The Nominating Committee is delighted to place before the members of the Fellowship the following nominees for the Board of Trustees, the Healthy Congregation Committee, and the Nominating Committee. Voting for these seats will take place during ERUUF’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 31.

The Nominating Committee worked diligently on developing these slates of candidates, beginning in August of last year. We sought recommendations, reached out to potential candidates, sponsored talks during Sunday service, tabled, interviewed candidates and had a lengthy discernment meeting to come to consensus. We believe the nominees listed below represent a fantastic cross-section of the Fellowship and will bring unique talents, experience and perspectives to their respective roles should you choose to elect them.

Board of Trustees:
Lisbi Abraham
Naa Adom
Jalene Bowersmith
Barbara Sheline

Healthy Congregation Committee:
Jennifer D'Agostino

Nominating Committee:
Rebecca Fitzerald-Martinez
Mark Kuhn
Clint McSherry

Read more about the candidates below.

Board of Trustees

Lisbi Abraham

I moved to Cary in 2021 from northern New Jersey with my wife, Karen, and our three children, Silas, Leila, and Kira. I grew up in a small Syrian Eastern Orthodox congregation where the closeness of the community shaped my appreciation for faith and belonging, even as later church conflict led me to continue searching for healthier spiritual communities. Professionally, I work in technology and operations, helping organizations solve complex problems, build strong teams, and grow in thoughtful and sustainable ways. I’ve been especially grateful for opportunities to support mission-oriented startups working to create meaningful technology jobs in places like Africa and Nepal. Locally, I serve on the Cary Park Property Owners Association board and pool committee and volunteer as a youth group adviser, where I enjoy supporting young people as they create a community for themselves.

 

 

Naa Adom

I have been a member of ERUUF since 2019. I was raised Presbyterian, and was lucky enough to have parents who allowed me to explore my faith and spirituality freely. They only wanted me to join a church in my young adulthood just so that I could have another community of people when I needed it. I'm grateful that ERUUF has been that community for me and my child.

I was close to unwittingly minoring in Religion and Philosophy in college because I happened to take so many classes that allowed me to think about ethics, souls, human connection, and wonder. My desire to keep learning and grappling with my own spiritual life led me to Unitarian Universalism. I'm excited to see what my son will discover about himself on his own religious exploration! I've worked in education both as a teacher and administrator committed to young people and their capacity to change the world. In my spare time I love to create art with my son, and nerd out over books, music, and film.

 

Jalene Bowersmith

My late husband grew up Unitarian Universalist and introduced me to UUism, which was a big shift from my Episcopal upbringing. When we moved to Durham in the early 2000s, we were excited to find a spiritual home at ERUUF. Since then, I have served as a greeter and RE teacher, helped relaunch the OWL programs, and, most recently, served on the Chalice Circle/Covenant Steering Committee. I am especially proud to have raised my child in ERUUF’s loving and open community.

In my day job, I serve as the Executive Director of a professional association and have over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector. I love to travel, read, and spend time in my garden, all of which help me stay grounded and curious. ERUUF has been a constant thread through many seasons of my life. I am grateful for the chance to keep growing and serving within this community.

 

Barbara Sheline 

My husband, Jonathan Sheline, and I have been members at ERUUF for over 33 years. We both grew up in Protestant religions. Looking for something more meaningful to us, we recognized that we had found our church when we attended our first UU service in Albuquerque, NM.

I am a retired family physician and medical school educator. I have served ERUUF as an RE teacher when our 2 children were young. I have been on the Nominating Committee. I was once before on the Board, before the pandemic. I am currently working with a team on a DEI project with the Governance Committee of the Board. The new UUA values statement resonates deeply with me as it puts love at the center of UU values. Putting love at the center is my spiritual philosophy and how I live my life.

 

Healthy Congregations Committee

Jennifer D'Agostino

Jen D'Agostino and her family joined the ERRUF community officially in 2024. Her husband, Avery, and two daughters, Cora (7) and Maeve (5) live in Chapel Hill and have enjoyed getting to know the fellowship over the past few years. Jen participates in a Chalice Circle and the girls are very active in RE. Professionally, Jen has had a career in Corporate HR for multinational companies, most recently RTI International. She launched her own Fractional HR business in 2025, Purpose HR Partners LLC. She is excited to support the fellowship through conversation, active listening and mediation to work through conflicts or struggles allowing us to grow and evolve the community.

 

 

Nominating Committee

Rebecca Fitzgerald-Martinez

Rebecca Martinez Fitzgerald (she/her) is a nominee to the Nominating Committee. Rebecca is a clinical social worker and former public radio journalist, and she counts her lucky stars that people entrust her with stories about their fears, strengths and hopes everyday. Rebecca strives to be complicit in acts of justice and to support the empowerment of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled and immigrant neighbors. Over the last decade at ERUUF, Rebecca has served as a visitor host, OWL teacher, and campout coordinator, and Halloween costume contest runner-up. This community is a source of connection and inspiration for Rebecca, her spouse and their child, and she hopes to support it by finding well-suited leadership candidates for ERUUF's continued growth and development.

 

 

 

Mark Kuhn

Mark has been an ERUUF member for more than 30 years. He has taught religious exploration, has served on the board of the Fellowship, and served on the board of the Eno River Fellowship Foundation. He currently serves on the Business Finance Advisory Committee. Mark thinks ERUUF plays a vital role in our community and is a place for kindred spirits to gather and accomplish good in the world.