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Our Teams
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Committee on Ministry
Ministry refers to all the activities of our congregation that attend
to and serve our members, friends, and the community and world of which
we are a part. These activities are shaped and directed by our understanding
of our mission and include, Sunday services and programs, functions
of a professional minister, our various teams and committees, RE classes,
etc.
The purpose of the Committee on Ministry is to evaluate and advise the
effectiveness with which the entire congregation's lay and professional
minister are fulfilling the congregation's mission. The Committee on
Ministry is an advisory, educational, and conciliatory body. In doing
this work, it is responsible to the congregation and acts as its agent.
We would be pleased to reply to your questions, comments or concerns.
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Finance
Responsible for the financial health of the congregation, which involves
budgeting, paying bills and off course raising the money to pay them.
Finance runs most of our fund raisers including the pledge drive, auction,
ethnic dinner and garage sale .Currently the team is lead by Bill Hoffman
with Saritha Clements, Sydelle Postman and Ron Hilliard assisting.
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Membership
The Membership Team companions people on their spiritual journey
by welcoming, informing, introducing, answering, engaging, encouraging,
allowing, connecting, nurturing, fostering, and supporting potential
and current members and friends of the congregation.
Current members include Donna Buono, Tom Gundling, Cassandra Jennings-Hall, Maurene Laffey, Karen Washington.
We are always looking for new ways to do this. Currently we coordinate
the set-up of our fellowship coffee hour to ensure that it is a friendly
and nurturing environment for all. We have a Welcome Table in
place to welcome visitors to our congregation. A member of the team
is available each Sunday to provide information to our visitors and
answer any questions they may have regarding our congregation and/or
Unitarian Universalism. We host orientations during the year-informal
gatherings of people interested in learning more about UUism and our
congregation.
Caring Connections is that part of our team that reaches out
to those in need within our congregation. We send cards to members and
friends that may be feeling ill, had a wonderful event in their life,
or just to say hello if we haven't seen someone in a while. We reach
out to the congregation when a member may need a ride to a doctor's
appointment, a cheerful visit or a shoulder to lean on.
To foster connections within the congregation we schedule events such
as the Welcome Back Picnic and Circle Suppers. Circle
Suppers are intimate dinners where members and friends to meet at
each other's home to share a meal, conversation and laughter.
This is just a sample of who we are, what we do and how we do it. We
welcome new members. Come join our team as we move forward on our journey.
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Racial and Social Justice
The Racial and Social Justice Team grew out of the UUCP participation
in the UUA Antiracist Multicultural Congregations Pilot Project. The
Team has a 3-strand focus which includes: anti-racism and anti-oppression
work, social service work, and the work of celebrating diversity. The
UUCP Vision Statement and the UUCP Resolution On Anti-Racism are the
guidelines for the development of the tasks and functions of the Justice
Team.
This team meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month at Arlene Corsano's
at noon. Call to confirm.
What We Do:
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Plan and implement programs of antiracism and anti-oppression study
and action.
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Serve the homeless and the hungry.
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Create alliances with community and religious groups to foster
racial and social justice education and action.
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Sponsor celebrations of our diversity of race, ethnicity, culture,
gender, sexual orientation, and age.
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Acknowledge and develop the connection between justice seeking
and the spiritual.
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Program
Program Team is in charge of coordinating all of our services as well
as special services such our annual retreat. Meetings are monthly, posted
on our ca lender, and anyone with ideas or a willingness to contribute
is invited to attend.
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Religious Education
Children's Ministry
UUCP's Religious Education program, the Children's Circle, runs every
Sunday September-June from 10:00-11:15 a.m. in a room adjacent to the
congregation's meeting place. Emmadora Boutcher, a high school student
and daughter of members Arta and Jerry Boutcher, has been hired to teach
the class, and an adult volunteer is always available to assist her.
Emmadora and our minister work on lesson plans together, coordinating
the selection of a book and craft project with the season or UU curriculum.
The children's Order of Service includes ritual chalice lighting, singing
"The Seven UU Principles" to the tune of Do Re Mi, reading,
craft, and extinguishing of the chalice. Upon occasion, the children
join the adults for Closing Circle. After the service, the children
may join their parents for refreshments.
Adult Programs
We look forward to offering new programs for adults. Last year member
Judy Manton introduced a series that explored various faiths. Guests
spoke about their beliefs, traditions, and values. Group questions and
answers followed.
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Tech Team
Well, not truly a team, but Michael Meyers-Jouan, Jon King, Lisa Trager
(with occasional help from her talented family) and Tom Hart administer
the website and mailing lists and occasional meet in person or online
to discuss technological solutions to UUCP issues.
Should one of them grab the bull by the horns, so to speak, hopes and
dreams include:
Anyone wishing to join the team or help out on any particular project
should contact a team member.
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Small Group Ministry
Small Group Ministry is in its second year at UUCP with nearly 1 in
3 UUCPers meeting monthly in three separate groups. For a congregation
our size, we consider this to be a tremendous success.
We gather in groups of 5-10 to explore our beliefs, both spiritual and
otherwise. The groups are supportive and confidential. Discussions are
centered around topics each month to keep them focused, and folks are
given an adequate time to speak so that all can find their voice.
Surprising things happen as each of us speaks from within and we take
the time to listen to each other and to ourselves. Bonds and relationships
within each group deepen over time. Members talk about the group as
an opportunity for spiritual practice, as a way to increase capacity
to listen and explore differences, and as a way to minister to and to
be ministered to by others.
The Unitarian Universalist Association, our governing body, sees small
group ministry as a vital part of the future of Unitarian Universalism.
At UUCP, those of us involved already know that small group ministry
enables personal and communal growth and connection. We invite you to
speak with a member of the steering committee (Bonnie Savitz, Cassandra
Jennings Hall, Martha Patton, Jody Burrows and Debbie Peres) if you
would like to join a group.
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