Welcome from David Pyle and Bishop C. Knight

David Pyle

a white man

Fall is often a time when congregations welcoming and integrate new staff members, and the same is true of the MidAmerica Region. Only 4 years ago this fall, I transitioned from serving on the New England and Central East Regional Staffs to being the MidAmerica Regional Lead. We have also welcomed this fall both QuianaDenae Perkins and Lauren Wyeth onto the MidAmerica team, and we said goodbye to Andrew Zallar, who served as our Finance and Administration Manager for over four years. Andrew has left to become the Deputy Director of Finance and Operations for the Arts Alliance Illinois. We are grateful for his time with us and wish him well.

Over the summer, Bishop C, Knight joined our MidAmerica Team as the Events and Communications Coordinator, and Bishop has agreed to transition to the role of Regional Administrator, a position that will combine much of her previous role with the overall administration of the Region. Bishop comes to our team with a wide range of experience in communications and administrative management, and some experience within Unitarian Universalism. We are grateful she said yes! We wanted to use this MidAmerica Messenger to not only announce this shift in our staffing, but to give Bishop an opportunity to introduce herself. So, without further ado… Welcome Bishop to the MidAmerica Team!

Bishop C. Knight

A brown woman.

It's been a special time, settling into the team with fellow newbies QuianaDenae and Lauren. In Lauren's welcome last month, she wrote about how we need one another, and every single day I have experienced this prayerful intention manifested not only amongst the MidAmerica Staff, but also throughout the entire Unitarian Universalist Association. Additionally, I have quickly learned that the UUA community continues to cherish members who have contributed in the past but have since moved onto other professional settings, as we all will remember Andrew Zallar with gratitude. From the minute I submitted my application to work with the UUA, I wished to be right here sharing community with you, and now I will bring my gratitude into this opportunity and transition towards the position of Regional Administrator for the MidAmerica Team.

I promise that I will will do my best for the MidAmerica Region, as well as each of the other regions. Heartfelt gratitude to Andrew Zaller, David Pyle, Dawn E. Robinson, Jessica Curran, Adrian Ballou, Marta Valentín, Beth Casebolt, and Connie Goodbread for conversations that not only acclimate me to my role, but chats that provide insight into the curiosity and covenant of Unitarian Universalism. Both the joy and strength of our community is truly nourishing. In addition to the weekly meetings and Outlook emails, I intend to collaborate productively and grow positively with you. Thank you for the warm welcome, and I wish you all the things that are fabulously fall – warm cider, colorful foliage, gourds and pumpkins on porches, crisp and refreshing winds.

Bishop

Bishop C. Knight (she/her/hers) initially joined the MidAmerica Regional Staff as the Events and Communications Coordinator. Bishop lives in Chicago, Illinois. Before joining the staff in late July 2023, Bishop provided administrative support to research professionals at Northwestern University Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute. During her free time, Bishop bakes, cooks, listens to foodie podcasts, and tends to her houseplants.