Committees

Most of OUUC’s programs and activities are developed and organized by a number of committees made up of members of the congregation. We also have several affiliated groups that support programs and work in various areas. Committee meetings can be attended by anyone in the congregation and the the committees and groups welcome newcomers and those interested in joining in.

Addiction Ministry

Many of our lives – and the lives of friends, family, co-workers and others in our world – are affected by addictions to drugs, alcohol, or behaviors such as gambling.  Both addiction and recovery from addiction are part of the human condition. 

Because we want to create a fully inclusive church community that accepts and addresses the human tendency to addiction, the Addictions Ministry will provide:

  • Educational resources and programs for youth and adults in our congregation that promote prevention, awareness and effective and compassionate action;
  • A resource center with information about addictions, and resources to help people overcome them;
  • Confidential support and referrals for individuals, families and friends who are in crisis or who wish to explore whether it is time to change; and
  • Ongoing support and companionship within our church community for those whose lives have been touched by addiction.

For more information or find information on how you can receive services, ouuc.org/addictionministry.

Aesthetics

The committee’s mission is to help create a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy environment for the OUUC Community. The committee makes and facilitates aesthetic decisions about plans, purchases, and donations that affect the character, ambiance, safety, comfort, and beauty of OUUC buildings, landscaping, publications, and exhibits. Representatives from the Aesthetics Committee serve on the Space Committee. Contact Pat McLachlan.

Adult Education

This committee manages the Adult Education Program, which seeks to foster life-long learning and spiritual growth through a variety of classes, workshops, and events. Some specific purposes are to expand and deepen understanding of Unitarian Universalism, to facilitate the search for truth and meaning in all spheres of human knowledge, to explore the many sources of spirituality, and to promote sharing ideas and experiences among the participants. The committee meets the fourth Thursday of the month, 1 pm at the church. For more information, contact Tom Joldersma. To learn about the programs, visit the Adult Education webpage.

Buildings and Grounds

This committee maintains the OUUC buildings, grounds and related mechanical systems. The committee holds one annual meeting in February and organizes several work parties throughout the year. For more information, contact Don Melnick.

Committee on Ministry (COM)

The mission of the Committee on Ministry is to support and monitor the health of the congregation’s ministry. This body serves to:
1) stay abreast of the pulse of the congregation, and provide feedback to the Minister;
2) evaluate the ministry of the congregation, its success toward carrying out the OUUC mission, and its success in meeting the congregational five-year goals; and,
3) evaluate the Minister’s success in carrying out the OUUC mission and in meeting the congregational five-year goals.
For more information, contact Barry Zickuhr.

Communications

The Communications Committee supports the OUUC leadership team, committees and staff by helping to coordinate and enhance communications within the congregation and with the larger community. The committee works to develop appropriate policies and tools to aid the dissemination of clear messages, and explores new ideas to increase our effectiveness in reaching out to the community. Members include the editor of the Unitariana, OUUC Webmaster, publicity coordinator, Membership committee representative, church administrator, two members-at-large from the congregation and a Board liaison. For more information contact Michele Hendrickson. The group meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at OUUC.

Family Ministry Team

The team focuses on meeting the needs of families, through a Sunday morning Religious Education program and other events and programs, and on supporting the multi-generational nature of our congregation. We work closely with the Director of Religious Education, and meet monthly on the first Monday at 7pm. For information contact the chair, Karen Skelton or the DRE, Sara Lewis.

Finance

People who are good with numbers are fun. If you enjoy working with numbers and budgets, this committee is for you! They meet regularly to prepare the annual budget and to monitor expenses while they have fun. Meeting times vary. For more information, contact Steve Tilley.

Fundraising

The Fundraising Committee works to raise money to meet the financial needs of the congregation in a way that fosters goodwill, strengthens community, and enhances the spiritual rewards of the Congregation. The committee oversees the major fundraising functions of the church, like the auction and the annual Canvass/Stewardship Drive. We're always looking for good ideas and for helpers.

Green Sanctuary

The Green Sanctuary Committee focuses on helping OUUC make good environmental choices in six areas of church life:

  • Energy Conservation and Environmental Practices
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Church Communication
  • Religious Education
  • Worship
  • Environmental Justice

For more information visit the Green Sanctuary page or contact Leslie Romer.

Leadership Development

This team helps members of the OUUC congregation develop their potential for leadership and finds candidates to fill vacancies on the Board and on the Leadership Development Team. They meet the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at OUUC. For more information contact Mike Harbour.

Membership

We greet visitors and members at Sunday services and help newcomers to become integrated into the life of the church. We staff the Welcome Table each Sunday. We provide informative publications relating to UU and our congregation. We facilitate UU information sessions each month and New Member classes three times a year in October, January and May followed by Welcoming Ceremonies in Sunday services. For more information, contact Linda Crabtree at membership@ouuc.org.

Music

The choir sings for both Sunday services, usually twice a month, and presents two special concerts each year. Several times a year we have wonderful guest performers from the community. New members need not audition, and ability to read music is helpful but not required. Rehearsals are usually Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, at the church. For more information visit the music page or contact Anita McIntosh.

Partner Church

OUUC has a Partner Church in the village of Kissolymos in Romania. This group works with that church and the UUA Partner Church organization to help support that congregation. For more information contact Jo Ann or Mike Young. (New Partner Church pages are in development.)

Pastoral Care Team

The Pastoral Care team is a lay ministry that supplements ministerial services. Team members are selected and trained by the minister. The function of the team is two-fold: 1.) to offer a ministry of presence to people in times of transition through phone calls or one or more visits, and 2.) to serve a coordinating function for the Caring Friends Program, previously called The Care Committee, coordinated by Mary Walton Cameron. This consists of almost 200 members and friends who have volunteered to provide practical services such as meals, transportation or other forms of help to those in need. For more information, see the Pastoral Care Team brochure available in the commons or contact our minister, The Reverend Arthur Vaeni.

Personnel

The Personnel Committee reviews salaries and develops policy for paid staff to assist the Board in providing fair compensation and treatment to all employees of OUUC. For more information, contact Eric Trimble.

Social Justice

This committee’s goal is to educate and build awareness in the congregation of social justice issues, provide opportunities to engage in social action, and to provide solidarity with other social action efforts in the community through co-sponsorship, planning support, physical presence at events, and/or financial support. For more information contact Terrance Zander.

Worship Arts Committee

This committee is responsible for providing the Sunday services when our minister is not leading worship. These services may be lead by outside guest speakers or members of our congregation, and our role is to coordinate with these participants. Committee members receive training to serve as celebrants who assist our minister or guest speakers in most Sunday services. The committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM at OUUC. For more information contact Mary Anne Trause.

Youth-Adult Committee (YAC)

This committee is made up of adults, advisors and representatives from the high school youth group. It meets every other month to plan for and support the youth group. Contact Sara Lewis for more information.

Affiliated with OUUC

Covenant of UU Pagans (OlyCUUPs)

This group meets regularly for ritual and celebration. Everyone is invited. The General Meeting is the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm. at OUUC. For more information contact Mary Marsh.