Unitarian Universalist Congregation operates under a “Covenant-Based Governance Model” within the guidelines of our Bylaws. We have an elected, 7-member Board that holds authority and responsibility for our congregation. These leaders are elected by our members and operate as a single body in service to the mission of our congregation. The Board welcomes your input and questions. Please email Cassy Kost, President, with any questions you may have or to submit an item for consideration at the next board meeting.

Our 2026-2027 Board Members

Executive Board

President – Cassy Kost
President Elect – Doug Pfeiffer
Treasurer – Ashley Dugan
Secretary – Angela Burton
Member at Large – Rene Lowry
Member at Large – Jennifer Thomas

Board of Trustees

Dan Brown
Jim Kern
Nancy Bodenhorn

CASSY KOST, PRESIDENT | Cassy Kost and her two children have attended the UUC since spring 2018. She enjoys participating in UUC grounds work, attending spiritual based workshops and gatherings, as well as family events, and assists with UUC music. She works at Virginia Tech and believes in the importance  of emphasizing inclusivity and UUC values in all spaces, while strengthening community. Additionally, she serves as a leader for local Girl Scouts. In her free time, Cassy enjoys spending time with her children and dogs, creating music, exploring the outdoors, reading, and many other artful hobbies. >> Email Cassy<<

A Message from our Outgoing President

By Chris Long, UUC Board President 2025-2026, Summer 2026

As we wind down our church year for 2025-2026, I wanted to start with an enormous “Thank you” from the board to everyone who serves the congregation and this community in any capacity. Everybody from the leaders of our many committees and social groups to those who just check in with those around them and lend a helping hand, ensures we keep our community welcoming and that everything works. You’ve made the UUC a great place to be, and it’s been my highest honor to serve as your 2025-2026 Board President.

Thanks to all your support through our Stewardship Pledge Drive as well as the outrageous generosity of an anonymous member of our community, we have raised 100% of what we asked for next year’s budget. While you may have seen special attention paid to this anonymous donor’s contributions, I wanted to take this space to thank each and every one of you for your individual pledges. Your support helps to keep things happening around here, and I want you to know that whatever you’re able to give is greatly appreciated.

In reviewing the board’s activities from the past year, I would like to highlight our largest task: reevaluating our strategic plan. We are at the point where we are asking for your input on where you want to see the congregation go in the next 5 years. This survey will not be the last time your input is requested, but we want to ensure we are on the right track. Please take the time to fill out this survey and keep an eye out through the next year for any future requests.

In addition to working on the strategic plan, we helped facilitate many other activities around the UUC. From working with Carter Parrish on his Eagle Scout project to add a gravel path to the lower fire pit all the way to helping get the Safety Committee working in response to political violence, we have done what we can to help make the UUC the best place for our congregants and the larger community. Please remember that the board exists to serve your needs, so if you see something that needs to be addressed, reach out to a board member. They would love to discuss whatever is going on and direct your requests as best as we can.

I started this message with a note from the board, but I want to end with a personal message from me. When I walked through the doors for the first time in late 2021, I had recently decided that I was going to drop out of grad school. I felt like a failure who was destined for very little in life, even though I knew I had the potential to be so much more. Shortly after showing up regularly, I was asked to help teach RE partially because people saw something in me I wasn’t able to. Through your continued support and being part of various teams and committees here, I was able to rebuild my shaky confidence and eventually get to where I am now. The UUC has been with me through some of the hardest times in my adult life, and I want to say thank you to each and every one of you. Please keep doing what you do here, because it has a real impact.

Wishing all the best,

Chris Long

Our Governance

UUC operates under a “Covenant-Based Governance Model” within the guidelines of our Bylaws. We have an elected, 7-member Board that is charged with setting clear policies that reflect the congregation’s vision and mission. 

The executive board meets most months of the year, usually on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Meetings are in person as the weather allows and via Zoom. Congregants are welcome to attend the public portion of the meeting. To have an item added to the agenda, please contact the board president at least two weeks before the next scheduled board meeting.

Our board members are elected at our annual meeting. An annual meeting is held each year in early June, and members vote to adopt a new budget, elect new members to the Board, vote on proposed Bylaws changes, and any other matter that requires a congregational vote. An extraordinary meeting can be called at other times, as needed.