| |
Our Teams
|
|
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.
|
| |
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 Steve Savitz
with Saritha Clements, Sydelle Postman and Ron Hilliard assisting.
|
| |
Membership
Current Team Members are Donna Buono, Tom Gundling, Maurene Laffey and Karen Washington, with support from Cassandra Jennings-Hall and Michael Meyers Jouan.
The "M-Team" coordinates 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. At least one member of the M-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. The M-Team reaches out to meet new visitors at Sunday service by asking them to fill out a Visitor Card and then follows up by sending a welcome letter from our minister. In addition the M-Team works closely with our minister in scheduling and organizing Orientation Classes which are informal gatherings of people interested in learning more about UUism and our congregation and New Member Sundays which formally and warmly welcome new members into UUCP.
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. The contact person for this activity is Maurene Laffey, who can be reached at (201) 244-5811 or email Maurene.
To foster connections within the congregation we schedule events such as the Welcome Back Picnic at the beginning of the church year and Circle Suppers which are intimate dinners where members and friends meet at each other's home to share a meal, conversation and laughter.
This is just a sample of who we are and what we do, and we always welcome new M-Team members. Come join our team as we move forward on our journey.
|
| |
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:
-
Plan and implement programs of antiracism and anti-oppression study
and action.
-
Serve the homeless and the hungry.
-
Create alliances with community and religious groups to foster
racial and social justice education and action.
-
Sponsor celebrations of our diversity of race, ethnicity, culture,
gender, sexual orientation, and age.
-
Acknowledge and develop the connection between justice seeking
and the spiritual.
The Tenth Annual UUCP JaZZEvent will take place in the spring of 2009.
The Racial&Social Justice Team, coordinators of the Congregation's yearly celebration of America's classical music, is brainstorming ideas for an event that will surpass the 'ninth annual'.
There was standing room only on May 16, 2008 for the ninth annual Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades JaZZEvent featuring piano virtuoso, composer, educator James Weidman, and the William Paterson University Jazz Chamber Ensemble.
An engaging talk by Dr. Robert Fullilove of Columbia University reminded us of the humble, yet noble roots of the unique American original :Jazz. From field hollers, spirituals, gospel, the blues, Jazz with open arms has welcomed a variety of musical genres as it continues to evolve as our classical American music.
One of the many highlights of the evening was the presentation of the annual UUCP award for "outstanding contribution to the advancement of Jazz" to our 2008 honoree, James Weidman.
In conjunction with the Puffin Cultural Forum UUCP was able to make a significant donation to the William Paterson University Jazz Studies Program through the James Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund.
UUCP's mission includes a commitment to anti-racism, radical inclusiveness, and multiculturalism. Our yearly JaZZEvent is an exciting merging of mission and music.
What would be the special ingredients of an unforgettable 10th anniversary UUCP JaZZEvent? We welcome your suggestions!
|
| |
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.
|
| |
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. The Religious Education Team and the minister together have chosen the curriculum, Timeless Themes, for the basis of this year’s classes. One of our senior youth teaches the class with the assistance of an adult volunteer.
Most Sundays, the children begin worship together with the adults before going to their class. One Sunday a month, the children begin in their classroom with Children’s Worship.
Timeless Themes: The children are introduced to the biblical literature central to our cultural heritage and to the human issues that inspired these scriptures: the timeless themes of loneliness, loyalty, trust, jealousy, transcendent power, human responsibility, love of freedom, speaking out against injustice, respect for the beliefs of others, love of one’s neighbor and forgiveness. In discussing Bible issues, children are invited to think about Unitarian Universalist values.
|
|
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.
Long term plans include:
-
Redesigning the website and upgrading for direct changes of content by team leaders.
- Creating a higher quality paper newsletter.
Anyone wishing to join the team or help out on any particular project
should contact a team member.
|
|
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.
|
