First UU Columbus

The Adult Enrichment Committe helps plan the multitude of Adult Enrichment programs offered at our church - great classes and seminars taught by ministers and lay members alike and special seminars, lectures and other events. These classes offer an opportunity to explore spiritual, politcal and other themes within a setting that promotes passionate discourse and lively ideas. Committee members help choose topics, recruit facilitators, and help with registration and promotion.

We are recruiting for next year. To become a part of this team contact Committee Chair Len Powlick  _ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Director of Religious Education Jolinda Stephens (_ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Governance of the church - overseeing all isssues related to personnel and property - is the job of the Board of Trustess. Twelve Trustess are elected (four each year for a term of three years) at the annual meeting of the congregation. The Board then elects a Board Chair, Vice-chair, and Secretary. The Board also appoints a Church Treasurer and an Assistant Treasurer. These five persons along with the Church Moderator (also elected at the annual meeting) comprise the six officers of the church. There are ex-officio members of the Board as well. These are the ministers, the Director of Religious Education, the immediate past Board Chair, and a youth representative, selected by the youth to serve a one-year term. The Board meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday.

The Building Committee looks over the maintenance and operation of our lovely building and makes sure the building is a great place for us and for our visitors.

Do you have a decorator's eye and a discerning taste?  The Art and Space Team was established as a sub-committee of the Building Committee to make decisions regarding decorating the church. Help make the church a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing place for all of us.

The kitchen - it's not just another room in the house.  It's the birthplace of meals for the homeless twice each month. Of coffee for the coffee hour, and brunches for the Sunday Forum. Also, each month it is rented for memorials, weddings and other groups, bringing income for the church. In just one hour, at your convenience, you can wipe counters, clean the fridge or wash some dishcloths - and help preserve a space where meals nourish both our bodies and our souls.

With empathy, interest, and a small amount of time, you can help the committee, as it seeks to be aware of and respond to the specific joys and sorrows of the individual church members and friends. You can help with caring cards, assist at memorial services, and/or help to plan workshops. This standing committee meets monthly. Or, become a member of the Neighborhood Network to provide short-term, supportive, emergency care for members and friends in your area as needed. You can also help to loan medical equipment to members and friends.

The Committee on Church Ministry is reponsible for making sure our called clergy, our lay leadership, and the congregation are all on the same page as far as serving in our common ministry.

Put your "spin" on the First UU image by getting involved in the Communications Committee.  Your ideas for both internal and external promotion of our Worship Services and many programs will help us keep the flame of our chalice burning.  This standing committee has several areas of activity: publication of the official newsletter, The Discoverer, maintenance of the bulletin boards, administration of the website www.firstuucolumbus.org and the related e-mail communications network, and advertising and public relations.  People with skills in interviewing, writing, graphics, advertising or public relations can contribute their talents on an ongoing basis or on a project basis.

This team oversees a network of small groups comprised of church members who come to rely on one another for support and companionship during their spiritual journeys through life.  These groups are bound to one another and to the church by the mission and vision they share and by the guidance of the ministers.

Are you someone who likes to see the broader picture?  Do you want to make an impact on the world from a liberal religious perspective?  This standing committee connects First UU in Columbus with our district, Ohio-Meadville (OMD), and nationally, with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).  Co-chairs understand the structure and process of the UUA and help committee members help the congregation to process motions, represent First UU at General Assembly and decide on other issues.  We meet monthly for approximately one and a half hours.

This committee advises the Director of Religious Education (DRE) on matters on which the DRE seeks its counsel and keeps the DRE informed of the thinking and feeling of the congregation.

Good stewardship means having a vested interest in the financial health of our church. Are you willing to talk about issues and policies affecting our congregation? Members monitor and start the budget process each year, as well as work on special projects as needed, meeting monthly for approximately 1 1/2 hours. The chair is appointed by the Board, and shares this standing committee's information with the Board of Trustess each month.

This committee monitors and revises as necessary the Standing Rules, policies, and procedures of the church.

The Archives Team works in cooperation with the Governance Documents Committee and the church Historian. Its responsibility is to review and cull the current (1-2 years) and inactive (3-6 years) records of the church on an annual basis, after the completion of a church year, and recommend to the Board of Trustees which records should be changed in category (e.g., current to inactive or inactive to permanent) and which should be destroyed. It reviews permanent records every four years for relevance and condition, and may recommend which records be archived offsite. Membership includes the Historian, a representative of the Governance Documents Committee, and up to three other members selected by the Board.

Connect with nature as you help maintain inviting and beautiful landscaping to complement our church building. This standing committee meets quarterly to design new planting arrangements and to tackle improvements.

The Memorial Garden Team manages and maintains the Memorial Garden and Scatter Garden. The Memorial Garden is First UU's special place for celebrating the lives and mourning the deaths of our members, families and friends. It is enjoyed by groups and individuals as a place of meditation and peacefulness. The work of the Garden is done by volunteers during fall and spring clean-ups. No plant or garden expertise is necessary. Committee members have pavers inscribed, maintain the sculpture, consider lighting solutions, and work with the irrigation company.

A core belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person binds us together as UU's. Put your belief into action by joining the Inclusiveness/Diversity Committee, which has as its mission to create a church environment in which all members, friends and visitors feel welcome, valued and safe, regardless of race, culture or ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, political perspectives, differences in abilities, or religious convictions and heritage. Meet with us on the second Tuesday of the month to add your effort to their advocacy, educational programming and involvement with church leadership.

As UU's we believe that revelation is not sealed - meaning that inspiration can occur from exploring literature of all kinds, from all cultures. The Bookstore and Library aspire to provide an avenue for obtaining literature on the history of Unitarian Universalism and other spiritual traditions and a variety of other tomes which can inform spiritual life.

This standing committee is dedicated to nurturing people from the moment they walk through our doors, and throughout their life as members.

The Visitor Team provides literature for the brochure rack in the gallery and smiling Greeters for Sunday services, plus offers Welcome Packets and Getting Acquainted sessions to newcomers.

The Assimilation Team teaches the Path to Membership classes and links new members with mentors.

Membership Tracking keeps accurate member information and the Sharing the Ministry Team helps staff committees with the volunteers they need.

Along with the work of all these subcommittees, Membership's services include providing a photo directory and name tags for members and friends, sign interpretation during Sunday services for persons with hearing impairments, plus Child Care and the Coffee Hour.

By invitation of the ministers, you can assist this standing committee in building strong relationships between the First UU congregation and our ministers. This committee meets monthly for approximately 2-3 hours with our ministers, discussion concerns and issues of interest. They guard the confidentiality of these conversations, are thoughtful and informed church members, and can provide a forum for individuals who may need to raise their concerns.

Wonder who prepares those diverse slates of wonderful candidates for us to vote on at the annual meeting?  Chosen by the membership, this standing committee ensures that church members' interests are represented by selecting high-quality candidates for the Board of Trustees, the Nominating Committee, the Committee on Church Minstry, Moderator, and (if needed) the Search Committee for a settled minister.  Serving for two-year terms, the members meet 8-9 times between September and April.  Having a broad knowledge of the abilitities and experience of church membership and being a team player are the skills they use most.

This team involves lay members in one-on-one caring ministry with other members who need care.

Serving on this standing committee allows you to make recommendations to the Board of Trustees on the salaries, benefits and working conditions of non-ministerial staff.  Some HR experience is helpful.  Board-appointed committee members must be people-oriented, respectful of staff time and talents, have the ability to research local compensation scales and regulations and resolve conflicts, and maintain good records.  Each serves 2-3 years.  Our goal is to have happy and competent staff helping us with our church's mission.

This committee plans and conducts events to promote closer fellowship among the members of the congregation.

The First Friday Team oversees a monthly program which provides intergenerational activities and potlucks for members and friends.

The Sunday Coffee Team oversees the after-service refreshments for members, friends, and guests.

The Dinner Series Team oversees the communication and organization of church groups to meet for scheduled potluck dinners.

New members often comment that one of the greatest appeals of this church is its commitment to social justice.  This standing committee sponsors education, special collections, and multiple opportunities to reach out into our community to persons and groups who need help.

This standing committee fuels the church and all its activities.  Responsible for raising the funds that our church budget requires, their chief activity is the Annual Budget Drive, the canvas of all members to obtain pledges for the operation of the church.  Subcommittee members organize major fundraisers, such as the Auction,  the Holiday Appeal, and Planned Giving.

Appointed by the Board to provide evaluation of church needs and guidance on long-rang planning, this standing committee is most active during special projects.  Members serve three-year staggered terms.  Qualifications include creativity, a connection to congregational perspectives and a visionary sensibility.  The committee meets monthly.

Ths group organizes and supports First UU's broad-ranging Sunday morning religious education program, serving children and youth from toddler age through senior high.  With the Director of Religious Education it sets goals, recruits, trains and supports teachers, and sets the Sunday School calendar for nursery through 8th grade. It also proposes policy to the Religious Education Council. The committee seeks involvement on all fronts.  Parents of children enrolled in the classes are expected to lend a hand in making the program a success and volunteers  of all ages and stages will find meaningful ways to volunteer through the committee.

This committee maintains and guides a church-sponsored weekday school, based on a philosophy of humanitarian values, and open to young children without regard to race, creed, sex, or socio-economic level. The committee preserves the SYC philosophy, which is to be responsive to each child's needs, to encourage expression of feelings, to foster self-discovery and self-worth-all in an environment of free play.

Inspired by the beautiful format and thought-provoking content of our worship services?  Being a member of this standing committee allows you to represent the congregation as you assist the ministers in presenting Sunday services.  Activities include making sure the chancel is outfitted with candles, readings and announcements, planning major "themed" services and scheduling and screening summer lay-led services, and being a service "coordinator", which includes speaking from the pulpit.

This committee is involved in the programming for the middle school through senior high youth.  Set policy, recruit and support youth advisors, and recruit volunteers to support activities such as youth conferences and fundraisers.  This committee also functions as an advocate for youth and youth interests with in the congregation.