. The Ministry Leadership Team will be Scott’s first active role at First Unitarian and he looks forward to learning more about the congregation while offering his support and experience.
 Eric Orts was raised a third-generation Unitarian Universalist in the small town of Colerain, Ohio. He furthered his religious education studying for the Religion in Life award in scouting (since discontinued due to fundamentalist influences in the Boy Scouts) and in religion courses at Oberlin College. He was previously a member of the All Souls Unitarian Church in New York City and joined the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia in 1991 when he moved to Philadelphia to begin teaching as a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His primary teaching and research interests are in corporate law and environmental management. Eric served the church previously in various capacities, including as a member and president of the Board (1995-98). He also once taught sustainability themes in Sunday school (though with mixed success, according to his son Emmett). Eric and his current wife, Julie, were married by the Rev. Ken Beldon of the WellSprings Congregation (second marriage for both). Julie is also a member of the church—and its excellent choir!
 Katherine Schneider was delighted to have finally found a spiritual home when she joined First UU in December, 2010. Katherine is a native of New York City and lived for several years in Asia and Europe as a child. She and husband Bill moved from Connecticut to Philadelphia in 2008, with one out of four of their blended family of teenagers (the other three circulate through). Katherine is a family physician with extensive experience in community health and health care reform. She currently serves as a senior vice president of a 5000-employee nonprofit health system in southeastern New Jersey. She is humbled and honored to have the opportunity to grow and serve the UU community through the Ministry Leadership Team.
 Phebe Shinn: I was born just before The War (the big one) I remember ration books & air raid drills & V-E Day & V-J Day. Got my Art History degree at Wilson College. Came to Philadelphia, met George Shinn at a fencing class & shortly after married him. Settled in University City, had two boys, kept busy with community activities. Went back to work - spent more years than I care to remember as an admiinistrator at Penn, ending up as media coordinator at the Annenberg School for Communication. Started life as a Presbyterian (both grandfathers were ministers), remained active for years, then got bored & drifted away. Entered First UU hesitantly (at George’s urging) & discovered beliefs I could believe in, a worldview that was both spiritually and intellectually satisfying. Have been a member of the Property Committee/Team for years; was on the Board for Property an then President. Started the Rummage Sale some years go; chaired the Auction for seven-eight years. Worked for several years to develop the Ministry Leadership Team when First Church decided to change its governance system. Currently I am a member of the Sanctuary Study Committee.
 Connie Simon. A member since November 2009, Connie was born and raised in rural southern Chester County. An avid reader and student of life, Connie is particularly curious about individual spirituality - how and why we each choose our own spiritual path and how we align our actions in accordance with that path. She is currently working on her family history and performing music with our own Cory O'Neill Walker. Connie is also using her legal and business background to develop a series of community education seminars on financial literacy and launch a scholarship fund. She is also a past chair of our Membership Ministry Team and active participant on the Social Justice Task Force. This year she will help coordinate the new Journey Toward Wholeness racial justice/multiculturalism initiative.
    
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