The Election of the United Church of Christ Board of Directors Class of 2023

A Formal Motion to the Thirty-first General Synod

On January 21, 2017 the General Synod Nominating Committee nominated the following members of the United Church of Christ for election to the United Church of Christ Board of Directors, Class of 2023. The Nominating Committee submits its nominations for consideration by delegates to the Thirty-first General Synod, meeting June 30-July 4, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Cameron Barr is a European American male holding Ministerial Authorization, 19-29, who is the Pastor of Grinnell United Church of Christ in Grinnell, Iowa, Iowa Conference. He previously served as associate pastor at Plymouth UCC in Des Moines, Iowa prior to being called to Grinnell in 2014. Mr. Barr’s ministry in Grinnell has focused on strategic planning and stewardship. The church witnessed a 47 percent growth in pledge income during his first two years as pastor. He served as a Conference delegate from Iowa to the 2013 and 2015 General Synods. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School. He was nominated by the Iowa Conference. Mr. Barr will serve in the Class of 2023.

Emma Brewer-Wallin is a European American lay female, 19-29, who is a student at Wellesley College in Massachusetts and a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Salem, Oregon, Central Pacific Conference. She served as a Climate Justice Inter for the Massachusetts Conference and as a Spiritual Life Coordinator for the Sierra Service Project, an organization leading youth through week-long service opportunities and spiritual reflection. She was a youth representative to the Senior Pastor Search Committee on her local church. Ms. Brewer-Wallin is a member of the Wellesley varsity fencing team and a member of the college’s Multifaith Council. She self-nominated and will serve in the Class of 2023.

Dorinda Broadnax is an African American female holding Ministerial Authorization, 60+, who is the Associate Pastor of Community Congregation United Church of Christ in Montgomery, Alabama, Southeast Conference. Ms. Broadnax also works as the office administrator of a law firm. She has served as Interim Pastor at various UCC churches in the Montgomery area and also at a Disciples of Christ church. Ms. Broadnax served on the UCC Executive Council, under the former governance structure. She has served on her Association Board of Directors and on the Southeast Conference Board of Directors, as its Secretary. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree. She was nominated the Southeast Conference. Ms. Broadnax will serve in the Class of 2023.

Michael Cich-Jones is a Pilipino American lay male, 30-39, who is a member of First Central Congregational United Church of Christ in Omaha, Nebraska, Nebraska Conference. He is the Director of Development and Marketing for the Urban League of Nebraska and also owns his own development consulting company. Mr. Cich-Jones served on the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries Board of Directors, under the former governance structure, on its Fund Raising Committee. He is involved in the merger the Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota Conferences in to one Conference, serving as a member of the Conference Minister Search Committee. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Marketing. He was nominated by the Nebraska Conference. Mr. Cich-Jones will serve in the Class of 2023.

John Folk is a European American male holding Ministerial Authorization, 40-49, who is Associate Pastor of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Southeast Conference. Prior to entering the ministry Mr. Folk was a Project Manager for XO Communications. As the Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s he leads the church’s youth ministry and facilitates the young adult ministry, working to keep college-aged members of the church engaged. He currently or has served on the Conference Youth Steering Committee, the Youth Event Planning Committee and Budget and Finance Committee and the Conference Minister Search Committee. He has twice served as a delegate to General Synod. He was nominated by the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference. Mr. Folk will serve in the Class of 2023.

Darrell Goodwin is an African American male holding Ministerial Authorization, 30-39, who is the Pastor of Liberation United Church of Christ in Seattle, Washington, Pacific Northwest Conference. Mr. Goodwin is also the Dean of Students at Seattle University. He currently serves on the United Church of Christ Board of Directors, filling a two-year vacancy in 2015 and is now eligible to be elected to a full term. Prior to his position at Seattle University he served as the Assistant Director of Student Life at Creighton University in Pennsylvania. He has served on his Conference Nominating Committee and on the Global Ministries Board of Directors, a shared ministry with the Christian Church (DOC). He self-nominated. Mr. Goodwin will serve in the Class of 2023.

Kevin Graham is a European American/Native American lay male, 40-49, who is a member of Friends Congregational United Church of Christ in College Station, Texas, South Central Conference. He is the Director of Healthcare Quality, Clinical Education and Regulatory Affairs for Davita Healthcare Partners and holds a Master’s Degree in BioMedical Sciences. He has supervisory and management responsibilities for multiple facilities and over 1,000 employees across the country. He has served as his Church Moderator, Chair of the church Fellowship Committee and is a mentor for LGBT students at Texas A&M University. He self-nominated. Mr. Graham will serve in the Class of 2023.

Nadyne Guzman is a Hispanic lay female, 60+, who is a member of Washington Park United Church of Christ in Denver, Colorado, Rocky Mountain Conference. She is the Professor Emerita-Leadership, Research and Foundations at the College of Education, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was a Spiritual Care Fellow-JFK Partners, Department of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colorado. She began her career in education as a classroom teacher. In addition to a PhD Ms. Guzman holds a Master’s of Divinity. She is active in the United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries and in her local church. She was nominated by the United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministry. Ms. Guzman will serve in the Class of 2023.

Timothy Hatchfeld is a European American lay male, 30-39, who is a member of Eagle Harbor Congregational United Church of Christ in Bainbridge Island, Washington, Pacific Northwest Conference. With a degree in electrical engineering, Mr. Hatchfeld is now pursuing a graduate degree. He served eight years in the United States Navy as a submarine officer, resigning from the Office of General Ministries Board of Directors, under the former governance structure, in 2009 to begin his service. Prior to his military service Mr. Hatchfeld was member of the Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries and twice a Minnesota Conference delegate to the General Synod. He is a member of the Olympic Mountain Volunteer Rescue Team. He was nominated by a fellow member of the United Church of Christ. Mr. Hatchfeld will serve in the Class of 2023.

Isaiah Jackson-Post is an African American lay male, 19-29, who is a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ferguson, Missouri, Missouri Mid-South Conference. He is currently employed as an After-School Program Assistant by the UCC Neighborhood Houses and formerly was the News Director of his college radio station. He is active in his local church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher and usher at Immanuel UCC. He also serves on the church’s Sacred Conversations on Race Committee at the church. Mr. Jackson-Post is a member of the UCC Criminal Justice Network and he serves on the St. Louis Association Council. He self- nominated. Mr. Jackson-Post will serve in the Class of 2023.

Brittni Melius is a Native American lay female, 19-29, who is a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Pierre, South Dakota, South Dakota Conference, although she now lives in Littleton, Colorado where she is a public school teacher. Ms. Melius was a 2011-2012 Fulbright Scholar studying in Valencia, Spain. She currently serves on the United Church of Christ Board of Directors, filling a vacancy and is now eligible to be elected to a full term. She previously served as a General Synod delegate in 2013, serving as Chair of a Synod Committee which recommended on the final language of a resolution. She was involved in youth ministry at her local church while in high school and college. She self-nominated. Ms. Melius will serve in the Class of 2023.

Kylie Steever is a European American lay female, 19-29, who is a member of South Park United Church of Christ in Rapid City, South Dakota, South Dakota Conference. She is a Student- Teacher in K-12 Special Education after receiving her degree in May of 2016. She has served on her local church council and attended General Synods in 2013 and 2015 as a Conference Delegate. She serves as her church’s volunteer Christian Education Director, teaches Sunday School and led a Vacation Bible School. Ms. Steever serves as a science fair judge for her local school district and volunteers for the Teammates Program, a program much like Big Sisters. She was nominated by the South Dakota Conference. Ms. Steever will serve in the Class of 2023.

Denise Pittman
Secretary-The Thirty-first General Synod Nominating Committee March 31, 2017