For the Annual Meeting on May 19, 2024, the Nominating Committee is pleased to report that the following ERUUF members have agreed to be placed on a ballot for elected positions of the Fellowship.
Board of Trustees:
Crystal Burroughs
Steve Hall
Christy Ihlo
Healthy Congregations Committee:
Stephen Edgerton
Nominating Committee:
Bev Wedda
Read more about the candidates below.
Board of Trustees
Crystal Burroughs
My wife Rose and I started attending ERUUF in November of 2016 and joined as members in 2017. Most have known me during this tenure as Don Burroughs. In March of 2023 I came out to family and friends as transgender and started my transition in December of 2023. At ERUUF my volunteer activity has included co-leading the Food Delivery program bringing donated food from grocery stores to the IFC shelter and food pantry. I work in healthcare design and my wife is a nurse so we did not lock down during COVID and with the help of Elizabeth Livingston (a physician) the three of us were able to continue this service through the epidemic. I am a vocalist and guitar player and have participated in several café ERUUF events. More recently I have started serving on the AV team running the sound for services and events. I am an Architectural Engineer with specialization in the design of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems for hospitals. I was raised in a progressive Christian church (United Church of Christ) but have always had a deep interest in other spiritual practices. This, along with the support of gender diversity, makes ERUUF a good place for me. I love this fellowship and all of you. I live just outside of Chapel Hill with Rose and our two Labradoodles Cash and Harley. Rose and I celebrate our 33rd Anniversary this month. I have two grown sons and two amazing daughter inlaws. In June we will be welcoming our first grandchild.
Steve Hall
Steve Hall joined ERUUF in 2013, shortly after he and his wife, Susan Green, relocated from Charlotte. Steve had a long career in public education, which began with teaching 5 years in a high poverty school in Brooklyn, NY. He soon realized that addressing the profound moral and educational inequities in the schools where he worked was his passion and his professional mission. Toward that end, he earned his MS in curriculum design and pursued training and licensure in school administration. Steve went on to serve many years as a special services coordinator and eventually found his ultimate calling as a principal, working over 20 years turning around underperforming schools in Charlotte, NC. Years of successful impact in that role led him to be offered a position training urban school principals for a national organization.
Steve is a life-long spiritual seeker and has studied with a number of spiritual teachers. He has enjoyed using the opportunity of retirement to become a certified executive coach, volunteering to serve non-profit leaders throughout the Triangle. At ERUUF he has served on the Adult Programs Team, Leadership Development Team, and currently, the Committee for the Evaluation of Ministry. He has been in and led chalice circles and designed and co-coordinated the 2023 congregational read of the book “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity and Power in Ministry.”
Christy Ihlo
Christy Ihlo joined ERUUF in 2023 after returning to the Triangle. She grew up UU in a congregation outside of Atlanta. After not having participated in a fellowship for years, she was immediately interested in ERUUF’s many avenues to support the broader community. She currently serves as the Budget Coordinator for the Justice Ministry Council, actively participates in Earth Justice and Shelter-Homeless Action Group activities, and is a member of a Chalice Circle. Christy has worn a lot of hats in the world of non-profit work and is currently the Deputy Director of the UNC Environmental Finance Center. She loves living in Carrboro and is engaged in local, state, and national election work. She enjoys sustainable crafting and a good jigsaw puzzle in her spare time.
Healthy Congregations Committee
Stephen Edgerton
Nominating Committee
Bev Wedda
Bev joined ERUUF with her spouse Denise in 2016 shortly after relocating to Durham from central MA to be closer to Denise’s mom and family. Having come from a much smaller UU congregation, she joined a Chalice Circle to foster deeper connection with a small group of members and friends first. She soon became a group leader, then joined the program’s Steering Team where she’s been serving for a number of years, currently as Co-Chair. She’s served for brief times as an RE teacher and on the Coffee Hour team. She’s participated in Pride+, Multicultural and Earth Justice activities, and often provides background event support for larger Earth Justice and Justice Ministry gatherings. She has attended a number of ERUUF’s REI trainings and the Transgender Inclusion in Congregation training.
Bev works part-time as a Primary Care Physician and Educator with the Durham VA Healthcare System and is especially passionate about the Whole Health approach to Veteran care being adopted at sites across the country. Outside of work, she enjoys being outdoors hiking, bicycling, gardening and kayaking. She’s a plot owner at Briggs Ave. Community Garden in Durham and a member of the Harvest team that gathers produce weekly for donation to the food pantry at Durham Tech.
She hopes to bring her experiences and skills in service as an effective member of the Nominating Committee.
