Church Governance

5th Principle of Unitarian Universalism: We affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregation and in society at large.

The congregation of All Souls Church Unitarian is, like all Unitarian Universalist congregations, self-governing. We elect representatives to our Board of Trustees and officers to perform specific duties; vote to approve our budget and call our settled ministers; decide the content of our bylaws and other governing documents; etc. You can read about the various aspects of our governance below.

To learn more about Policy Governance and to review all current policies that govern All Souls Church please visit our Policy Page.

Nine trustees (a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and five other trustees) serve three-year terms on the church’s board; each year, some cycle off and others are elected in their place. The trustees represent the congregation. Read more here.

Six officers are elected each year to fill functions necessary to smooth operation of the church: a moderator, a treasurer and assistant treasurer, a secretary and assistant secretary, and a membership secretary. Read more here.

The Church Council is the collection of all lay leaders of the church, including representatives from all of the church’s ministries and groups. The Council meets twice each year to check in, learn from each other, and explore aspects of church governance. Learn more about the Council here.

The LDNC is a collegial group of seven members who enjoy recruiting lay leaders to serve as trustees and officers. We are passionate about All Souls and its mission. Read more here

2024-2025 Church Leadership Candidates

2022 LDNC Bylaws Report

The CRR, using the church’s Covenant of Right Relations as its foundational document, deals with conflicts with the congregation and between congregation and staff. Read about Right Relations here.

Once each year, the congregation gathers to hear a report on the state of the church, elect new trustees and officers, and approve next year’s budget. They may also vote on bylaws changes and other matters concerning the governance of the church.

2024 Congregational Meeting – Sunday, June 2, 2024

2023 Congregational Meeting – Sunday, June 4, 2023

2022 Congregational Meeting – Sunday, June 5, 2022

2021 Congregational Meeting – Sunday, June 6, 2021

2020 Congregational Meeting – June 2020 (virtual)

2019 Congregational Meeting – Sunday, December 8, 2019

The Board of Trustees of All Souls Church adopted a policy of publishing the Treasurer’s Quarterly Reports regarding the Church’s financial performance. These are the reports that the Treasurer gives to the Board every quarter to update them on the Church’s financial health.

April 2024 Treasurers Report

Audits have been conducted biannually. The most recent audit is listed below.

2022 Financial Statements, audit conducted by URA

June 2022 Architectural Assessment

Upcoming Governance Events

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Most Recent Information from Church Leadership

Important Updates from the Board of Trustees About the Budget and Annual Meeting

Your elected church leaders welcome you to monthly business meetings where we consider policy and budget decisions facing the church, through conversations grounded in our developmental ministry goals.

This month the Board will discuss and vote on a draft of the budget for our next church year (July 2025-June 2026), which will subsequently be shared for congregant feedback leading up to the annual church meeting on June 1.

April 16, 2025 No Comments

Sprucing Up In Spring

Your Building Committee is working hard to beautify the courtyard space and the steeple netting. The architect will submit the final design for the courtyard in March, and there will be some very noticeable activity happening around the netting on the 16th Street side of the church. Starting March 31-April 5, there will be some spring sprucing of the netting and liner. Unfortunately, the netting cannot be removed until the steeple is repaired, but crews will be on-site to replace the unsightly black liner with a beige-colored liner to better blend with the columns of the church.

March 26, 2025 No Comments

Throw Your Hat in the Ring

The Leadership Development and Nominating Committee has just a few weeks left to produce a slate of leadership candidates for the 2025-26 church year. We’re striving for a slate of capable leaders who truly represent All Souls’ growing and diverse congregation and who will sustain our values of justice and equity, which are needed now more than ever.

March 12, 2025 No Comments