Bill Elder

I was born in the midwest (Kansas) but spent most of my life in Maryland, attending Sidwell Friends School, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and the University of Maryland. In college I majored in Psychology and Business Management, and later undertook advanced level work at Antioch University’s Columbia Visual Arts College pursuing a fine arts master’s degree. I also engaged in non-degree study at the Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Conservatory. 

I moved to the mountains in 2003 and first visited UUFH in 2006, becoming a member in 2007. Prior to 2006 I was largely un-churched since leaving college, finding that creed based faith organizations required adherence to rules and dogma that I couldn’t wholly support.

Since that time, in addition to become an ardent UU, I have served the congregation in a number of capacities including UUFH board positions as Vice President, President, and Past President. During 2011-2013 I led the Sanctuary Renovation team. I have served in positions on the Worship Team, co-chaired the 2014-2015 Pledge Drive, served on the Strategic Planning team and the Committee on Ministries and founded/led the Concert Committee through six musical seasons at UUFH. I am a lifelong music lover and served as the President of the Hendersonville Symphony League for several years. After the League was absorbed into the Symphony board, I served as Vice President, two terms as President and am currently the immediate Past President.

During a varied business career, I reached executive and officer level positions in several companies and retired from the corporate world in the late 1990’s to pursue my passion of photography. I was self-employed with my own company, Expressions! Photography LLC until retiring in 2011. During that time, I operated a portrait studio in Flat Rock as well as wide-ranging sports photography businesses in North and South Carolina.

If appointed by the congregation to the Settled Minister Search committee, I believe that I can bring the time and energy (retired from bookkeeper position) as well as my long term familiarity with the current congregation and its history.

MC Gaylord

How long have you been with the Congregation? 17 yrs

I suggested several people that I thought would be great on this committee (and happily saw a couple that accepted). I was surprised when I received an offer to join this very important group of members. I’m honored and scared, and at first said “I really, really need to think this over”.

One hesitation is, “Am I qualified?” Another hesitation is time.

I work full time at Blue Ridge Community College and am on the Hendersonville Community Coop board. I’m sure others on this chosen list could say the same and more, and yet they manage to find the time to do much more for our congregation than I do. I benefit from their continued commitment all the time and this is an opportunity for me to give back.

In the past 17 years, I have served on : Pledge Committee 5 years total, Nominating Committee 4 years, UUFH Board 2 years, Personal Committee 3 years Religious Education Committee as well as other RE activities for 10+ years. This was while my son Konrad was involved in the RE program.

This coming year will be a lot of work, study, communicating, learning, listening and opening myself to possibilities unimaginable. I look forward to this year’s adventure and am very excited to help find that perfect ministerial fit for UUFH.

Meg Hoke

How long have you been with the Congregation? 15 years 

How long have you been a UU? 15 years 

I would be honored to serve on the Search Committee as I feel invested in the success of UUFH.  I have served on the board as secretary, and various other committees including Endowment, Stewardship (4-5 cycles, I think), and Personnel for two years.  But my primary, ongoing service has been on the Worship committee (at least 6 years, probably more).   
As the daughter of a United Methodist minister, I’ve some understanding of the pressure and expectations put on clergy, and I served on the Pastor/Parish committee in previous churches.   
As a Master’s level Social Worker with managerial experience, I hope to bring some of my ability to listen carefully, ask probing questions, communicate clearly, and organize meetings and focus groups to bear in my work on the Search Committee. 
Personally, I also strive to be honest, cheerful, and optimistic in my manner, and bring positive energy to all interactions.   

Again, I would be honored to serve on the Search Committee and am grateful to have been considered for this position. 

Ron Partin

How long have you been with the Congregation? 20 years

How long have you been a UU? 45 years

I taught high school (psychology, sociology, & history) and taught in the  graduate education program at BGSU. Jan and I have been active members in three UU congregations, two in Ohio and UUFH). During the last 30 years I have served on a worship team, and for several years edited the newsletter. I served as the UUFH board president for two years. I have been the chair of our worship team for at least 15 years. I am also on the landscape and facilities committees. Most recently, I helped replace the office toilet!

I do not need this position and realize it is indeed a huge commitment. The easiest answer is to let someone else do it. But if enough people think I should take on this role, I will commit to do my best to help find and hire the best minister available.