The Congregational Council of Plymouth Church UCC is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Malae as Secretary and Jerry Rice as Treasurer.
Council Secretary: Robert Malae
On behalf of Council, we wish to share that on May 22, 2024, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Robert Malae, Member in Covenant with Plymouth, as Secretary for the Council. The bylaws provide for interim vacancies to be filled by the Council so that this can happen quickly. Under state law, the church is a non-profit organization and must have officer positions filled in order to operate. This appointment is to fill the position of Secretary upon Ara Lawrence’s resignation. The appointment will be effective immediately and will end when the church holds its Annual Meeting in January 2025 to call for the election of officers. (See Robert’s biography below.)
Going forward, the Church Council will streamline its official announcements and all other communications through the Secretary. We believe that this means of communication will help to foster better clarity for the Congregation, Staff, Clergy, Church Council, Lay Leaders, Committees and Ministry Boards.
Executive leadership team and with Church Council: Matthew Durland - Moderator; Dr. Tiffany Johnson - Vice Moderator; Elder Jerry Rice - Treasurer; Robert Malae - Secretary; Karen Gwilym; Dr. Gilda Sheppard; Kate Forrester; Alex Korahais; Michael Gordon
Robert’s pronouns are He/Him. Robert is a former corporate counsel, legal manager, employment lawyer and Diversity Equity and Inclusion investigator with experience in both the private and public sector. Most recently, Robert served on the Washington State Supreme Court Appointed Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board for the Washington State Bar Association. He currently serves on the board of directors with Plymouth Healing Communities, as co-chair for the Development Committee and as co-chair for the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee. Robert is grateful for this opportunity to serve this faith community: “It is the space where I get to feed my faith and follow Jesus. I’m grateful for the work that is done here and the work that is done in the world through the church.”
On behalf of the Church Council, I share that on June 26, 2024, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Elder Jerry Rice, Member in Covenant with Plymouth, as Treasurer for the Council, to fill the position of Treasurer upon Mark Sandstrom’s resignation. The bylaws provide for interim vacancies to be filled by the Council so that this can happen quickly. Under state law, the church is a non-profit organization and must have officer positions filled in order to operate. This appointment was effective July 1, 2024, and will end when the church holds its Annual Meeting in January 2025 to call for the election of officers. (See Jerry’s biography below.)
-Robert Malae
Secretary/Executive Board Member
Church Council, Plymouth Congregational Church - United Church of Christ
Jerry’s pronouns are He/Him. He holds several business designations and certifications including but not limited to CLCS, CHA, CTA. Jerry currently serves as a commercial insurance advisor and brings extensive experience in financial management in various corporate settings, including but not limited to the hospitality industry and commercial insurance industry. Jerry is currently serving on two boards of directors and committees for the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, as well as the Bellevue Convention Center Authority. Jerry has extensive experience in ensuring Return on Investments (ROI) for his clients. His personal philosophy is that Plymouth Church is a business, a 501(c)(3) entity with significant resources that must be managed with appropriate stewardship, sustainable ROI and personal integrity. Jerry sees this appointment as a spiritual calling and practice to growing the Kin-dom of God!