Our Board of Trustees
Robyn Miessler-Kubanek
Board President
Robyn has been a member since 2007 and participated in many teams from worship to ministerial search to serving on the board. She is rejoining the board to help build on our new ministry with Rev. Carin. When she is not hanging out with Peoples people, she plays games, knits, cares for her growing collection of houseplants, and entertains two high maintenance dogs.
Steve Hershner
Board Member
Steve’s involvement with Peoples Church goes back 50+ years. He is deeply committed to and believe whole-heartedly in the mission and work of this church and Unitarian Universalism more broadly.
After retiring in 2020 from the City of Cedar Rapids Utilities Department with 30 years’ experience, he enjoys riding his bike, working on several non-profit activities, and has re-engage with Peoples Church in a variety of ways.
His general strengths of listening and availability, coupled with his professional background of financial oversight, facilities planning, and developing systems to improve organizational health and communication make him a valuable board member.
He appreciates the good work implemented by Developmental Minister, Rev. Rebecca, and the Board leadership since 2016, and plans to do everything he can to support these past efforts to improve our policy governance structure. Steve stated, “We will all need to work closely with an interim minister to help us maintain and advance this progress as we begin taking the steps necessary to call a settled minister.”
Marcy Mattison
Board Member
I am drawn to places without sidewalks, and loves books, trees and dogs. A graphic designer with a background in fine arts/drawing from the the U of Iowa, I have shared my creative talents with Peoples over the years.
Peoples has been in my life since the early 1980s. Attending NOW meetings in the old building on 3rd Avenue, becoming a member in the early ’90s under the late Rev. Dr. Linda Hansen, and having served in various “official” capacities: RE committee (now Faith Formations), three terms on the Board, and interim search committee. I’ve taken on other roles, too, from painting walls to helping publish the Voice, and more recently, working with Heritage, Interiors, and Sesquicentennial teams. I’m also a proud member of one of the original Covenant groups, the No Rules group.
The hard work and profound steps Peoples has taken to define itself as a compassionate, spiritual community in each challenge, inspires me. As a church we have built and sustained a solid foundation through our Peoples community, vision, and UU principles – and we are thriving!
Lu Wilcox
Board Member
Lucero (Lu) Wilcox has been an active Peoples participant since 2016. She was raised in the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Davenport and is excited to bring her experiences to the Peoples board. Her three children participate in the Faith Formation program and keep her focused on ‘what is on the schedule TODAY.’ As a result she has no spare time, but plenty of scheduled hiking, reading and play time.
Sue Davis
Board Member
Whether chatting over a cuppa, or winding up a big project, Sue Davis is your woman. From her service on varied community boards and church teams she knows Governance Policy. She loves travel and solving puzzles which lend themselves to deep perspectives for Peoples Church. She and her husband Jerry have hosted Peoples Spiritfests at their Amana Colonies home.
Bob Butikofer
Board Member
I joined Peoples Church soon after my wife, Kathy Juba, and I got married, and I moved to Cedar Rapids about 15 years ago. Prior to that I was a member of The United Church of Christ Cedar Falls, a liberal Christian church.
Believing that finances are and must be a part of every church’s business, I have been actively involved with the Stewardship Committee for the last 8 pledge campaigns and with the Finance Committee for slightly longer than that. For each of those years our congregation has had increasing pledges – congratulations to our congregation!
I feel that we must continue to maintain our church building and grounds and grow the programs of the church with the financial support of the current membership AND we must also commit to membership growth in the coming years.