2025 Candidates for the Board of Trustees

Candidates for Three Year Terms

Tricia Hillner

I started attending Unity virtually during the pandemic. I had been a life-long member of a United Methodist church, but was searching for something different. During a phone call with Barbara Benson for MOSES committee business, she mentioned that she went to Unity and offered an intriguing synopsis of what the church was about. I visited the website to learn more, then attended a few services virtually. When I came to worship in person I was warmly welcomed and I could feel the sense of community here. After just a few weeks, I knew this was my new spiritual home. I officially became a member in January 2022, at the end of Rev. Evin’s tenure.

I was active in my former church and wanted to find ways to contribute my new congregation. I started by working on the Garden Team and volunteering in the office. As an office volunteer during the time Unity was without a permanent pastor, I got to see how well (and how tirelessly) the Board and other volunteers worked together to keep the church running. I was impressed that a “staff” of volunteers could accomplish that, always displaying grace toward each other and a shared vision. During these last few years I have also sung in the choir, participated in book studies, and was a member of the Landscape Design Team.

Professionally I have worked as a school Speech Language Pathologist; an Academic Coordinator for the Madison School and Community Recreation Department, writing lesson plans for their after school program; a Software Documenter; and an Editor/Proofreader. I had a role on staff at my previous church as Publications Specialist, where I was also involved in discussing church issues and planning quarterly programming with the rest of the staff. In a volunteer capacity at that church I served on the Mission and Vision Statements Team; the Sunday Welcome Team; taught Confirmation; and was a Youth Group mission trip chaperone.

Outside of church, I share my home with my miniature poodle, who provides lots of cuddles and keeps me on my toes. I am active in MOSES, serving on two committees and currently as the organization’s Secretary. I play alto sax in a dance band, and enjoy unwinding with gardening, reading and word puzzles.

I would be honored to serve on the Board of Trustees and contribute to supporting this wonderful spiritual community. Thank you for your consideration.

Jill A. Wilkis

While growing up in Tulsa, OK, my mother read mostly metaphysical and psychological works by such authors as Edgar Cayce, Carl Jung and Ernest Holmes.  The monthly copy of “The Science of Mind” was always on an end table.  As most children, I never showed any interest in these books, but I did have a subscription to “Wee Wisdom” published by Unity.  Even though our church attendance was sporadic, I feel that I was raised in a household guided by new thought principles.

I graduated from Washington University on a Friday in May 1980, and I started working for a consulting company for corporate retirement plans in St. Louis on the following Monday.  Dale and I were married at the Unity Christ Church in St. Louis in 1990, and Daniel was born in 1994.  I became a member of that church in 2000, requiring me to read “Lessons in Truth”.  My mother gave me a copy the book.

Upon my retirement in 2018, Dale and I moved to Madison to be closer to our son.  Retirement has provided me with the opportunity to read the books I inherited from my mother; I used her copy of “Spiritual Economics” in the last Fall’s book study.

In addition to attending Unity of Madison, I also volunteer at the Gamma Phi Beta House on the UW campus.

Candidates for One Year Alternate Positions

Bethany Luther

I have three older brothers, 9, 11 and 13 years older.  Unfortunately, we don’t get together very often.  Our parents got divorced when I was young, and my mom and I moved to Madison where I attended Edgewood High School.  I was raised Catholic.  I went to Milton College for two years until it closed.  After returning home, I worked at a dry cleaner for seven years.

I entered recovery in 1992 and recently celebrated 30+ years of sobriety.  In AA, I met my future husband, we married and had a daughter, Kirbie. 

I worked at several Hallmark stores for 20 years.  Last year, I worked as an adult care giver for one year.

I love watching Badgers, Packers, and Brewers! I love going to concerts, singing and wearing sparkly clothes.

I was asked to apply for the Board, and I think it’s a great honor.  AA teaches us of service, and I think this is a great way.  I love being a greeter and welcoming people. I have a lot yet to learn in my spirituality and I feel this will be a great help.  I look forward to learning more and more.

Joy Ann Engbretson Morgen

Born in Wild Rose, WI, schooled in various WI towns, WSU-Oshkosh and Michigan State University with a B.A. in School Music-Choral and an M.A. Curriculum and Instruction.

Taught in Michigan, Colorado, England and Germany before retiring in Madison in 2014. It didn’t take long to find Unity and I’ve been a member ever since.  The Social Justice Ministry was just forming and I readily joined.  It didn’t take long to know that this would be my spiritual home, so I took a membership class and joined Unity.  From 2017-2019 I served on the Board of Trustees in the capacity of co-treasurer and secretary, during the renovation on the lower and upper levels and a ministerial search.

Ongoing travel has taken me to 34 countries and 36 states.

Enjoy music, reading, movies, theater, folk dance, spiritual study being with family. Travel and life experiences have brought the human condition to the forefront.

Singing is the heartbeat of the soul and being a member/accompanist of The Raging Grannies of Madison and Dane County, provides a means of spreading peace and social justice through a sisterhood of song.