Becoming a Member
Volunteering at Church
Activities

Getting Involved

Making Connections at UUC

Participating in special activities or in committees is a great way to get to know the people and the church organization better.  New members are truly the most welcomed folks to any activity or committee because other people in the Congregation are eager to get to know you better and, especially for committee work, you provide an invaluable perspective. 
           
Activity details are announced in the orders of service and in the monthly newsletter.
If you are unsure of how to get started or whom to contact, check with the Office Manager .


You do not have to be a member to join an activity group.

We offer at least one adult RE class each semester.  From classes about UUism, environmental responsibility, and developing one’s own spiritual practice, these classes are taught by members of UUC as well as our minister.

Annual Harvest Auction

Mark your calendars now!  This is the event of the year.  The auction is always on the 2nd Saturday of November.  There is an incredible array of appetizers and desserts, a silent auction, basket raffle, and a live auction.  We also offer sign ups for special events that will occur throughout the year. For ideas on what you can donate click here.

Dinners for 8

“Dinners for 8” is a popular social opportunity to get to know other members of the congregation better.  You can sign up as an individual or with one or two other people. 
The deadline for signing up is October 1.

Participants are assigned to different small groups of people to have dinner with one time in each of three seasons - fall, winter and spring.  The people in each group select the specific date for the dinner.  If something comes up and you are unable to attend your dinner, there is a substitute list from which to fill your slot.   

Participants attend two dinners as a guest and one dinner as a host.  Each person prepares some part of the meal.  The host organizes the meal.  If you sign up as a single person, you will be matched with a second person to share the host duties one time (for example, one person will make the phone calls and provide the house and the other will make the main dish).  If you sign up as two people, you and your partner will be assigned to dinner groups together (the other 6 people will change) and you will host one time.  If you sign up as a group of three, you will be assigned to dinner groups together and the dinners you attend will be groups of 9, rather than 8.           

The size of your dinner table should not be a deterrent to participating. There are many creative ways for 8 or 9 people to enjoy food and conversation together.  If you are concerned about the size of your house, contact the coordinator and she will work something out. 
To sign up submit your name (and up to 2 partners), whether you wish to be placed on the regular schedule or the substitute list, your email address, your postal address and your phone number. Also, please let the coordinator know if you are a vegetarian.

Dinners for 8 is a favorite activity for many people. I hope you will try it this year!  Contact:  Emily Moore; emily.moore123@sbcglobal.net

Picnics

We hold a spring and a fall picnic each year.  Look for details in newsletters in June and in September.

One Time-Volunteer Opportunities

Greeters -

Coffee Hour Hosts – Work with another individual to prepare coffee, tea, juice and treats for the social hour after the service.

Chalice Lighter or Reader during a service
           
Religious Education Assistant – assists the teachers on Sunday morning
           
Work Days – Each spring and fall we hold work days where we clean, paint, and make repairs to our historic building.  People of all skill levels are welcome.  Plus they usually order pizza for lunch!

Committee Work:

Committees are explained the “Opportunities for Service” forms.  We ask that each member work on at least one committee, though we do encourage new members to “committee shop” before they committee to their committee of choice.  The Minister will go over these opportunities with you during your new member meeting.

Social Justice Work:

Social Justice work is very important in the UU church.  Your beliefs should inspire actions in the world.  Below is a list of activities that UUC is currently involved in the community. 

Beacon House:

The Interfaith Hospitality Network runs a shelter for families that are homeless. To help with this program, you can sign up to bring a salad, a vegetable, an entrée or a dessert, or you can volunteer to host a meal and eat with the families staying at the shelter.  You also have the opportunity to be an overnight host.

Community Table:

A local organization that provides free hot meals to people in need.  A team from UUC prepares and serves a meal about 4 times per year. 

Ink Jet Recycling

Keep your used printer cartridges out of the landfills.  We offer mail in bags for the recycling of used cartridges (at the coffee sales table in the Social Hall.)

Responsible Shopping

We offer coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, almonds, pecans, and cranberries for sale downstairs in our Social Hall.  These fair trade products were all purchased through the Equal Exchange program which purchases items at directly from farmers and offers them a fair price so they can make a reasonable income from the sale of their products.  We also encourage UUC members to purchase locally grown products at the farmer’s market and at local co-ops. In  the winter UUC hosts one of the Winter Farmers’ Markets in our Social Hall.