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, Mike Greenwood, Gordon Gibson, Doug Richards

Stewardship Campaign

Mission: Solicit pledges toward meeting our budget.

2026: Steve Maier, Heidi Sulis, Micelle Spohnheimer, others

2024-25: Steve Maier, Heidi Sulis, Kate Gridley, John Barstow, Andrea Sambrook, Alan Moore, Ellen Flight, Mary Hadley, Mary Conlon, Rev. Tricia

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

Mission: Oversee our communication efforts including our website, newsletter, weekly blast, Facebook page, advertising, Front Porch Forum posts and service and event flyers.

Members: Laura Asermily, Margy Young, Mary Hadley, Hannah Sessions

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: Jean Terwilliger

Members: Avi Freund, Liam Battjes Greenwood, seeking others

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: Wayne Spohnheimer, Mitch Kramer, Paul Stone, Llyn Rice, Alan Moore, Miles Peterle, Scott Barkdoll, Terri Arnold, Jean Terwilliger (James Cole, Walt Koenig, David D, Neil C, Sue R, Kate F, Marty K, Seth Gibson, Paul Vaczy, John Stark, David Bristol, Laura A copied)

Art Gallery Team: Hannah Sessions, Laura

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 Conlon

Members: Alan Moore, Rich Wolfson, Mary Hadley, Heidi Sulis

Flower Buds

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

Chairs: Marnie Wood, Dinah Smith

Members: Alice Berninghausen, John Barstow, Revell Allen, Kimberli Gray

Flowers: Dinah Smith’s CSA

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

Governance

Margy Young, Alan Moore, Mike Greenwood, Rich Wolfson

Leadership Development Team

Mike Greenwood, Colleen Brown, 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: Lise Anderson, Susie Davis Patterson, Ellen Flight (book covers), Bobbi Loney (children’s books), Sheila House (CUUK books),  Ann Ross (history, archives)

See The CVUUS Library.

Middlebury College UU Students

Currently Elio Farley, Kai Fukuda, Rick Walker others. Formerly Tyler McDowell, Allie Izzard, Sky (Celeste Allen), Aida O’Brien

Music Council

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

Carol Harden, Revell Allen, Jen Cohen, Chris Murphy, Joan Soper Todd, Ann Webster (Kate Gridley)

Choir: Steve Maier, Priscilla Bremser, Revell Allen, Brett Millier, Carol Harden, Rosalie Cryan, Neil Chippendale, Anne Christie, Chris Murphy, Kate Gridley, John Barstow, Ann Webster, Marnie Wood, Martha Fulda, Dee Carroll, Jean Terwilliger, Avi Freund, Joan Soper, Liam Battjes Greenwood, Kimberli Gray, Louise Cadwell, John Stark, Andrea Sambrook, Margy Young, Mitch Kramer, Bob Gridley, Max Schoales, Evan & Karen Cooper, Arne G, Jill Cowie, Ben (Brenda J, Janie Wulff)

Pastoral Care

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

Ministers; Caring Network for physical needs.

See Caring Network and Lay Pastoral Care.

Personnel

Mission: Provide oversight and policy with regard to hiring practices, benefits, salaries, and conflict resolution.

Chair: Gordon Gibson

Members: Ann Webster, Connor Timmons, Mary Conlon (ex officio), seeking others

Religious Exploration Council

Mission: The RE Council, working collaboratively with the Director of Religious Exploration and the Ministers, with a sense of joint vision, will organize and oversee a Religious Exploration program for children and youth that is aligned with the congregation’s Mission Statement, Purpose Statement: Why We Exist, and our Unitarian Universalist Values. Click here for Responsibilities of RE Council

Members: Jess Rouse, Julia Santerre, Greg Bernhardt, Ted Scheu, Liam Battjes-Greenwood, Sydney Singh, Rev Christina

Nursery Care: Johanna Nichols, others

Sparks: Bobbi Loney, Jess Rouse, Micaela Tully, others

Middle School Group:

Youth Group: no Youth Group right now

OWL (Gr4-5): Connor Timmons & Kerri Duquette-Hoffman

OWL (Gr 7-9):  Joanna Colwell & Jordan Young & Elizabeth Sylvia

Coordinated, overseen by the Director of Religious Exploration

• Religious exploration programs for children
• Youth programs
• Nursery

Adult RE: Martha Fulda, Abi Sessions

See Lifespan Learning at CVUUS.

Rhubarb Festival

Mary Hadley, Lise Anderson, Sheila House, Gayle Muenchow, Elizabeth Golden, Chippendales, Brett Millier, Dinah Smith, Sue Rasmussen, Kathryn Schloff, Martha Soderberg, Michele Lowy, Mary & Peter Conlon, Jean Terwilliger

Safety Team

Chair: Alan Moore

Members: Will Porter, Mike Greenwood,, James Cole, Wayne S, Laura Asermily (Richard Hopkins, Dr. Paul Seward and Dr. Morris Earle consulted as needed on health matters)

Sangha (Meditation Group)

Dinah Smith, Colleen Brown, Van Van Order, Bobbie Carnwath, Tracey Harrington.

Service Auction (Radical Love Exchange)

Mike & Liam Greenwood, Mary Hadley, Marnie Wood, Andrea Sambrook, Kimberli Gray (Priscilla Bremser, Donna B, Terry Racich, Lise Anderson, Connie Leach & Chris Prickitt have been previously involved).

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: Rev. Christina

Doug Richards, Dinah Smith, Sue Rasmussen

Sat Morning (2nd of month, 9 am): Doug R

Tues Night (1st of month, 6 pm): Dinah Smith

Thur Morning (2nd of month, 11 am): Sue Rasmussen

Thur Afternoon online (2nd of month, 1:15 pm): Doug R

See Small Group Ministry.

Social Justice Ministry

Bobbi Loney

Worship and Worship Team

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

Interim Ministers: Rev. Tricia Hart and Rev. Christina Silliari

Ministerial Search Team: Becky Strum, Andrea Sambrook, Priscilla Bremser, Ben Long, Dorothy Mammen,  Hannah Sessions, Elio Farley

Music Director: Jen Cohen

Director of Religious Exploration / many Times for All Ages: Julia Santerre

Worship Team Chairs: Jordan Young, Ellen Flight