We welcome any member or friend to join one or more of our committees. We always need and welcome volunteers! Committee membership is an excellent way to get to know our Fellowship and a good way for us to get to know you. If a committee holds your interest, contact the chair. Meeting times are announced in our newsletter and on our website calendar. Meetings are open to everyone. Choose committee(s) that fit your interests and your curiosity—no experience necessary.

Please consider joining us on one or more committees!

Membership – Remember the people who came up to you and made you feel so welcome when you first walked into UCF?  Likely they are the membership committee who love to invite you to coffee and discussion, and who help you get to know us.  We can use your ideas for new opportunities for the growth of UCF as we move into the new space.  Contact Penny Hooper or Martha Kenworthy.

Worship – Our weekly UCF worship services are what bring us together, even from across the country!  The creative and thought-provoking topics and interesting guest ministers/speakers make our church a truly unique space.  The creation, preparation, and timing of worshipful services, down to coordinating music with the message, is the ongoing inspiration of this important committee.  They deserve our thanks every Sunday!  Contact Marilynn Cullison at [email protected]

Children’s Spiritual Exploration– As we move into a new space that invites kids to learn and play, we look forward to our young ones joining us in worship, singing, performing, and growing into compassionate and informed young citizens.  We will be creating artwork and crafts and will have visiting speakers and artists in our diverse curriculum.  Moms, Dads, and Grandparents are especially encouraged to join us in our planning and lessons.  Contact Rev. Micah C. Ma at [email protected].

Adult Spiritual Enrichment – This committee strives to provide members and friends of the fellowship with many opportunities for faith development, spiritual growth, and fellowship through a variety of classes and activities. Some classes use published UUA curricula, while others are planned and facilitated by members, in their particular area of expertise or interest. Examples of our current activities include weekly meditation classes, monthly Family Game Nights, and Wednesday evening Vespers. There is also a Book Group that meets monthly.  Adult SE, often in cooperation with the Social Justice and Green Sanctuary committees, regularly provides and discusses films relevant to community and world issues.  Past topics include UU history, the tenets/practices of particular world religions, goddesses of mythology, study of the chakras, and several classes on spiritual development and practices.  We are always glad to have new committee members and new ideas. Contact Holly Rogers at [email protected].

Finance – This committee meets monthly and oversees the annual pledge campaign as well as putting together the annual budget for UCF.  Our focus is on anticipating the upcoming needs of the church and creatively finding the funding to support UCF. We help the Treasurer and fundraising teams put together mailings to the congregation and advise the Board of Trustees when called upon.  We maintain a financial calendar of events that helps guide our planning.  This might sound dull, but we really are a fun group, and we come up with some creative ideas for fundraising, as well as supporting our various committee fundraising opportunities. Join us for a meeting, just to see what we do, and help us help UCF grow!  Contact Jo Ellen Essex at [email protected]

Social Justice – The Social Justice Committee, unlike many other UCF committees, has a fluid membership and welcomes anyone who has an interest in addressing social justice issues through service and activism.  We meet quarterly and work on many projects. We welcome anyone who has a social justice passion they would like to bring to our attention.  Contact co-chairs Harriet Altman ([email protected]) or Barb Thomas ([email protected]). 

Green Sanctuary – The Green Sanctuary is committed to being a visible presence in the community, promoting UCF’s commitment to living in harmony with the Earth. Functioning under the umbrella of the Social Justice Committee, the Green Sanctuary Subcommittee strives to help UCF actively promote our beliefs when it comes to our shared environment. Green Sanctuary undertakes projects that help us all reduce our ecological footprints as we strive to preserve the Earth for future generations. We are recognized as a UUA Green Sanctuary, and our grounds have been certified as a backyard habitat by the NC Wildlife Federation; we expect to apply for a National Wildlife Federation Sacred Grounds Habitat in the coming years. Our campus on Bridges Street features new electric vehicle charging stations, which have been popular in the community. Some of our activities have included guest speakers, films, panel discussions, worship services, service projects, Plantbased Potlucks, and fun field trips. Contact Lauren Donnachie at [email protected] or Linda Rudd at [email protected] for more information.

Committee on Ministry – This committee helps us look at the vision and mission of all UCF committees, and gives us a yearly evaluation of our goals for the future.  It helps us to look back, in order to envision our future more clearly.  Contact Louise Hughes at [email protected].

Music – We have a wonderful choir at UCF, and are always looking for new voices to join us in performing for the congregation, as well as in UU Choir Festivals and local Gospel Festivals.  Consider joining us when we all come together in our new Sanctuary.  Contact Tom Cullison at [email protected]

Building and Grounds Task Force began meeting in July 2022 to organize manuals and other documentation relating to our facilities, to list and schedule maintenance for the buildings and equipment, to discuss budget and policies for our facilities, and to create a job description for and establish a Facilities Committee.  If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Miriam Green at [email protected].   This group will evolve to be the Facilities Committee.

Facilities Committee – Do you like puttering in the yard and fixing stuff around the house?  Well, “our house” needs you!  It may only be for an occasional work party, or maybe you have a special skill to offer that would save us time and money.  We’d like to add your name to our list, particularly for work days.  Contact Sandra Shelp at [email protected] or Jo Ellen Essex at [email protected].

Common Grounds Task Force – The Common Grounds Task Force (CGTF) was established in 2022 by the Board of Trustees to assist the Building and Grounds Task Force with ongoing maintenance and planning for continued development for the unpaved areas surrounding the building footprints at 2900 Bridges Street. Special focus will be on the grassy areas to the west of the sanctuary and Rev. Sally B. White Center (potential meditation space) and to the north of the Rev. Sally B. White Center (combined play and outdoor meeting areas). Although the CGTF has done some initial general planning, it is still in search of individuals willing to get more deeply involved in leadership and implementation.

Joys and Concerns – This committee is responsible for sending out cards and flowers to those who are going through an illness or loss in the family.  We reach out to each other for support.  Contact Miriam Green at [email protected]

Audiovisual Tech Committee – This is a group that rotates to run our sound system and our Zoom broadcast at Sunday morning services. We need two volunteers for each service — it is not difficult and training and shadowing will be provided. We would like to get enough people so that each of us would only have to do this once a month. If interested, contact Barb Thomas at [email protected].

Thank you to all who freely give of their time and their talent!