Listening Sessions
January 2022
Join us for a small, facilitated Listening Session. Each session lasts for two and one-half hours. We promise you the time will go quickly!
• Share stories about our values and the meaning of UUFCO in our lives
• Imagine UUFCO’s future and impact, both within and beyond our congregation
• Get to know others in the congregation and make your voice heard
When? January and February. See the Listening Session schedule below.
Where? In person at the Fellowship or via Zoom, depending on your preference and schedule.
Who? YOU should participate, whether you’ve been here for two months or for many years, whether you’re thrilled by all that happens at UUFCO or have some ideas about its future direction. We need your voice and vision. All are welcome.
Sign up using the button below or at the kiosk in the Gathering Hall on Sunday mornings.
Questions? Contact Co-Leaders Daelene Schwartz and Marean Jordan: listening@uufco.org.
Schedule of Listening Sessions
In-person sessions may be moved to Zoom to respond to current pandemic-era safety guidelines.
Our team will contact you as soon as possible should this occur.
Session A
Thursday, January 27th, 5:30 - 8 p.m. via Zoom
with Facilitators Dirk Matthias & Anastacia Compton and Board Members Daelene Schwartz
& Laura Voisinet
Session D
Saturday, February 5th, 9 - 11:30 a.m. via Zoom
with Facilitators Linda Johnson & Leslie Koc
and Board Members Marean Jordan
& Grace Kennedy
Session G
Sunday, February 13th, 12:30 - 3 p.m.
in Linus Pauling Hall
with facilitators Jodi Grossman & Linda Johnson
and Board Members Fletcher Chamberlin
& Laura Voisinet
Session B
Saturday, January 29th, 9 - 11:30 a.m. via Zoom
with Facilitators Katharine Smith & Lou Schmerber
and Board Members Mark Steinberg
& Grace Kennedy
Session E
Tuesday, February 8th, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
in Linus Pauling Hall
with Facilitators Anastacia Compton
& Jodi Grossman and Board Members
Ella Chatterjee & Laura Voisinet
Session H
Wednesday, February 16th, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
via Zoom
with Facilitators Katie-Ann Kailey & Leslie Koc
and Board Members Daelene Schwartz
& Fletcher Chamberlin
Session C
Monday, January 31st, 1 - 3:30 p.m. via Zoom
with Facilitators John McKee & Susan B. Kinney
and Board Members Fletcher Chamberlin
& John Lawton
Session F
Friday, February 11th, 1 - 3:30 p.m. via Zoom
with facilitators Sallie Neillie & Carolyn Tate
and Board Members Ella Chatterjee
& Grace Kennedy
Session J
Saturday, February 19th, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
in Linus Pauling Hall
with Facilitators Susan B. Kinney & Sallie Neillie
and Board Members Daelene Schwartz
& Mark Steinberg
Session K
Sunday, February 20th, 2 - 4:30 p.m. via Zoom
with Facilitators Pat Kailey & Carolyn Tate
and Board Members John Lawton
& Marean Jordan
Listening Session Facilitators
Jodi Grossman
Jodi started attending UUFCO services via Zoom from Boulder, CO before moving to Bend in June 2020; since arriving, she has participated in Fill Your Cup and Soul Matters groups, and supported UUFCO’s fundraising efforts by co-hosting an auction event. Jodi is a leadership coach and culture consultant, working with leaders, teams, and organizations. When not doing this work, she enjoys Central Oregon’s outdoor activities as well as travel to foreign cities and wilderness areas.
Linda S. Johnson
Linda has a passion for service, which has included nursing, public office, management of several health organizations, the Peace Corps after retirement, and humanitarian work in Ethiopia. Currently Linda serves as a community representative on the Central Oregon Health Council. At UUFCO, she continues to expand her learning and move to action around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Pat Kailey
Pat is a native Bendite who makes a living as a science teacher and academic coach. When not teaching and coaching, he can be found hanging out with family/friends, inside curled up with a book, or outside doing some sort of outdoor sport. He is grateful for the UUFCO community and contributes to the Worship Team and the UUXYZ group.
Katharine Smith
Katharine has been a member of UUFCO since 2019 and is on the Women's Connections Steering Team. She spent the last decade working on matters of organizational culture and change and now runs her own executive coaching practice from Bend. She and her husband, Derek, love exploring the world with their two girls and their rescue dog, Quin.
Susan B. Kinney
Susan is a retired physician, mother of one, married to the love of her life for 35 years. Having spent more than 25 years in UU churches, she has learned the importance of deep listening and conversation in the development of congregational life. She’s looking forward to hearing from all of you!
Dirk Matthias
Dirk moved to Bend four years ago and has been associated with the UUFCO since his arrival. A veteran teacher with almost 30 years working to make education better for kids, their families and our planet, Dirk brings a love of people, animals and nature to his practice and is excited to collaborate with participants in these listening sessions.
John McKee
John has over 30 years’ experience in higher education, both a teacher and administrator. He and his wife Ginny started attending UUFCO in 2019, joining and becoming very active with the church shortly thereafter. John is currently the co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Group and Ginny serves as co-chair of the Homeless Action Committee.
Sallie Neillie
Sallie and her spouse moved to Bend three years ago and have found UUFCO to be a wonderful way to find a like-minded community. Sallie spent her career working in non-profits, retiring from a health care social justice organization she founded in 2006 that served a three-county area in the Seattle area.
Carolyn Tate
Carolyn was a professor of Maya art history who currently writes novels, designs native-ish gardens, and collaborates on her spiritual path with UUFCO.
Anastacia Compton
Anastacia has been a member of UUFCO since 2018. She is an active member of the meditation group, is drawn to nature spirituality and poetry, and has been involved in the congregation's social justice mission, especially environmental justice.
Katie-Ann Kailey
Katie-Ann is a member of UUFCO and co-facilitator of the UU XYZ group. She is from Canada and loves getting out in the snow. As pediatric occupational therapist, she enjoys spending her work days with students and staff in Central Oregon schools.
Lou Schmerber
Lou and his wife Debbie have been members of UUFCO since 2015 and value it as a place of reason and truth. He spent most of his work life in various management positions in high-tech manufacturing. Lou is an active musician in the Central Oregon area.
Leslie Koc
Leslie has been member of the UUFCO community since 2007, serving on the Board, New Home Steering Committee and Leadership Development Committee. Curiosity and exploration are ever present in her personal, professional, and spiritual life.