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

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

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)

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

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

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

Youth Group

Poppy Rees