The Church of the Larger Fellowship is an independent Unitarian Universalist congregation. It is self-governed and self-funded.
This independence is known as congregational polity—the shared practice across Unitarian Universalism that affirms each congregation’s authority to guide its own mission, ministry, and decision-making. While we are in a covenantal relationship with the Unitarian Universalist Association and connected to sibling congregations, no outside body directs our work.
At the CLF, this means our ministry is shaped by our members, guided by our values, and carried out in community.
We entrust our Lead Ministry Team with the responsibility for the day-to-day and visionary leadership of the congregation, including spiritual leadership, programming, and operations. Their work is accountable to the congregation through the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors, elected by the membership, provides governance, financial oversight, and strategic direction. They ensure that the CLF remains aligned with its mission and that resources are stewarded responsibly. The Board works in close partnership with the Lead Ministry Team while maintaining accountability to the congregation as a whole.
The Board of Directors and Lead Ministry Team are guided by the CLF Bylaws, rules and regulations established by the voting membership of CLF to govern the operations and internal management of the CLF. They define how the entity functions and are legally binding. The CLF Bylaws reflect the values of our congregation, and cannot be changed without a vote by the membership.
The Nominating Committee (NomCom) plays a vital role in sustaining healthy leadership. They identify, invite, and support members to serve in elected roles, helping to ensure diverse, thoughtful, and committed leadership within the CLF.
Each year, members are invited to participate in the Annual Meeting, a key moment in our congregational life. At this meeting, members vote on important matters such as by-law changes, elect leadership, and engage in the shared governance of the congregation. The Board and Lead Ministry Team report to the membership at this meeting.
Together, these structures reflect our commitment to shared leadership, accountability, and covenant. Through congregational polity, we live into our belief that the collective wisdom and participation of our community help guide the CLF’s path forward.
As a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the CLF designates delegates to the UUA General Assembly of congregations each June. GA delegates vote on UU Association business, such as UUA bylaw changes and UUA elected leadership. CLF delegates to UUA GA must be CLF members. The CLF application to serve as a GA delegate for CLF is provided each February/March. Applicants are chosen in April.
Board of Directors
CLF’s Board of Directors meets regularly via video conference. The Board makes policy and attends to the financial affairs of the congregation. Board members are elected by the membership of the CLF.
Erin White
Chair / Board Member
Term: 2024-2027
Rev. Margalie Belizaire
Term: 2024-2027
Andrea Aikin
Term: 2025-2027
Darbi Lockridge
Treasurer / Board Member
Term: 2025-2028
Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson
Term: 2025-2028
Stephen Kraynak
Term: 2026-2028
Laurel Amabile
Term: 2026-2029
Heather Gatland
Term: 2026-2029
Case Collard
Vice Chair / Board Member
Term: 2026-2029
Sarah Pirtle
Clerk
Term: 2026-2027
Nominating Committee
The CLF Nominating Committee is elected by the congregation and works to facilitate volunteer involvement in CLF’s ministries in addition to nominating candidates for election to the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee.
Nick Sanchez
Term: 2025-2028
Chaka Holley
Term: 2026-2027
Daniel Lean-Moctezuma
Term: 2026-2028
Ky Sandridge
Term: 2026-2029