Rev. Sam Trumbore's virtual home

Detailed Endorsements

Kate Walker
Minister
Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
Alexandria, Virginia
UU Minister / Candidate

Sam has my full trust and support.  I am delighted to endorse and affirm his leadership.

Rev. Neal Anderson
Senior Minister
UU Church of Greater Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
UU Minister / Candidate

Thank you Sam for being willing to serve in leadership of our religious association as you support the ministries of the Association  to serve UUism’s commitments to love, justice and liberation.

Camille Loya
Member Board of Trustees, Spirit in Practice (SIP) Circle [formerly Adult RE], co-convener BIPOC Circle, member DRUUMM, member Pastoral Care Team
First Unitarian Church of Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member;Legal and Human Services Policy professional

The growth and vitality of our UU faith depends, in large part, on leaders who genuinely interrogate their privilege and understand how to use it to enlarge our Beloved Community; who truly understand and embody the sacred truth of our mutual interconnectedness; and who focus on truth, not footnotes or an exclusive club mentality. Sam Trumbore is such a leader. A leader who is humble enough to know listening is as important as talking and has a learners’ mind. Sam Trumbore is a leader we need now.

Rev. Eric Cherry
Minister
First Universalist Society in Franklin
Franklin, MA
UU Minister / Candidate

I’m grateful to Rev. Sam Trumbore for years of sturdy ministerial leadership, and for his readiness to serve our Association in this new role.  Thank you, Sam.

Anne Marie Haber
member  and activist
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
Troy, New York
UU Congregational Member;anti-racism activist, religious education volunteer

I’ve known Sam since 2005, when I was first actively involved in Albany UU.

It has been wonderful working with Sam on local environmental and anti-racism initiatives.  He works actively to keep an open-mind, and he is receptive to new ideas. 

Maybe, most importantly, he’s open to constructive criticism and doesn’t shy away from difficult matters.  This has been most important to me in my own personal anti-racism work and anti-racism work in our congregation.  Sam recognizes that, in this country, our history is deeply rooted in exploitation and racism.  He knows that one action is not enough to remedy our whole history and the unfairness and violence that go back through all generations in the United States.

Sam embraces anti-racism work as a life-long endeavor, and he keeps coming at in in different ways.  He knows that messages will get through to individuals in different ways.

Sam will bring his own  experiences of living as a white man in a society that too often continues to promote white supremacy culture, and he will use his voice for inclusion and healing. 

I endorse him, without reservation, for the UUA Board.

Ireta London
Congregational Member
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
Albany, New York
UU Congregational Member

This is a personal endorsement for Reverend Sam Trumbore of The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, New York for UUA Board . My name is Ireta London and I have been attending Albany UU for the over a year and became a member in April 2021 thanks to Rev. Sam making a commitment to inclusion and diversity in our “Beloved Community”  through his teachings, workshops, and sermons.  Also his courage to embrace the uncomfortable discussions and challenges that “true diversity” produces. 

Rev. Sam is not one to shy away from difficult topics or the fall out that is often produced when taking an honest and truthful look at systemic racism and its effects on political, social, occupational, economic, health, and spiritual injustice. As an African-American women I find  great joy in the ability to bring all of who I am on my spiritual journey to Albany UU.  I don’t have to leave the experiences I encounter  everyday due to my heritage at the door to feel welcome, and know that there are members who share those same experiences. Rev. Sam is dedicated to making his congregation representative of the “diverse multicultural” world we live in and guide himself and his congregation in understanding why UU as an association must embrace a diverse multicultural philosophy in order to remain true to all its principles.

Reverend Sam Trumbore has the honesty of character, the desire, and dedication to guide and empower his congregation and the Universalist Unitarian Association to live all its principles to make the world a Beloved Community.

                                                   The 8th Principle

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm
       and promote:  journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse
                multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably              
            dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.

Sincerely, Ireta London, OTD MPH OTR

Deborah Weiner
Developmental Director – Faith Development for Children
First Parish in Bedford, MA
Bedford, MA
UU Religious Education Professional;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;Current / Former Congregational President;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member

I have known Sam for more than two decades.  He is a committed, insightful, dedicated leader and will represent our faith well in his role as Trustee-at-Large.  I am very glad to endorse his candidacy and know we will be well served by his leadership.

Abhi Janamanchi
Senior Minister
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
Bethesda, MD
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

I heartily endorse the Rev. Sam Trumbore’s candidacy for the UUA Board of Trustees (2021).   Sam is a spiritually grounded, collaborative, and talented organizational leader, calling others into shared ministry and shared leadership. He is humble, a leader who listens deeply, a leader who will work for growth even as he himself learns and grows.

Rev. Dan King
Minister Emeritus
First UU Church of Houston
Houston, Texas
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former Congregational President;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member;former UUA Staff (2006-2007)

I know and trust Sam’s deep and sustaining lifelong commitment to UU values and priorities will make him a valuable contributor to the effective functioning of our UUA Board.

Sarah Stewart
Minister
First Unitarian Church (Second Parish)
Worcester, Massachusetts
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Board Member;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;Campaign manager for UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray

Sam Trumbore is a dedicated Unitarian Universalist minister with significant experience in our congregations and the UUA. His leadership on the board will support racial justice, institutional health and congregational vitality in our association. As a former UUA board member, I’m proud to endorse Sam for a seat on the UUA board.

JeKaren Olaoya
Congregational Administrator
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville
Gaithersburg, MD
UU Congreagational Staff;UUA Board of Trustees Nominee

It’s important to have someone on the Board that is looking forward and excited about working towards a UU faith where all feel welcome. I see that in Sam and I fully endorse his position on the UUA Board of Trustees.

Paula Shaw
UU Society Schenectady, Green Sanctuary, cochair; Music Team, Choir
UU Society Schenectady
Schenectady, New York
UU Congregational Member

As a former colleague on the board of Interfaith Impact of NY State and as a Unitarian, I highly recommend Sam Trumbore for the UUA board of trustees. We both live in the capital area and have been together on legislative visits, and at rallies and news conferences. Sam is not afraid to speak up publicly on moral issues and is very articulate. I was glad to have him join legislative advocacy visits for his quick mind and grasp of the issues. His calm demeanor and sense of the feelings of others helps him to be an effective communicator. At the same time he works well on a team. I hope to see Sam join the UUA board.

Rev. Erik David Carlson
Lead Minister
Bradford Community Church UU
Kenosha, WI
UU Minister / Candidate;UU Musical Staff Professional;UU Congreagational Staff;Current / Former UUA Board Member;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member

I first met and worked with Sam when we were both working with the UUA Board – I as Trustee and chair of the Communications Working Group, Sam as an observer representing the Open UUA Committee.  Sam sat in our meetings where he contributed his wealth of experience, enthusiasm and assistance to our Board which was struggling to remain transparent during and after the difficult transition to policy-based governance.  He was invaluable in the creation of our UUA Board Blog and establishing increased communication avenues to and with our congregations.

I have always known Sam to be positive and supportive of colleagues and is clearly dedicated to the broadening vision of Unitarian Universalism in these times when so much is at stake for us as a religious movement and as a global, interconnected community.

I fully and wholeheartedly endorse Rev. Sam Trumbore for UUA Trustee.,

David Friedman
First Unitarian Rochester
Commission on Appraisal, former UUA Trustee
Rochester, New York
Current / Former UUA Board Member;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

I have witnessed Sam at work both in his time in my congregation & as Sr. Minister of our sister congregation in Albany.  During my terms as District Trustee & Treasurer, I worked with many of the ministers in the District.  As a UUA Trustee, I received perceptive questions and observations from Rev Sam.  He will be a thoughtful and solid UUA Trustee.

Marlene Walker
Minister
UU Congregation of Rock Valley
Rockton, Il
UU Minister / Candidate

Sam Trumbore has my enthusiastic support. I can’t think of anyone more suited to serve on the UUA board at this time.

Jake Morrill
Lead Minister
Oak Ridge UU Church
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Board Member

Sam’s wisdom and compassionate heart are matched by his sharp, inquisitive mind, both demonstrated by years of effective leadership in ministry and in secular organizational settings. He has the respect and affection of a broad swath of Unitarian Universalists because he upholds respect and affection for each person he meets. As a former Trustee on the UUA Board, I see Sam’s gifts and skills as particularly well-matched to this leadership role. He will represent us well and he has my vote.

Paul Langston-Daley
Minister
Bell Street Chapel
Providence, RI
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

I know Sam to be a solid, and grounded  person. His leadership, locally in NY, and more broadly, has proven his ability to listen and provide insight for growth and depth of purpose. He is an ally, both thoughtful and wise. I strongly endorse Sam Trumbore for the UUA Board of Trustees.

Rev. Elaine Gallagher Gehrmann
Co-minister
UU Church of the Monterey Peninsula
Seaside, CA
UU Minister / Candidate

I met Sam in the fall of 1986 as we began our seminary education together at Starr King School for the Ministry.  I appreciated Sam’s cheerful, curious intellect; his friendly, honest demeanor;  his integration of mind, body and spirit; and his openness to new insights, experiences and learnings.  I have observed his path of successful long-term ministry over the past 35 years, and I have the utmost respect, affection and admiration for him.  I admire his integrity, his leadership, his many roles in service to others, and his many, many skills and gifts.  I am so grateful to him for being willing to take on this crucial role in our Association, we are truly fortunate.

Ken Collier
Minister Emeritus
Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
UU Minister / Candidate;UU Congregational Member

I have known Sam for years. He is a man of integrity, intelligence, care, and compassion. I can’t think of anyone more qualified than he to serve on the UUA Board. I endorse him wholeheartedly and without hesitation.

Laurie Beberwyck
Member
First Unitarian Universalist Association of Albany
Albany, New York
UU Congregational Member

I endorse Rev Trumbore as he’s been an excellent leader of our congregation for 20 years bringing us forward in living according to our UU principles and helping us be better members of our community.

Aaron Proffitt
Community member renting space at the UU church
First Unitarian Society of Albany, NY
Albany, New York
Community member renting space at UU church

I am a Buddhist sangha leader in the Albany community. Through dialogue with Rev. Sam and UU members, I chose the Albany UU as a place to hold my Buddhist sangha meetings. Sam is a capable and knowledgeable leader and will certainly succeed in this role.

Patricia Bailey
Nominating committee, historian
First unitarian universalist society of Albany
Albany, New York


Rev. Sam will be an excellent addition to the board.

Rev. Elizabeth Mount
Minister, First UU Church of Indiana and the Florence UU Fellowship, fellow Candidate for the UUA Board
First UU Church of Indiana and the Florence UU Fellowship, member of the Alies for Racial Equity Steering Committee
Indiana, Pennsylvania
UU Minister / Candidate;UU Religious Education Professional;UU Congreagational Staff;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member;current Candidate for UUA Board

As another current candidate for the UUA Board, I am excited to work with Sam Trumbore. I find his understanding of our faithful call to justice and anti-oppression compelling, and his history in leadership and understanding of our polity is deep, thorough, and thoughtful. I believe that his heart is set on the betterment of our denomination and he is ready to engage in leadership that creates a thriving and inspiring faith for our future.

Heidi Siegfried
Nominating Committee CCNY
Community Church New York UU
New York, NY
Current / Former Congregational Leader

As a member of at least 6 congregations serving on several boards including the Board of Albany UU, where he serves as minister, I can say that he will serve our denomination well.

Bob Ertman
Lay Worship Leader
UU Church of Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland
Current / Former Congregational President;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UU Congregational Member

I’ve known Sam for more than a quarter century. He will listen to others without an agenda.

Rev. Judy Zimmerman
Minister
Mid-Columbia UU Fellowship
Hood River, OR
UU Minister

Sam brings even-temperedness and strong spiritual grounding to leadership.  In these times of tremendous organizational change these qualities are sorely needed.

Rev. Eric Kaminetzky
Senior Minister
Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Edmonds, WA
UU Minister / Candidate;Former UUMA Vice-President

Integrity matters. Rev. Sam Trumbore has it.

David H Messner
Interim Minister
Unitarian Church in Charleston
Charleston, SC
UU Minister / Candidate;UU Congregational Member

I endorse Sam as a colleague of integrity, inclusion, and lifelong commitment. I trust him to show due care for people.

Patrick McLaughlin
Minister
Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester
Manchester, NH
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Board Member;Current / Former Congregational President;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member

Sam has the background and skill set to be an excellent board member, and will be up to speed in a very short time, which is extremely rare.

Cheri Cody
Treasurer
Second Unitarian Church of Omaha
Omaha, NE
Current / Former UUA Committee Member;Current / Former Congregational President;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member;Compensation Consultant

Sam is an exceptional leader

The Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson
Senior Minister
The Unitarian Universalist Church
Rockford, Illinois
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

Sam is smart, decent, kind, and wise.  He’ll make a wonderful UUA board member.  His spiritually grounding, large web of relationships with Unitarian Universalists, and thoughtfulness will be great asset to our association.

Rev. Jane Dwinell
retired
Vermont
UU Minister / Candidate; former District president, former District staff

Vote for Sam!

Diane Teichert
Minister Emerita/Good Officer
Paint Branch UU Church/Chesapeake UU Ministers Assiciation
University Park, Maryland
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;Vice Chair UU Legislative Ministry of Maryland

Rev. Sam Trumbore will be a spiritually-grounded,  democracy-committed UUA Board member, helping to advance my vision for a diverse, justice-making, growing UU faith movement.

Rev. Barbara Child
Volunteer with various roles serving UU Church of Bloomington, IN
Active volunteer with UURMaPA
NASHVILLE, IN
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Committee Member; Editor of Multiple Skinner House books. Former Ministerial Settlement Representative. Former Good Officer and Member of National Good Officer Support Team. Former Chair of Interim Ministry Guild

I have known Sam Trumbore for many years. I have seen him in action as a congregational minister who embodies congregational covenant and commitment to UU principles. And I have experienced his devotion to colleagues as an active member of UUMA.  He has a warm heart, a thoughtful approach, and a quick wit.  The very thought of Sam serving on the UUA Board makes me want to stand up and cheer.

Rev. Diane Miller
Minister emerita (retired)
First Church in Belmont (MA)
Belmont, MA
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member

Sam has integrity, commitment, perspective and energy to be a Board leader.

Rev. Dr. Michael Tino
Lead Ministry Team/Minister
Church of the Larger Fellowship/UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester
Mount Kisco, NY
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Board Member;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member

Sam is a colleague of great integrity and a dedication to justice work and compassion. I believe he will be a great asset to the UUA Board as we work to envision a UUA whose circle is drawn ever wider.

Rev. Mary Moore
Minister
Second Unitarian Church of Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

I enthusiastically endorse Sam. He has served the congregation of my youth for many years with dedication and vision, helping them to heal and move forward. He would do the same on the UUA Board. His religious perspective is an important one to be heard within UUism.

Rev. Jane Page
Minister
UU congregations in Brunswick and Statesboro, GA
Brunswick and Statesboro, GA
UU Minister / Candidate

I’m very supportive of Rev. Sam Trumbore’s candidacy!  He will do a great job in helping UUA continue to progress in meaningful ways.

Rev. Sierra-Marie Gerfao
Half-Time DRE/Half-Time Community Minister as a Public Theologian
DRE at Danbury Unitarian Universalist Congregation/Community Minister Affiliation To Be Established
NEW HAVEN, CT
UU Minister / Candidate;UU Religious Education Professional

When my wife and I decided to move to the northeast, I applied for and was offered Director of Religious Education positions in two congregations. Rev. Sam Trumbore was minister at one of those congregations. While I ultimately chose the other congregation for a variety of factors over which Rev. Sam would not have had control, it was an incredibly tough decision. During the search process I developed a deep respect for Rev. Sam. Among other qualities, he is very thoughtful. Throughout our interactions, he demonstrated a curiosity and interest in the perspectives of others, and a desire to learn from his experiences with others. (Not to mention Rev. Sam’s deep commitment to religious education.) Over the years, I have loosely followed Rev. Sam’s work from a distance. Throughout, he has held a commitment to liberation (anti-racism/anti-oppression). I was not surprised to learn he is now running against a candidate who has scoffed at anti-racism/anti-oppression work and rejected accountability practices for my colleagues. I do not hesitate in the slightest in offering my endorsement of Rev. Sam.

Rev. Dr. Wayne Arnason
Retired
Member, UU Congregation of Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Board Member;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;UU Congregational Member;Former President UU Ministers Association

I’ve worked with Sam on a Board and seen his work on many projects. His competence, experience, and temperament make him an excellent candidate for the UUA Board.

Rev. Dennis McCarty
Retired
Minister Emeritus, UU Cong. of Columbus, IN
Columbus, Indiana
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member;Author

I’ve known Sam for a long time, He’s a good, honest, courageous, and justice-minded man.

Diana K. McLean
Minister
Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church
Peterborough, NH
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

I support Rev. Sam Trumbore’s candidacy for UUA President. Part of my support is that I trust the Nominating Committee of the UUA to make choices about their nominees based in our UU values. I also support Rev. Trumbore’s candidacy because of his long experience within our denomination, and his clear commitment to making our faith as inclusive and widely welcoming as possible, including a commitment to the dismantling of white supremacy within the UUA.

Rev. Caitlin Cotter Coillberg
Minister
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charleston, WV
Charleston, West Virginia
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

I endorse Rev Sam Trumbore for the UUA Board of Trustees because now more than ever we need leaders dedicated to social justice and our covenant as Unitarian Universalists.

Rev. Everett Howe
Minister
Summit UU Fellowship
Santee, California
UU Minister / Candidate

I endorse Rev. Trumbore’s candidacy for the UUA board, as I think that he is the candidate who better understands the needs of the UUA at this moment, and that he will work to build the Beloved Community that we all hope for.

Jay Wolin
Minister
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities
Davenport, Iowa
UU Minister / Candidate

I know Rev. Trumbore through his work with the UU Buddhists. I have found him to be a reflective, thoughtful and caring person and committed to Unitarian Universalism.

Joanna Lubkin
Ministee
All Souls Church of Braintree, MA
Braintree, MA
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member

So grateful for your ministry!

the Rev. Dr. Randolph W.B. Becker
retired after 50 years of professional ministerial leadership
last ministry:  One Island Family (the Southernmost Unitarian Universalist Congregation)
Key West, Florida
UU Minister / Candidate;UU Religious Education Professional;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UU Congregational Member

I have known Sam as a dedicated Unitarian Universalist for decades, expressing that dedication through his service to our professional ministry.  I have experienced Sam as a reasoned yet passionate voice in discussions about the nature and future of our movement, always with a view to clarifying issues more than proving points.

His long tenure in his present pastorate tells me that he knows how to stay the course even while steering into challenging waters.  On a personal note, one of my brothers was a member of the congregation in Albany when he worked in that area.  Now, many years later and a move to a different community far away, he says when he returns to the Albany congregation periodically it feels like “going home.”  That speaks well of Sam’s ability to engender in people a welcoming spirit.

I would feel our Association would in wonderful care with Sam on our Board.

Rev Dee Graham
Affiliated Community Minister,
UU Church, Sarasota, FL
Gulfport, FL
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former Congregational Leader;Former district board leader

Sam offers quiet strength, wisdom and even a sense of humor. I’ve seen him serve our faith in tragedy and in kindness. He has my full support.

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum
Minister
First Parish Church of Stow and Acton
Stow, MA
UU Minister / Candidate

Sam has a commitment to justice and to Unitarian Universalism that has been well-proven over his career.  His prophetic vision for our faith will be an asset to the UUA Board, as well as his mindfulness.

Shelley Page
Developmental Minister
UU Congregation of Lawrence
Lawrence, Kansas
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

Sam Trumbore is a solid thoughtful leader who sees the big picture. His long dedication to this faith and his exemplary ministry make him an excellent choice.

Cecilia Kingman
Minister for Faith and Justicr
Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Edmonds, WA
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

I am so excited that someone of Sam’s integrity and commitment is running for the UUA Board.

Reverend Denise Cawley
Minister
Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Washington County
Hillsboro, Oregon
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

Sam has an incredible wealth of compassion for all people including our BIPOC, LGBTQ , poor and those bright sparks in our congregations who are creatively expressing their UU ancestors wildest dreams. May his tenacity, spirit for fighting for the underdog, and open heart toward listening, influence you to vote for him.

Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig
Minister
Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists
Williamsburg, VA
UU Minister / Candidate

Sam Trumbore is a highly respected minister and trusted colleague who cares deeply about Unitarian Universalism. I enthusiastically support his candidacy for the UUA Board of Trustees.

Sarah Berel-Harrop
Member; Pastoral Care Committee member
Horizon UU Church Carrollton Texas
Carrollton, Texas
Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member;UU Aspirant/Seminarian (Meadville Lombard)

Rev. Sam Trumbore brings a depth and breadth of experience with the UUA, affinity groups, regions, and congregations that would be a great asset to the Board. His interfaith experience will be important in the UUA’s continuing relevance while working to transform our culture, work which cannot be done alone. I also appreciate his grounding in accountability relationships.

Chloe Briede, MDiv
Interim Director of Religious Education/Interim Administrator
Old Ship Church, First Parish Hingham
Hingham, MA
UU Minister / Candidate;UU Religious Education Professional;UU Congreagational Staff;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member

I have admired Sam’s work for a long time at the church in Albany. I also appreciate his leadership as a fellow UU Buddhist. I think Sam would be a great UUA Board of Trustees member.

Stephen Caldwell
Website – IT Support
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
Shreveport, LA
UU Religious Education Professional;UU Congregational Member;Lifespan Our Whole Lives Curriculum Trainer, UUA Campus Ministry Advisory Committee (2002-2003), LREDA member

Rev. Sam Trumbore’s history of promoting the Open UUA initiatives has encouraged greater transparency as an institutional norm that contributes to the open and democratic process within the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Julica Hermann de la Fuente
Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Ministries
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN
UU Minister / Candidate

I appreciate Sam’s commitment to ongoing learning and humility as a White male cis ally. I have interacted directly with Sam through UUMA work and can attest he is the real deal. I support his candidacy to the UUA board and appreciate his leadership!

Tammy Hathaway
Church Administrator
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
Albany, NY
Church Administrator

I endorse Rev Sam Trumbore’s candidacy for UUA Board of Trustees (2021). He will be a valuable edition to the UUA Board.

Ann Eberle
Member since 1957
First UU Society of Albany, NY
Albany, NY, New York
Current / Former Congregational President;UU Congregational Member

I have known Rev. Sam ever since he became our minister. He is a good listener, an important quality in a leader!

Rev. Madelyn Campbell
Minister
UU Church of the Lehigh Valley
Bethlehem, PA
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

I am honored and privileged to endorse my colleague the Rev. Sam Trumbore for UUA Board. I know him best from our time singing together. I know he will bring his understanding of what it means to work in an ensemble to his work for us on the Board.

Chuck Manning
Green Sanctuary Committee
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
Albany, New York
Current / Former Congregational President;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UU Congregational Member

Rev. Sam has extensive experience as our congregation’s minister.  He has shown the ability to mediate conflicts and is able to maintain a calm demeanor in stressful situations.  He fully supports UUA efforts to become more inclusive and diverse.  He has participated in led many courses on racial issues and has an understanding of the challenges of White Supremacy culture.

Robb Smith
Former Executive Director, Interfaith Impact of NYS
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, NY
Wynantskill, New York
UU Congregational Member;Former UU District Board VP, UU Lay Community Minister

Rev. Sam Trumbore has been a steadfast supporter of social justice in the congregation and in the community over the two decades that I have known him. For many years he served as a board member and strongly supported Interfaith Impact of NYS, which for a quarter of a century acted as the UU State Advocacy Network for New York. I believe he will be the kind of board member that the UUA needs during this time of change, and he has my strongest possible endorsement.

Rev. Dr. Marni Harmony
Minister Emerita, First Unitarian Church of Orlando
First Unitarian Church of Orlando
Orlando, FL
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

Sam brings integrity, kindness, institutional smarts, and dedication to whatever he does.  He will be an exceptional Board member.

Michael Hornsby
Member, Religious Education Council
First UU Society of Albany, NY
Albany, NY
Current / Former Congregational Leader;UU Congregational Member;UU RE volunteer

Sam Trumbore has been my minister and my friend for the past 12 years.  My daughter and I are two of the few Black people in the congregation, and our membership and full participation has sometimes been difficult.  With empathy and compassion, Sam has provided pastoral care when I needed it.  He has helped me cope with my diagnoses for prostate cancer and for Parkinson’s Disease, and his counsel has given me comfort through my divorce.  More impressive than his personal assistance has been his ongoing commitment to inclusion, social justice and ending structural racism in our congregation and the community at large.  He has facilitated or participated in the many diversity workshops in our congregation, most recently the Racial Healing Workshop, by Anneliese Singh.  He does what he does because this work aligns with the principles of our denomination.  He does it because it is the right thing to do.  I know this because I asked him about it during one of the many lunches we have shared over the years.  As I said, he is my friend as well as my minister.  And I endorse him without reservation for the UUA Board.

Rev. Naomi King
internet-based ministry
City of Refuge
Lovell, Maine
UU Minister / Candidate

I know Sam Trumbore to be a person of humility and integrity, grounded in his spiritual practices and fruitfully wise, who works well with others and leads from attentive listening.

Lindasusan Ulrich
Minister
Unitarian Society of New Haven
Hamden, CT
UU Minister / Candidate

Whenever Sam Trumbore’s name comes up among people I know, it is always with great respect and with great enthusiasm for his candidacy. I’m convinced he’s the person we need to help the UUA keep moving into a more inclusive future that truly lives out our Unitarian Universalist values.

Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson
Minister
UU Congregation of the South Fork
Bridgehampton, NY
UU Minister / Candidate

I heartily endorse Rev. Sam Trumbore to serve on the UUA Board. I work with Sam as part of the Organizing Team for New York UU Justice (UU SAN). In our work together, Sam is committed to creating justice through our faith, and following the leadership of those most directly impacted as we bring UUs into this work.

Larry Ladd
Chair, Denominational Affairs Committee
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth MA
Falmouth, MA
Current / Former UUA Board Member;Current / Former UUA Committee Member;Current / Former Congregational President;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;Former UUA Financial Advisor 1997-2005 and 2013-16

White male Unitarian Universalists like me have a special responsibility to resist the backlash against becoming an inclusive association that respects and welcomes people of color, LGTBQ+, and others who have been excluded.  The backlash takes many forms and hides itself behind pretty words, but the words all say:  those who have been excluded must accept our terms to be included.  Sam Trumbore, a fine minister who will serve us well on the board, faces a backlash candidate and that candidate must be defeated.

Rev. Chris Rothbauer
Minister
Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Auburn, Al
UU Minister / Candidate;Steering Committee Member, TRUUsT

Sam Trumbore is a trusted name in Unitarian Universalist circles. His depth of experience both congregationally and in social justice and organizational circles means he will, as a member of the UUA Board of Trustees, be able to respond to the challenges of our movement in the current world. I trust Sam that he will support the vision of the UUA of moving towards an accountable anti-oppressive model that brings in voices within our movement who have traditionally been marginalized. I wholeheartedly endorse Sam because I believe he is the candidate who will listen and respond to the concerns of all Unitarian Universalists with compassion and curiosity.

Rev. Lynn Gardner & Rev. Wendy Bartel
Co-Ministers
UU Society of Schenectady
Schenectady, NY
UU Minister / Candidate;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021

We have experienced Sam to be committed to those he serves, his larger community, his colleagues, and our shared faith. He shares leadership in ways that are thoughtful, heartful, and mindful. We will be voting for Sam!

Rev. Deborah Bennett
Minister
Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Woodstock, GA
UU Minister / Candidate;UU Congregational Member

Sam Trumbore is a valuable voice in Unitarian Universalism leadership. As we move forward in creating a spiritually grounded, AR/AO/MC faith, Sam’s ability to listen deeply and wisely navigate difficult conversations with compassion is exactly what we need. I wholeheartedly endorse Rev. Sam Trumbore for this position.

Lori Stone
Director of Technology
Church of the Larger Fellowship
Philadelphia, PA
UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member

Sam Trumbore gets my vote.

Rev Theresa Novak
Minister Emerita UU Church of Ogden UT. Affiliated minister UU Congregation of Marin
UU Congregation of Marin
San Rafael, California
UU Minister / Candidate;Current / Former Congregational Leader;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member

Sam will help keep our UUA moving toward beloved community.

Rev. Dan Schatz
Minister
Unitarian Congregation of West Chester
West Chester, Pennsylvania
UU Minister / Candidate

Sam Trumbore has been a thoughtful Unitarian Universalist leader for many years.  His credentials in the areas of congregational ministry, interfaith and denominational leadership, social justice and antiracism work are impeccable.  He understands the issues facing the UUA right now, and most importantly he is humble enough to listen.  Sam will be a welcome addition to the UUA Board, and I look forward to voting for him.

Kirk Freeman
Ministerial Intern
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville
Washington, DC
UU Minister / Candidate;UU Congreagational Staff;UUA General Assembly Delegate 2021;UU Congregational Member;Seminarian

I am confident that Sam will bring a spirit-led and collaborative approach to the important work of institutional change and transformation, and I am proud to support him.

Jesse Wild
Plain ol’ congregant
Quimper UU Fellowship
Port Townsend, Washington
UU Congregational Member

The UUA needs more facilitatorship like Trumbore’s in their leaders.

Rev. Krista Taves
Minister of Congregational Life
Eliot Unitarian Chapel
Kirkwood, MO
UU Minister / Candidate

I wholeheartedly endorse Rev. Sam Trumbore to be our new UUA Board Member.  He has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to our Association and understands where we are as a movement.  He will help us to engage the deepest issues that we face, including our  commitment to dismantling systemic racism and white supremacy culture.  We will strengthen as a movement with him sitting at the table of the UUA Board.