The principal caretakers of OUUC’s buildings and grounds are the congregants themselves! Congregants who choose to volunteer to improve and maintain the church’s physical space form the Buildings and Grounds Team. This team, working with Office and Facilities Manager Ian Hammond Stephan and Sexton Marie Arensmeyer, keep track of the state of the building and grounds, determine maintenance and renovation priorities, and work together to keep the church and its grounds attractive, inviting, and in excellent working condition.
Some recent examples of Buildings and Grounds’ volunteer work are as follows:
-Planting trees and shrubs
-Weeding invasive species
-Inspecting and cleaning storm drains
-Replacing fluorescent lights with LED’s
-Re-striping the parking lot to add disabled spaces
-Building and installing bird deterrents on the outdoor light sconces
-Re-sealing the stone walls and pressure washing the steps and walkways
-Installing automatic door openers at the main entrances/exits
-Cutting up and removing a fallen tree
-Cleaning the church windows
You don’t have to be an expert at anything to be on Buildings and Grounds–you just need to be willing to pick up a paintbrush, lean on a ladder for somebody, or wipe down a window. Volunteering for B&G provides people with an opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, and serve their fellow congregants.
The Building and Grounds Team meets at 7:30 via Zoom on the second Monday of each month. If you are interested in joining or working with the Buildings and Grounds Team, please contact Sexton Marie Arensmeyer to get a link. If you have any questions about the team or its work, please contact Facilities Manager Ian Hammond Stephan for information.
