Our Ministry Teams and Committees
Whether we call them “ministries” or “committees,” these dedicated groups of volunteers do the daily work of the congregation, following policies set by the Board of Trustees. The Council of Ministries coordinates the work of our committees.
The ministries of CVUUS exist to carry out CVUUS’s Purpose Statement. Because the Purpose Statement is a living, breathing document, designed to be continually revisited and revised as appropriate by the Board, the ministries of CVUUS must be flexible enough to be responsive to changing priorities.
See our annual report: 2018-9 CVUUS Annual Report
Board Nomination
Mission: Seek members who want to serve on our Board. From the Bylaws: “Nominations for the Board of Trustees and for board officers will be made by a Board Nominating Committee. The Board Nominating Committee consists of the Vice President of the Board and two members of the congregation (who will not be members of the Board) who are elected at the Annual Meeting. Members of the Board Nominating Committee will serve for two-year terms and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.”
Members: Kerri Duquette-Hoffman, Mike Greenwood, Gordon Gibson
Canvass Campaign
Mission: Solicit pledges toward meeting our budget.
2023: Kate Gridley & John Barstow
2022 Chair: CVUUS Board
2021 Chairs: Brett Millier and Karl Lindholm
Caring Network
Mission: Provide support, such as calls, visits, meals, and rides to those in need.
Chair: Kathryn Schloff
Members: Michele Lowy, Dale Birdsall, Marjorie Carsen, Ted Scheu, Ginny Ashenfelter, Lynne Balman
Library of Things: Kathryn Schloff, Michele Lowy, Artley Wolfson
Let’s Eat Together: Dale Birdsall
FUUDIES: Michele Lowy
UU Mobile Shuttle: Judy Sperry
Cards: Susan Humphrey
See Caring Network and Lay Pastoral Care.
Communications Team (non-meeting)
Mission: Oversee our communication efforts including our website, newsletter, weekly blast, Facebook page, advertising, Front Porch Forum posts and service and event flyers.
Members: TBD
Facebook Postings: Donna Blaszczyk
Website Help: Brian Mason, Margy Levine Young, Janice Sabett
Weekly Blast Help: TBD
Bulletin Board Help: Deanne Morse, Ginny Moser
Worship Directory Ad/Graphics: Caitlin Gildrien
Order of Service/Newsletter Help: Allison Cutler, Laura Ferguson, Martha Fulda, Brett Millier
Stream Team: Margy & Jordan Young, Richard Hopkins, Rich Wolfson, Mary Hadley, Julia Chant
Pictures: Susan Humphrey, Kate Gridley, Ellen Flight, Karl Lindholm, Poppy Rees, Kas Singh
Year in Review: Rich Wolfson
Donation Ministry (Share-the-Plate)
Mission: Oversee selection of organizations to receive a portion of our weekly service offerings and arrange for their visibility through display and speaking during worship.
Chair: TBD
Members: Ron Hallman, Allison Cutler, Ash Hickey, Avi Freund, Jean Terwilliger, Chris Murphy
See Sharing Our Donation Plate.
Facilities Committee
Mission: Ensure the short and long-term maintenance of the buildings and grounds of CVUUS in a manner which will support and contribute to spiritual growth of congregants and staff and which facilitates the Society’s efforts to promote social and environmental justice in our community and the world.
Chair: Bob House
Members: Mitch Kramer, Paul Stone, Llyn Rice, Alan Moore, Seth Gibson, Miles Peterle, Scott Barkdoll (Jay H, Jean T, David D, Scott S, Neil C, Sue R, Ely F copied)
Art Policy: Kate Gridley
Banner Policy: John Barstow
Blue Jeans Sunday: Bob House, Gerry Loney
Ground Floor Project: Steve Maier, Jay Harrington, Paul Stone, Llyn Rice, Mitch Kramer, Jean Terwilliger, Artley Wolfson, Marty Kulczyk, Kate Gridley.
Landscape: Sue Rasmussen, Dinah Smith, Gerry Loney, Sheila & Bob House
Lower Level Use Coordination: Lise Anderson, Miles Peterle, Mike Greenwood
Sanctuary Door Code: Llyn Rice
Sanctuary Upper Windows: Paul Stone
Signage/Lighting/Extinguishers: Mitch Kramer
Snow clearing: Keith Rickerby (formerly Karl Lindholm, Bob House, Ron Hallman, Richard Hopkins, Gayle Muenchow, Alan Moore)
Sound System: Margy Young, Alan Moore, Mitch Kramer
Tech Help: Jordan & Margy Young, Brian Mason, Monty Montgomery, Mary Hadley
Solar Electric: Rich Wolfson
This committee cares for our sanctuary, Fenn House, and grounds. See also Rental of Our Building.
Fellowship/Membership/Hospitality Ministry
Mission: Welcome congregants, guests and newcomers and enroll members. Provide snacks and beverages for worship services.
Chair: Mike Greenwood & Alan Moore
Ushers: Avi Freund, Helene Vanderburgh, Brett Millier, Dinah Smith
Hospitality: Donna B, Julie & Neil Chippendale, Gayle Muenchow, Margy Young, Ollie Cultrara, Ann Webster, John Barstow and Pat Schmitter have helped as needed.
See Become a Member.
Finance Committee
Mission: Draft and oversee our budget.
Chair: Ann Webster
Members: Alan Moore, Mary Conlon, John Berninghausen, Rich Wolfson, Mary Hadley
Donation Ministry: see above.
Money Counting: Mary Conlon, Steve Butterfield, Janice Sabett, Dorothea Langevin, Alan Moore, Mary Hadley, Dale Birdsall
Planned Giving: John Berninghausen, Rich Wolfson, Ann Webster
UU’re Home: seeking leader
Flower Co-op
Mission: Coordinate flowers and seasonal decorations for weekly services and special events.
Chairs: Marnie Wood, Dinah Smith
Members: Alice Berninghausen, Bobbie Carnwath, Chris Murphy, Jess Danyow, Susie Patterson, Revell Allen, Hilary Hatch
Flowers: Catie Raishart’s Foxglove Farm, Revell Allen’s CSA
December Decorating: Bobbie Carnwath or Kathryn Schloff (tree/ inside wreath), Chris Murphy or Alice Berninghausen (outside peace wreath)
Gatekeeping
Alan Moore, Carol Harden, Marnie Wood, Kate Gridley, Barb Karle, Abi Sessions, Bobbie Carnwath, Nita Hanson, John Barstow, Mitch Kramer, Lise Anderson, Elizabeth Golden, Revell Allen, Lise Anderson, Miles P, Alice Berninghausen, Dorothy Mammen, Mike Greenwood, Anne Christie, Allison Cutler, Becky Strum, Janice Sabett
Green Sanctuary Committee
Mission: Address our congregation’s need for greater environmental awareness and encourage participation of all of our congregants in constructive and meaningful environmental action. (From GSC Action Plan)
Chair: Lise Anderson
Members: Jean Terwilliger, Mary Hadley, Steve Maier, Sue Rasmussen, Steve Butterfield, Mike Greenwood, Terry Racich, Richard Hopkins, Elizabeth Golden
See A Green Sanctuary.
Leadership Development Team
Mike Greenwood, Colleen Brown, Bobbi Loney, John Barstow
Library & Information Resources
Mission: Acquire, organize and promote access to our congregation’s library, book sale cart, and other information resources.
Chair: Artley Wolfson
Members: Bobbi Loney (children’s books), Sheila House (CUUK books), Barb Karle (sub), Elizabeth Golden (book sales), Ann Ross (history, archives)
See The CVUUS Library.
Middlebury College UU Students
Formerly Tyler McDowell, Allie Izzard, Sky (Celeste Allen)
Music Ministry Team
Mission: Oversee music for worship and special events or venues.
Carol Harden, Revell Allen, Ronnie Romano, Chris Murphy, Marjorie Carsen
Choir: Steve Maier, Priscilla Bremser, Revell Allen, Larry Vanderburgh, Dale Birdsall, Brett Millier, Carol Harden, Rosalie Cryan, Neil Chippendale, Janie Wulff, Anne Christie, Chris Murphy, Marjorie Carsen, Kate Gridley, John Barstow, Martha Fulda, Marnie Wood, Ginny Ashenfelter, Ann Webster, Dee Carroll, Jean Terwilliger, Avi Freund, Dorothea Langevin, Joan Soper, Liam Battjes Greenwood, Kimberli Gray, Ash Hickey
Parent Group “Livelies”
Babysitting, dinner, and homework help for CVUU children.
Members: Kate Gridley & John Barstow, Abi & Bill Sessions, Ellen Flight, Revell Allen
Pastoral Care
Mission: Provide temporary counseling support to members and friends in various kinds of distress.
Members: Jordan Young, Marjorie Carsen
See Caring Network and Lay Pastoral Care.
Personnel
Mission: Provide oversite and policy with regard to hiring practices, benefits, salaries, and conflict resolution.
Chair: Gordon Gibson
Members: Mary Conlon, Connor Timmons
Religious Exploration Council
Mission: Provide children, youth, young adults, and adults an opportunity to explore, reflect, and learn in a nurturing spiritual community.
Co-Chairs: Tracey Harrington and Jessica Rouse
Nursery Care: Sydney Singh & Emma McKee
RE Teachers: See Religious Exploration
Coordinated, overseen by the Director of Religious Education
Ensures that people of all ages grow and flourish as human beings and as Unitarian Universalists through education, action, and reflection on their experiences. Included in our Faith Development Ministry:
- Religious exploration programs for children
- Youth programs
- Nursery
See Lifespan Learning at CVUUS.
Rhubarb Festival
Mary Hadley, Lise Anderson, Sheila House, Gayle Muenchow, Elizabeth Golden, Chippendales, Vanderburghs, Brett Millier, Dinah Smith, Sue Rasmussen, Kathryn Schloff, Martha Soderberg, Michele Lowy, Mary & Peter Conlon, Jean Terwilliger
Right Relations Team
Mission: Ready to hear your feelings and needs regarding difficulty with another congregant or staff member, helping you get them addressed and keeping connections healthy.
Members: Joanna Colwell, John Barstow, and Anne Christie
Safe Congregation Team
Chair: Alan Moore
Members: Rev. Barnaby Feder, Poppy Rees, Will Porter, Mike Greenwood, Laura Asermily, Ronnie Romano (Richard Hopkins, Dr. Paul Seward and Dr. Morris Earle consulted as needed on health matters)
Board’s COVID 19 Policy Advisory Team: Rev. Barnaby, Will Porter, Priscilla Bremser, Kerri Duquette-Hoffman, Jean Terwilliger
Sangha (Meditation Group)
Dinah Smith, Colleen Brown, Van Van Order, Bobbie Carnwath, Tracey Harrington.
Service Auction (Radical Love Giveaway)
Mary Hadley & Priscilla Bremser, Donna B, Terry Racich, Lise Anderson, Piper Harrell, Connie Leach & Chris Prickitt have been previous leaders.
Small Group Ministry
Mission: Deepen and broaden personal spiritual growth by meeting in small groups of 8-10 members at each others’ homes or CVUUS, usually once every month to focus on a spiritual or religious topic.
Chair: needed
Doug Richards, Dinah Smith, Alan Moore, Helene Vanderburgh
See Small Group Ministry.
Parent Group: Tracey Harrington
Retirement Group: Dinah Smith
Residence at Otter Creek GrUUp: Mary Lou Bright
Native Moons & Natural Mindfulness: Liam and Mike Greenwood
Cingles: Revell Allen, Marjorie Carsen, Monty Montgomery
Social Justice Action
Addison County Interfaith Climate Action Network: Steve Maier, Bobbie Carnwath
Black Lives Matter (BLM) Ally Group: See SURJ
Community Lunch/Dinner: Alan Moore, Revell Allen
Class Equity: Board
Crop Walk: Poppy Rees & Bobbi Loney
Food Justice: Paul Stone
Food Shelf Donations: seeking leader
Gleaning: seeking leader
Guest at Your Table: Bobbi Loney
GunSense: seeking leader
Habitat for Humanity: Dale Birdsall, Bob House, Bobbie Carnwath, Alan Moore
Hunger Council: Seeking rep
LGBTQIA+: Ollie Cultrara, Jordan Young
Meals on Wheels: Monday UU team: Mary Conlon, Mike Greenwood (sub), Bob House. Other routes: Barbara Merz, Bethany Barry, Van VanOrder, Carolyn Brewer.
Mexican Consulate/Migrants: Lise Anderson & Miles Peterle, Martha Fulda, Alan Moore, Chris Murphy, Mary Saudade
Open Door Clinic: Heidi Sulis, Jordan Young
Peace Day: Rich Hennessey, Donna Blaszczyk
Refugee Resettlement: Abi Sessions
SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice): Joanna Colwell, Kathy Comstock
UU United Nations Liaison: seeking rep
Voting Related Groups (Indivisible/Middlebury Huddle Groups/3 Flipping Things): Kate Gridley, Barb Karle, Bethany Barry, Gail Borden, Mike Roy
VT Workers Center: Donna Blaszczyk
WomenSafe: Dottie Nelson (Kerri Duquette-Hoffman, Amy Mason, Joanna C)
Writing Group
Bobbi Loney
Worship Ministry
Mission: Provide the congregation with varied, coherent services that are spiritually deep as well as intellectually, existentially, and morally challenging.
Chair: Ellen Flight
Worship Associates: Abi Sessions, Karl Lindholm, Esther Charlestin, Becky Strum, Donna Blaszczyk, Martha Fulda, Tom Morgan, Liam Battjes Greenwood
TFAA: Poppy Rees
Stream team: Margy and Jordan Young, Richard Hopkins, Rich Wolfson, Mary Hadley
Sound: Alan Moore, Margy Young, Mary Hadley
Music: Ronnie Romano
Zoom hosts/social hour: Jordan Young, Abi Sessions, Steve Butterfield, Poppy Rees
See our Worship page.
Youth Group
Poppy Rees