|
First Unitarian Staff
Organizations
and Committees
2004 Prudential Committee Justine
Beaudoin, Moderator Lay Leadership Council Marjorie Ropp, Sara Glenn, Owen Ryan, Susan Anderson, Peter Gray Church Committees Susan Anderson,
Chair, Membership Committee Prudential Committee The governing board of the church directs and controls the property and the affairs of the Parish. It is a large committee consisting of four elected officers (moderator, vice moderator, clerk and treasurer); three members "at large"; the head assessor (whose job it is to raise the required funding each year); and the chairs of the standing committees. Standing Committees of the Church: Assessors Manage the Annual Canvas of the membership to solicit financial support of church programs and services. The annual canvas also provides parishioners the opportunity to draw closer together as a congregation. The financial generosity of church members is an important expression of the values of our congregation. Building and Grounds This historic church of ours is beautiful, but costly. It requires attention and funding in order to preserve and maintain our valuable heritage. This committee reviews, recommends, plans, and oversees the physical building related items concerning maintenance and repairs, renovations, and new construction. They act as a link between the congregation, various committees and in-house maintenance and outside contractors. If you enjoy historic preservation, are good with your hands, or simply love a challenge this may be the committee for you. Finance Committee members work closely with all church committees dealing with income or expenses. As an oversight committee they make recommendations to the Prudential Committee to assure both short term and long term fiscal health of the church. Nominating The primary function of the Nominating committee is to bring forward nominations for church officers to the congregation. This is done at the annual meeting. Personnel With considerable personnel management expense, this committee ensures the church has up-to-date personnel policies and practices. They assist in the preparation of the personnel budget and meet on a regular basis with the Senior and Associate Ministers and Parish Administration to foster good relations between the church and its employees. Trustees
of the Parish Funds The Trustees of Parish Funds invest and manage
all permanent funds of the parish to provide current income for the
operating expenses of the church, while conforming with the intent of
the donors to the funds and providing for the future, as well as the
current, interest of the church. Trustees are elected by members of
the parish and are knowledgeable about investments and fiduciary responsibility. Committees usually seeking Members: Denominational Affairs The mission statement of this committee is to raise the consciousness of the members of the First Unitarian Church about what's happening in the larger Unitarian Universalist world and to involve our members in its activities. It serves as a link between what's happening in our congregation and what's happening on the district and continental levels to promote our liberal religious view. By keeping our members and officers informed about denominational affairs, this committee promotes participation of our members in district and continental activities such as conferences, workshops, annual meetings and General Assembly. Hospitality This committee is composed of a group of volunteers who coordinate all the hospitality activities each Sunday morning. These individuals arrange for: donation of flowers in the Sanctuary; and scheduling of greeters, head ushers and hosts/hostesses for Fellowship Hour. Human Concerns Formed in December 1988, the committee's resources are used for "outreach projects" including Interfaith Hospitality Network, Worcester Interfaith and Monthly Collections. It responds to needs within the immediate community and beyond. The committee considers requests from the community, evaluates them and makes recommendations to the Prudential Committee on those activities appropriate to the mission of the church and its resources. Membership New and prospective members need to be able to access information about our church. The membership committee welcomes new members and helps visitors. The committee greets newcomers at Fellowship Hour and at other church functions and helps to acquaint them with activities and services. The committee sponsors the "New U" class on Unitarian Universalism, and assists in recognizing new members and introducing them to the congregation. Monday
Night at the Church Each week, "Monday Night at the Church"
is organized by a small group who arrange a fellowship supper and a
program of educational, inspirational, or general interest. All members
of the congregation are welcome to participate on this committee and/or
provide ideas for programs. Festival Choir Although not really a committee, our festival choir consists of volunteers and section leaders/soloists from a wide range of musical backgrounds who come together to provide choral music for worship and meditation. Rehearsals are most Thursday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 and all are welcome without audition. The choir performs about three Sundays per month and has many special "Music Sunday" concerts throughout the year. Parish Services Members of this committee serve shut-ins (home, hospital or nursing home) or those temporarily unable to attend church. Members make home visits, sometimes delivering printed sermons or flowers, and they seek ways in which the ministers and laity of the church can be of help. Religious Education This very active committee assists the Director of Religious Education in selecting preparing and evaluating curriculum for the Sunday School. The committee reviews, makes changes if necessary and approves the RE budget that is proposed by the DRE. The committee also organizes and runs many RE sponsored events during the year. Social The social committee organizes a variety of exciting events with several goals in mind, primarily to help people feel welcome and give all of us the opportunity to connect with one another, They seek to strengthen our friendships and build our community through social activities and fun events. This committee welcomes new ideas and new faces both on the committee and at activities.
|
