The Board is FCUCC’s primary governing body, acting as a fiduciary on behalf of, and accountable directly to, the membership. The Board’s duties include setting policies to guide the work of the Board, staff, volunteers, ministry teams, and the congregation as a whole, but leaving day-to-day decision making to the appropriate individuals, committees and teams. The Board also provides direction to, and oversight of, the Senior Minister on behalf of the congregation.
Noreen Bania
Noreen and her husband Doug Williams have been members of FCUCC since May 2014. Prior to moving to Asheville in 2012, they lived in Northern Virginia and attended Little River UCC in Annandale. Noreen served as Chair of the Board of Christian Education for three years, taught Sunday School for the middle high-aged children and taught Our Wholes Lives classes. She and Doug also worked with the youth group. Noreen was a Logistics Manager for the Federal Government for 38 years, she retired in December of 2014. Since retiring she has started working part time at Biltmore, takes classes at OLLI and enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, friends and family.
Noreen and her husband Doug Williams have been members of FCUCC since May 2014. Prior to moving to Asheville in 2012, they lived in Northern Virginia and attended Little River UCC in Annandale. Noreen served as Chair of the Board of Christian Education for three years, taught Sunday School for the middle high-aged children and taught Our Wholes Lives classes. She and Doug also worked with the youth group. Noreen was a Logistics Manager for the Federal Government for 38 years, she retired in December of 2014. Since retiring she has started working part time at Biltmore, takes classes at OLLI and enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, friends and family.
Jerry Dillashaw, Moderator
Jerry recently retired from Elon University where he served as a Dean and a professor in the Department of Education. He is an ordained elder and deacon in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and an ordained deacon in the United Church of Christ. Prior to joining FCUCC, he was a member of the Elon Community United Church of Christ for approximately 24 years. During that time, he served two terms as Chair of the Board of Deacons, Chair of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee and two terms as Moderator of the Congregation. Jerry has also played church hand bells for approximately 30 years.
Jerry recently retired from Elon University where he served as a Dean and a professor in the Department of Education. He is an ordained elder and deacon in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and an ordained deacon in the United Church of Christ. Prior to joining FCUCC, he was a member of the Elon Community United Church of Christ for approximately 24 years. During that time, he served two terms as Chair of the Board of Deacons, Chair of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee and two terms as Moderator of the Congregation. Jerry has also played church hand bells for approximately 30 years.
Spencer Duin, Treasurer
Spencer was born on a farm in Western Minnesota in 1939 of German/Swedish parents. He attended Lutheran elementary and high schools and graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He served in the Army spending 18 months in Turkey. After graduation he worked in the electrical industry for 37 years, retiring from Eaton Corporation in 2000 as an Operating Vice-President.
He has served on several different non-profit boards including a hospital board in Pennsylvania and is currently serving on 2 boards at NDSU and on the Asheville Area Habitat Board where he was the chairman of the “Building a Way Home” Capital campaign. He is currently Treasurer of FCUCC, board member and Chair of the Finance committee. He has been married to Carol for 51 years; have 3 biological children, a 4th through special circumstances, and 7 grandchildren (ages 8 to 19). He tries to improve his golf game as time permits.
Spencer was born on a farm in Western Minnesota in 1939 of German/Swedish parents. He attended Lutheran elementary and high schools and graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He served in the Army spending 18 months in Turkey. After graduation he worked in the electrical industry for 37 years, retiring from Eaton Corporation in 2000 as an Operating Vice-President.
He has served on several different non-profit boards including a hospital board in Pennsylvania and is currently serving on 2 boards at NDSU and on the Asheville Area Habitat Board where he was the chairman of the “Building a Way Home” Capital campaign. He is currently Treasurer of FCUCC, board member and Chair of the Finance committee. He has been married to Carol for 51 years; have 3 biological children, a 4th through special circumstances, and 7 grandchildren (ages 8 to 19). He tries to improve his golf game as time permits.
Ruth Howe
Ruth, along with her husband Richard, joined FCUCC in February 2016. Ruth retired in December 2015 from a large financial institution, where she held various legal and compliance positions over her 33-year career. She served on the Board of Deacons of their MA congregational church, most recently as chair. Ruth and Richard were innkeepers for the most recent Room In the Inn program hosted by FCUCC and count themselves blessed to have traveled to Iona, Scotland, with other church members in June.
Ruth, along with her husband Richard, joined FCUCC in February 2016. Ruth retired in December 2015 from a large financial institution, where she held various legal and compliance positions over her 33-year career. She served on the Board of Deacons of their MA congregational church, most recently as chair. Ruth and Richard were innkeepers for the most recent Room In the Inn program hosted by FCUCC and count themselves blessed to have traveled to Iona, Scotland, with other church members in June.
Tisa Lewis
Tisa was raised moderate Southern Baptist in South Carolina. Around the age of 40, she became a recovering Baptist and in 1998 joined FCUCC where she has served on the Membership Committee, Christian Education Committee, Personnel Committee, and as a deacon.
She taught developmental psychology and faith development at Montreat College for 18 years. There she chaired the Department of Social Sciences and stirred up trouble as often as possible. In 2005, she moved to Pittsburgh, PA to work with the Association of Theological Schools in the US and Canada (ATS). She retired from ATS in 2015 as Senior Director of Accreditation and Institutional Evaluation.
Tisa maintained her membership with FCUCC while in Pittsburgh and upon retirement moved back to her home in Black Mountain. She enjoys movies, boating, hiking, and spoiling her great-nephews.
Tisa was raised moderate Southern Baptist in South Carolina. Around the age of 40, she became a recovering Baptist and in 1998 joined FCUCC where she has served on the Membership Committee, Christian Education Committee, Personnel Committee, and as a deacon.
She taught developmental psychology and faith development at Montreat College for 18 years. There she chaired the Department of Social Sciences and stirred up trouble as often as possible. In 2005, she moved to Pittsburgh, PA to work with the Association of Theological Schools in the US and Canada (ATS). She retired from ATS in 2015 as Senior Director of Accreditation and Institutional Evaluation.
Tisa maintained her membership with FCUCC while in Pittsburgh and upon retirement moved back to her home in Black Mountain. She enjoys movies, boating, hiking, and spoiling her great-nephews.
Bob Park