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.

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: Hannah Sessions, Colleen Brown, and either Mike Greenwood or Laurie Borden

Canvass Campaign

Mission: Solicit pledges toward meeting our budget.

2018 Chair: Neil and Julie Chippendale

Caring Network

Mission: Provide support, such as calls, visits, meals, and rides to those in need.

Chair:  Nita Hanson

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

Date Night

Babysitting, dinner, and homework help for CVUU children.

Members: Kate Gridley & John Barstow

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: Jason Duquette-Hoffman

Members: Barb Karle, Ashleigh Hickey, Monty Montgomery, 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 (Jay H, Jean T, Dave D, Scott S, Seth G, Neil C, Miles Peterle copied)

This committee cares for our sanctuary, Fenn House, and grounds. See also Rental of Our Building.

Finance Committee

Mission: Draft and oversee our budget.

Chair: Mary Hadley

Members: Alan Moore, Mary Conlon, John Berninghausen, Rich Wolfson

Capital Campaign Team (Ground Floor): Steve Maier, Brett Millier, Connie Leach, Kate Gridley, Barb Drapelick, Ellen Flight

Flower Co-op

Mission: Coordinate flowers and seasonal decorations for weekly services and special events.

Chairs: Marnie Wood, Dinah Smith

Members: Sue Grigg, Alice Berninghausen, Bobbie Carnwath, Chris Murphy

December Decorating: Bobbie Carnwath (tree/ inside wreath), Chris Murphy or Alice Berninghausen (outside peace wreath)

Gatekeeping

Martha Soderberg, Alan Moore, Carol Harden, Johanna Nichols, Barbara Drapelick, Marnie Wood, Kate Gridley, Barb Karle, Abi Sessions, Bobbie Carnwath, Nita Hanson, John Barstow,  Mitch Kramer, Mary Ann Deverell, Donna & Shannon LaRose, Lise Anderson, Elizabeth Golden

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: Elizabeth Golden

Members: Cindi Gillen, Mary Hadley, Steve Maier, Sue Rasmussen, Jean Terwilliger, Mary Benoit, Elizabeth Cultrara

See A Green Sanctuary.

Hospitality Ministry

Mission: Provide snacks and beverages for worship services.

Chair: Elizabeth Golden,

Julie & Neil Chippendale, Sylviane Acker,  Jessica Rouse, Elizabeth Cultrara.

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: Lois Alberts, Bobbi Loney, Sheila House, Barb Karle, Elizabeth Golden

See The CVUUS Library.

Membership Ministry

Mission: Welcome congregants, guests and newcomers and enroll members.

Chair: Marjorie Carsen

Members: Barb Drapelick, Mary Louise Bright, Sheila House, Pat Schmitter, Carol Harden

Greeters: All above, plus Marnie Wood, Lois Alberts, Mary Ann Deverell, John Barstow, David Durgin, Dinah Smith, Carol Harden, Monty Montgomery, Donna LaRose

Name tags: Ginny Ashenfelter

See Become a Member.

Middlebury College UU Students

Tyler McDowell, Izzie Cass, Allie Izzard

Music Ministry Team

Mission: Oversee music for worship and special events or venues.

Chair: Kate Gridley

Lucy Tenenbaum, Poppy Rees, Chuck Miller, Shannon LaRose, Carol Harding

Pastoral Care

Mission: Provide temporary counseling support to members and friends in various kinds of distress.

Chairs: Sue Grigg and Laurie Borden, Marjorie Carsen

See Caring Network and Lay Pastoral Care.

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

Members: Kas Singh, Natali West,  Martha Alexander, Molly Andres, Catie Raishart

Nursery Assistant:  Journey LaRose

Childcare: Jackie Derse, Journey LaRose, others TBD

RE Teachers: See Religious Exploration

Kids for Kids: Jess Danyow

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.

Retreat/Labor Day Picnic

Carol and Marty Kulczyk, Paul and Frances Stone

Rhubarb Festival

Mary Hadley, Sheila House, Elizabeth Golden, Chippendales, Brett Millier, Pat Schmitter, Mary Ann Deverell, Dinah Smith, Martha Soderberg

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

Passover Seder

Marjorie Carsen, Michele Lowy

Safe Congregations Team

Chair: Mike Greenwood,

Members: Rev. Barnaby Feder, Poppy Rees, Will Porter, Alan Moore

Sangha (Meditation Group)

Colleen Brown, Van Van Order.

Meets every Sunday evening.

Service Auction (Radical Love Giveaway)

Seeking leaders. (Mary Hadley, Donna LaRose, Piper Harrell, Connie Leach & Chris Prickitt 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, usually once every two weeks to focus on a spiritual or religious topic.

Chair: Doug Richards

Marjorie Carsen, Matha Fulda, Karl Lindholm, Dinah Smith

See Small Group Ministry.

Social Justice Action

Women’s Group

Elizabeth Golden

Writing Group

Nancy Means-Wright

Worship Ministry

Mission: Provide the congregation with varied, coherent services that are spiritually deep as well as intellectually, existentially, and morally challenging.

Chair: Ann Webster

Youth Group

Gail Borden and Heidi Sulis (and Allie Izzard in the Fall)