BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Ed Rippee President
Ed has been a member of UKCN since 2010, and has served our spiritual community through singing in the choir, being a Y.O.U. facilitator, and teaching a Bible introductory class.
Ed's decision to run for the Board of Trustees stems from “A desire to become more involved in the ministerial life of UKCN in order to share my education, training and spiritual desire for growth, to help teach in order to learn twice over, and to lend any expertise I may have garnered from my years as a lay minister as well as a business owner.”
He feels he can serve the Board through his ability to listen, problem-solve and compromise; and also through a love for humanity that allows him to get along with most people and express thoughts in an authentic way.
Ed has previously held leadership roles in real estate organizations, and has served as Director of Religious Education/Youth Ministry in the Catholic Church before coming into Unity.
Ed's decision to run for the Board of Trustees stems from “A desire to become more involved in the ministerial life of UKCN in order to share my education, training and spiritual desire for growth, to help teach in order to learn twice over, and to lend any expertise I may have garnered from my years as a lay minister as well as a business owner.”
He feels he can serve the Board through his ability to listen, problem-solve and compromise; and also through a love for humanity that allows him to get along with most people and express thoughts in an authentic way.
Ed has previously held leadership roles in real estate organizations, and has served as Director of Religious Education/Youth Ministry in the Catholic Church before coming into Unity.
charity stephens vice president
Charity has been an active member at Unity of KC North since 2011. She has spent many years volunteering with the Youth Ministry – primarily with the Y.O.U. - where she has served as a sponsor for more than seven years. She has also taken several classes over the years and attended various rallies and retreats with our Y.O.U.ers.
When asked about her motivation to serve on the Board, Charity says, “I seek to collaborate with the Board to ensure the best spiritual interest for all. I am aligned to the mission and core values of UKCN and prepared to make well-informed decisions to positively impact the church. As a third generation Unity person, I am motivated to ensure the spiritual growth and development of our youth.” As a high school teacher, Charity has served in numerous leadership roles throughout her career. She explains, “These positions have taught me the importance of empathy, advocacy and resilience. Furthermore, my educational doctorate in curriculum and instruction supports my motivation to make collaborative and bold decisions for our youth ministry.”
When asked about her motivation to serve on the Board, Charity says, “I seek to collaborate with the Board to ensure the best spiritual interest for all. I am aligned to the mission and core values of UKCN and prepared to make well-informed decisions to positively impact the church. As a third generation Unity person, I am motivated to ensure the spiritual growth and development of our youth.” As a high school teacher, Charity has served in numerous leadership roles throughout her career. She explains, “These positions have taught me the importance of empathy, advocacy and resilience. Furthermore, my educational doctorate in curriculum and instruction supports my motivation to make collaborative and bold decisions for our youth ministry.”
Jane Ray Secretary
Jane has been a member of Unity of Kansas City North since January, 1989. She has been a chaplain since 2011, and has also served as a member of the We Care Team, and as a Minister's Angel on Sunday mornings.
Jane was employed by Hallmark Cards for many years, which helped her develop leadership skills as a facilitator and teacher, and allowed her to coordinate meetings and outside and internal events.
About her decision to run for the UKCN Board, Jane says, "I am motivated to continue learning in new ways. I feel the church needs people who are open to changing and are seeking to bring a higher consciousness into our community and the world in which we live. It will be an experience in which I can learn and grow from other members." She adds, "I have strong writing and administrative skills. I am filled with a love of God that is open and receptive to do what is mine to do. I have a desire to serve this community."
Jane was employed by Hallmark Cards for many years, which helped her develop leadership skills as a facilitator and teacher, and allowed her to coordinate meetings and outside and internal events.
About her decision to run for the UKCN Board, Jane says, "I am motivated to continue learning in new ways. I feel the church needs people who are open to changing and are seeking to bring a higher consciousness into our community and the world in which we live. It will be an experience in which I can learn and grow from other members." She adds, "I have strong writing and administrative skills. I am filled with a love of God that is open and receptive to do what is mine to do. I have a desire to serve this community."
tommy carter treasurer
Tommy and his wife, Ruth, began attending UKCN in late 2015 and stepped into formal membership in April 2016. Since that time, Tommy has served as a leader of our Events Team, making sure that our Thanksgiving Gratitude Dinners, End of Summer Celebrations, Spring Family Fiesta, and many other events are a special time for all who attend. You’ll also recognize Tommy from his musical talents, as he has played guitar, drums, and shared his vocal talents with us at many services. He and Ruth also facilitated our VibeAlive drumming circle for quite some time. When considering the question of what motivates him to serve on the Board of Trustees, Tommy says, “I am called to help our church move through these turbulent times in our world today and grow in love and in numbers.” He says he enjoys being a “big kid” and love to help out where he can with creativity, zeal, love, and acceptance of all.
LINDA ANDERSON member-at-large
Linda has been attending Unity of Kansas City North since the summer of 2014. She became a member in April 2015, and has been active in numerous groups and activities ever since. She was heavily involved with the Family Promise Team from the beginning and has also served for several years with our special Events Team. Linda currently also takes care of all the recycling here at UKCN. She has attended various classes over the years and has attended the Women’s Retreat the last three years.
When considering the question of what motivates her to serve on the Board of Trustees, Linda says, “I have been a member here for 4+ years. This family has assisted me in my personal, spiritual and mental growth. It is my turn to give back to a family which has given me a blessed, loved, and amazing life.” She continues to explain, “In my career, I have been involved with building, mentoring and inspiring teams to prosper. I enjoy supplying people with the tools, inspiration and guidance to accomplish a goal. I also love to ‘get in the weeds’ and work with a team.”
When considering the question of what motivates her to serve on the Board of Trustees, Linda says, “I have been a member here for 4+ years. This family has assisted me in my personal, spiritual and mental growth. It is my turn to give back to a family which has given me a blessed, loved, and amazing life.” She continues to explain, “In my career, I have been involved with building, mentoring and inspiring teams to prosper. I enjoy supplying people with the tools, inspiration and guidance to accomplish a goal. I also love to ‘get in the weeds’ and work with a team.”
SUSAN HARP MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Susan first came to Unity of KC North in 2000. She has served in a variety of capacities during this time, first as the Children’s Choir and Children’s Bell Choir director as well as a choir member, and then later as the director the UKCN Youth Band, Scratching the Surface. In the past 10 years, Susan has been a regular vocalist and pianist for services and the UKCN Women’s Retreats, and has also served as the UKCN Choir Director for several years. She provides yoga and meditation as needed for church events, and has held regular Chant Classes at the church.
Susan was motivated to serve on the Board of Trustees because she was asked! When approached by current Board members, she felt honored to step up and step into service for this church community that has been her sacred spiritual home for so many years. In addition to a long history with UKCN, she felt that her experience and skills in grant and budget development at the University of Kansas Cancer Center might be useful to share with her church home. “I love connecting the dots and seeing the bigger picture. I also appreciate listening, living, and providing a loving space for answers to emerge.”
Susan was motivated to serve on the Board of Trustees because she was asked! When approached by current Board members, she felt honored to step up and step into service for this church community that has been her sacred spiritual home for so many years. In addition to a long history with UKCN, she felt that her experience and skills in grant and budget development at the University of Kansas Cancer Center might be useful to share with her church home. “I love connecting the dots and seeing the bigger picture. I also appreciate listening, living, and providing a loving space for answers to emerge.”
The Board of Trustees holds an open meeting the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. Due to the pandemic these meetings are currently being held on Zoom. If you have an item you would like to have included on the agenda, please email Rev Myra or our current Board President, Ed Rippee, no later than the 2nd Tuesday of the month.