Invitation to Participate

By in large, these are the groups and committees that make this church work and thrive.
  • NUUsletter Editor: Kim Sinha
    The Editor is in charge of producing our monthly church newsletter from articles and church news submitted by staff, officers, committee chairs, and others. Distribution is accomplished electronically as well as by US Mail. Printed copies are available at the Greeter Tables and in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Religious Education Committee Chairs: Tom Sparhawk and Makanah Morriss
    Director: Karen Castanes
    The Religious Education Committee helps develop and support our Religious Education (R.E.) Program providing nursery care (for infants and toddlers) and U. U. curriculum-based Sunday school classes for children ages 3-18. The Committee encourages all members of our congregation (regardless of whether or not they have children in the program) to experience the joy and new insights gained from R.E. teaching and assisting.
  • Sunday Services Committee Chair: Garry DeVol
    The Sunday Services Committee provides lay leadership for each Sunday Service, guest speakers those Sundays when the Minister does not speak and oversees the details of the services.
  • The Alliance President: Molly McClenon
    The Alliance meets monthly for a brown-bag lunch, fellowship, conversation and a brief program. We send cards to ill or absent members. We raise money by purchasing gift cards from local grocery stores which are resold at a profit to interested church members. Occasionally we meet off-site to visit an exhibit, hear a talk or have lunch.
  • Coffee Hour Coordinator: Joan Butts
    Coffee Hour each Sunday morning provides a time for coffee/tea, good conversations and simple refreshments. Enjoy the coffee/tea and sign up at the Activity Table to help one Sunday. The tasks are easy (set-up, clean-up, sweets, healthy snack) and the rewards are great!
  • Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPS) Coordinators: Briana Shuwarger,
    Jeff Kincaid, and Cathy Touna
    This group celebrates earth-centered holidays, engages in social activities, has informal meditation and/or discussions around earth-centered themes, participates in or leads Sunday Services focusing on earth-based spiritual themes and offers "Rise Up and Call Her Name," an earth-centered UU adult curriculum.
  • Gateway Dinners Coordinators: Bob & Makanah Morriss
    On the 2nd Wednesday of each month, our congregation provides dinner at The Gateway, a center offering housing and support for men putting their lives back on track. Church members and friends sign up at the Activities Table (in the Fellowship Hall) to provide a part of the dinner which they deliver to Gateway (12th and Church streets) by 6:15 p.m. Many of us stay to enjoy the meal with the Gateway residents.
  • God Quest Facilitator: Dick Bain
    God Quest meets the 3rd Sunday of each month at 12 noon in U House and provides a forum where theists, deists, or other sincere seekers will feel comfortable discussing ideas about faith, God, Jesus, etc.
  • Green UUp Coordinators: Jay Kilby and Susan Turner
    The Green-UUp Committee strives to accomplish much more than routine "grounds keeping." Yes, we mow and weed, but we also try to actively engage in an eco-friendly "process" of environmental sustainability. We plan church landscaping, plant and harvest, rake and prune, work on composting projects, and try our best to educate and raise awareness among the church as a whole about the natural world around us. Green UUp tries to meet at least twice a month to accomplish various green tasks around our UU campus, especially during the warmer months. Contact Jay or Susan for times and days. If you enjoy gardening, this is your group!
  • Finance Committee Chair: John Bower
    The Finance Committee monitors church funds, fundraising, and investments. It also prepares the first draft of the annual church budget, which is presented to the Board for discussion and modification before submission to the congregation. The Committee meets as needed. Contact the Chair for meeting times.
  • Library Chair: Linda Mitchell
    This group maintains the Charlotte Stern Library in U House, provides a database of information about the books accessible on the church web site, and changes the monthly display of books in the Fellowship Hall. The Library Committee has work sessions, open library hours, and meetings as needed with date and time posted in the monthly church NUUsletter.
  • Membership Committee Chair: Makanah Morriss
    The Membership Committee, which meets the 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. develops and coordinates a variety of ways in which newcomers and visitors are invited to feel welcome and to become involved in the activities and programs of our congregation. The Committee provides Sunday Greeters each week, assists the Minister with the New to UU Series and with New Member Recognition Sundays, updates the data base and membership directory and checks in with members whom we have not seen for some time.
  • Electronic Communication Coordinators: John and Trudy Phillips
    The church's electronic communication includes: the church's web site (which includes recordings of recent Sunday Services), member mailing lists, the electronic distribution of the newsletter and the member/friend directory. The electronic communication is handled online for the most part. The face-to-face meetings are usually with other committees and groups for their content input. Helping with our "Electronic Communication" is a great opportunity for techno-geeks to use their skills to contribute to the activities of the church.
  • Facilities Committee Coordinator: Molly McClenon
    This group helps organize a Labor Day Clean-up to get ready for the new program year in September as well as other work days as needed. Buildings/ Facilities responds to repair/maintenance needs as they arise. Facilities Committee seldom meets as a committee. All Church members and friends are urged to participate in the Clean-Up Days. Individuals with known skills and expertise are always welcome.
  • Meditation Group Leader: Nancy Allen
    The Meditation Group meets the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 9-9:45 a.m. in U-House parlor. We share together both a guided meditation and an unstructured sitting period with a stretch break and some time for discussion. No previous meditation experience needed. Join us and share the love.
  • Muusic Music Directory: Amy Goode Travis
    The music program provides opportunities for members and friends to creatively express themselves and be an important part of the worship service. It also provides weekly chances for fellowship in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Opportunities are available in large and small group settings as well as for soloists. The Choir meets each Thursday at 7 p.m. and the Chalice Chimes meet each Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Muusic Room in U House. If you enjoy singing and music, do join us.
  • Partner Church Committee and Csegez Cafe Coordinators: Pat Bower and Becky Piatt
    This committee maintains the relationship with our "partner" Unitarian church in the village of Csegez, Transylvania, Romania, primarily by e-mailing with the minister and sending greeting cards to the congregation at holiday times. We raise money through monthly Csegez Cafe luncheons (1st Sunday of the month in the Fellowship Hall) for projects involving our partner church, which may include projects in the village as well as visits by our church members to Transylvania.
  • Social Justice: Diversity and Peacemaking Film Series Coordinator: Don Manning
    This film series, on alternate Sunday evenings at 6 p.m., offers showings of documentary films that present current issues and challenges of our day along with the most current, positive thinking on solutions. Following the film, there is time for dialogue to analyze new ideas and solutions, to problem solve and to evaluate the action steps offered in the film. Getting behind these action steps is a way to equip ourselves with the latest and most creative ideas to share with others.
  • Spectrum Cafe: An Inclusive Haven Coordinators: Kim and Courtney Sinha
    Spectrum Cafe, held the 2nd Saturday of every month from 5-11 p.m., is a cafe for adults, youth, families where all are welcome regardless of age, gender, race, religion, physical or mental ability, sexual or affectional orientation, national origin, familial status, or political beliefs. Hot/cold drinks and light refreshments are provided. Movies, games, books, music, kids' cafe, and good conversation are available.
  • Sunday Discussion Group Co-chairs: Dean Hensly and Kay Gantt
    The Sunday Discussion Group is held each Sunday morning (Sept.-June) at 9:30 a.m. in U House utilizing many different guest speakers. Discussion covers a wide variety of topic from religion to philosophy and politics. Occasionally speakers are asked to address a personal issue or the local impact of an organization in which they may be involved.
  • Archives Committee Coordinator: Jan Goode
    This group is sorting and arranging the church's papers from its start in 1913 to the present in an easily accessible format so that church members may know the past as the congregation plans for the future. The Archives Committee meets on Monday afternoons from 1-5 p.m. in the Unitarian House.
  • Caring and Sharing Committee Chair: Fumiko Radile
    This committee coordinates the needs of members and friends in our church for visits, communication, meals, transportation, etc, with those who can help. Contact the chair to volunteer to help occasionally or if you know someone in need.
  • Committee for Generosity Sunday Facilitators: John and Pat Bower
    This committee, which meets the 2nd Sunday of the month at 11:45 a.m., plans the monthly "Generosity Sunday" special offering to help local community/social action groups. This includes selecting the recipient groups, coordinating information about the group for the Sunday Service, and making sure the offering is sent to the appropriate person at the recipient group.