Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley
Committees and Service Groups
2011-2012

COMMITTEES (meeting all year)

Board of Directors: This is the governing body of the church. It is comprised of seven members who serve three-year terms. The current president is Katie Mack; Dick Dugan is serving as vice-president; secretary is Gail Vasta; treasurer is Bob Gettings; members-at-large are Ann Cross and Anna Dennis.

Building: Chaired by Robert Hurt. This committee maintains the church building as well as arranging for work days for members and friends.

Caring Committee: Judy Sperka and Sandy Lore chair this sub-committee which conveys support and concern of the congregation to those in illness, crisis or bereavement.

Communications Committee: Lead at this time by Anna Dennis, is developing ways to improve church communications such as the website, emails, facebook, newsletter, etc.

Concert Committee: This committee is chaired by Jim Peters and facilitates the teaching of our UU principles and values through vocal and instrumental music at congregational gatherings. They also plan and implement concerts and other music events.

Endowment: This committee oversees the UUCSV endowment fund as well as educating the congregation about giving opportunities and is chaired by Mark Lore.

Finance: Chaired by Joe Maio, this committee determines and monitors the financial condition of the church as well as oversees money-raising operations and projects.

Grounds: This committee maintains the church grounds and arranges for work days for members and friends.

Leadership Development and Nominating: Chaired by Jeanne Walton, this committee nominates people for elected positions. These include positions on the Board of Directors and on the Leadership Development & Nominating committee. This committee also provides leadership development and assists finding chairs and members for committees.

Lifespan Faith Development Committee (LFD): Chaired by Leslie Patten and Gina Rezabek, this committee supports adult programs that explore and promote the ideals found in our seven principles by providing facilitative support (such as enrollment in and advertising) for a wide variety of programs. They also manage the Covenant Groups.

Membership Activities: Several committees work together for services to members and others. These includes, Caring, Newcomers, Mentoring, plus Socials & Sharing Suppers.

Memorial Garden: This committee chaired by Mary Dyke is responsible for the development of the UUCSV memorial garden.

Mentoring: Chaired by Barbara Peters, this committee helps to orient new members to our Church community through a mentoring program.

Newcomers: Chaired by Zelda Zadnik and Cheryl Kennedy, this committee develops and administers a process for welcoming visitors, providing them with information about the church, and assisting them in the process of becoming members. They coordinate greeters who welcome and introduce visitors during Sunday Services.

Religious Education: This committee provides quality religious education for preschool and school aged children. Michele Grove, Interim Director of Religious Education, recruits and trains teachers and oversees the operation of classes and program. Julie Elrick is the RE Committee chair.

Social Action/Justice: Lilo Reinstein lead this committee that coordinates and leads church efforts in social action/justice projects in the area/region.

Socials and Sharing Suppers: Marilyn Dugan chairs the coordination of sharing suppers, church socials, and the singles group. Sharing suppers include 8-10 people who agree to meet for potlucks once a month for a year. Church socials are organized to build community. Singles activities are organized for fun and to integrate singles into other church activities.

Stewardship: The mission of this Committee is to enhance the awareness of members of the congregation of the shared responsibility of the Church to provide support to its members and of the members to support the Church. They conduct the annual canvass.

Sunday Service: Joe Farruggia chairs this committee that has primary responsibility for planning and presenting the services when the minister is not in the pulpit. The minister has this responsibility when in the pulpit. The committee manages all the details of the service requirements including audio/visual, music, etc. This committee manages the ushers and sound system.

Task Forces

Auction Committee: Dick Dugan chairs this event. The church has an annual services and goods auction organized and managed by this committee. Usually meets 5 months prior to the auction.

Constitution and By-Laws: Chaired by Cal Allen, this committee acts as a consultant with regard to the church constitution and by-laws. Meets as needed.

Craft Fair: Elaine Lederman and Joyce Badanes chair this activity to provide a craft fair during the holiday season. The fair includes home- made crafts and food, as well as activities for children. Meets 6 months prior to craft fair.

Library: Judy Sperka is the chair of this committee that maintains and organizes the library. Meets as needed.

Yard Sale Committee: This committee organizes and manages a yard sale at the church each year to help members clear their homes and make money for the church. Meets a few months prior to the yard sale.

SERVICE GROUPS

Choir: Directed by Mariana Mihai-Zoeter, the choir performs for Sunday Services and selected events. Choir practice is Thursday evening and new members are always welcome.

Covenant Groups: These small groups get together monthly making a covenant to meet for a year (renewable) to discuss a topic generated by the minister and the groups' facilitators to further our personal relationships and spiritual growth. Groups are formed by the LFD committee.

CUUPS/Earthways: This is a local group of UU pagans and Covenant of UU Pagans, which are part of the denominational organization.

Flowers: This group provides flowers to decorate the sanctuary for Sunday services. Contact Peggy Maio if you can help with the flowers.

Greeters: Greeters report to the Newcomers Committee. They greet and welcome visitors and guests at Sunday Services.

Grocery Coupons: Margaret Schad manages this fund-raising program with volunteers to sell Grocery Store Gift cards. We use them to buy groceries at Martins and Food Lion and the church receives a rebate.

Kitchen: This group of volunteers maintains the kitchen in an orderly fashion as well as coordinating volunteers for making coffee and clean-up on Sunday.

Name Tags & Church Directory: Sign up at the information table to be listed in the church directory and receive a name tag for use at Sunday Services and other church events. Ron Cox does the directory and name tags.

Newsletter: The newsletter is published monthly and available on the website and printed copies are available in the Narthex.

ROMEOS: This group of men meets monthly for lunch and lively discussion and brotherhood.

The UU Sisterhood: This group of women meets for lunch at the church on the third Friday of the month for casual food and conversation.

Ushers: Greeters report to the Sunday Services Committee. They provide Orders of Service to people entering the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and help them find seating. They also facilitate the sharing of joys and concerns by providing microphones. They pass the bowls for the offering and count the proceeds.

Webmaster: Charlie Spiro is our webmaster and Scott Riley is the assistant webmaster. Also, the new Communications Committee is working on updating and adding to our website.

Welcoming Congregation: The church has many activities under several committees to ensure that the church continues to be a congregation that provides a special welcome to those who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgendered.