The Unitarian Universalist Society's committees and activities are described below.
For more information on these or other activities,contact the UU Society in Ormond Beach, FL.
Building and Grounds Committee
The Building and Grounds Committee oversees the general maintenance and care of our new facility and the adjoining property which consists of a relatively untouched, forested natural dune line. It is a pride of the congregation and serves as an anchor for our shared interests and beliefs.
Chairman: Ron Watkins
Caring Committee
The Caring Committee's mission is, primarily, to make visits to those who are home bound or hospitalized, make phone calls, send notes and, in general, lend a helping hand.
Specifically we:
Visit and provide companionship.
Prepare and deliver an occasional meal.
Provide transportation for medical visits.
Shop for and deliver groceries or medications.
Suggust community resources for long-term care if asked to do so.
When family members are not available, we may play an advocacy role with members of the health care professions.
Sponsor helpful programs to the community offering information on Living Wills and the Durable Power of Attorney.
The Caring Committee meets at 10:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month with an agenda that addresses the names of people in our congregation who are in need of help.
When the chairperson of the Caring Committee learns of sickness, hospitalizations, death, or other life-altering events, the information is dispatched immediately to all members of the Caring Committee. Matters of an extreme nature are communicated to the entire congregation in a timely manner.
The current chairperson for the Caring Committee is Dottie Mann.
Gaia Davies oversees Memorial Services and Receptions, assisted by Heather Ragsdale
.
Finance
Fund Raising
Membership Committee
Chairperson: Angelika Schlieper
Our religion's roots are in the Judeo-Christian traditions but there is no requirement for our members to acknowledge a creed, or a statement of beliefs, to attain membership. In fact quite a few of our members are associated with many of the world religions, and each is encouraged to find his/her own theology based on life experiences. We celebrate our diversity which unites us.
Membership is accomplished by a person's signing the Membership Book in the presence of the minister or a member of the Board of Trustees. This act of commitment has a solemn significance. It commits the individual to the support and participation in congregation affairs and the congregation to involve the individual in congregational matters.
More information is available from our Membership Chairperson: Angelika Schlieper who will be happy to talk with you.
The Membership Committee's mission is facilitating the integration of the congregation and honoring the members.
In particular, we
Will help all members find ways to get involved. Welcome newcomers and help them get acquainted.
WIll continually look for new members to maintain the size of our congregation. If we want to grow, we must follow through with a membership program.
Hold orientation for newcomers who wish to know more about Unitarian Universalism. New comer classes help visitors and new members get connected, and hopefully make them more committed to our congregation.
Organize and execute membership ceremonies for new members at least twice a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Organize and execute anniversary ceremonies for our members of many years.
Contact those friends and members who haven't been seen recently, to invite them back.
The meetings of the Membership Committee are held on the first Sunday of each month.
For more information contact the UU Society in Ormond Beach, FL.
Program Committee
This committee consists of members from the congregation and the Chair appointed by the President.
Responsibilities of the Committee are:
When the Minister Is Present:
Assist the Minister, as requested, in the presentation of the Sunday services and coordinate the service leaders, music, sound system and any other extra additions to the service.
When the Minister Is Absent:
Provide a diversity of speakers for Sunday services. The committee seeks to present speakers who will be of interest to our congregation and the general public.
On these Sundays the committee works with the presenter to plan a complete Sunday service suitable to the speaker's subject.
One of the goals of this committee is to involve members in the presentation of our services.
Public Relations Committee
This committee is responsible for all media and community relations, as well as over-seeing design and concept in concert with the vision of our Society. This may also involve fund raising.
Any events that require publicity go through this committee and appropriate media action is taken.
Chairman: Phil Green
Religious Education Committee
Chairperson is Byron Spice
Religious Education Director is Debbie Johnson
Childcare and Religious Education classes are offered for all ages during the service (from 10:15 to 11:45).
Philosophy of Religious Education
We strive to stir the minds of our children to search for what quickens their spirit, and while overcoming prejudice, impartially and conscientiously choose their own path. Unburdened by the imposition of arbitrary rules and rote memorization, we hope to strengthen their powers of thought and awaken their conscience to moral discernment.
Based on the thoughts of William Ellery Channing
Description of the Committee & its work:
Our Religious Education Committee currently consists of Kathryn Hansman-Spice, Dottie Mann, Ashara Derourin, Pastor Bud Murphy and Byron Spice. All of us are experienced educators. As we support the efforts of our Director of Religious Education, Debbie Johnson we are consistently impressed with the exceptional quality of the religious education program she is developing. Debbie provides educational resources for the teachers and volunteers that are activity based and age appropriate. Because the children who attend may be different from one Sunday to the next, she prepares materials that can be begun and finished in one session. She also supports a flexibility that is responsive to changes from Sunday to Sunday in the size of the various age groups that attend. Debbie plans for an enriched learning environment that includes social action, environmentally sensitive projects, and intergenerational activities some of which include those delightful moments when they share our worship services. We hope you will offer to help support this program by contacting Debbie with your suggestions and offering to volunteer.
Social Action Committee
Chairman: Bill Ternent
This group focuses on issues brought to the group by its members or through other soures, i.e., UUA or other UU groups. Actions taken are not necessarily supported by the congregation as a whole, although the committee is sensitive to the views of the broader membership of the Society.
All interested persons are invited to come to participate in determining what will be done and become involved in the subsequent 'doing.' Please contact Bill for time and location of meetings.
Some key current or ongoing actions of members of the committee include: the following activities:
FAITH
Fighting Against Injustice Toward Harmony, a social action group populated by members of 20 congregations in Volusia County, that focuses on identifying systemic social problems, determining potential means for changing the system to solve them, and obtaining commitments from responsible public sources to bring about the necessary change.
To contact FAITH directly: The FAITH office # is 386-238-7060. The lead organizer is Beth Howard. She can be contacted by anyone interested in helping with the “JOBS” issues or “CRIME AND DRUGS” issue.
Regarding Affordable Housing Issues Please call: Sara Truhlar ph # 386-405-6946 or email her at : sara@seinsulators.com
Affordable Housing Committee Meeting Monday, February 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the FAITH office at 219 Magnolia Avenue for anyone interested in getting involved.
Chairman: Bill Ternent
Family Renew, In 1989, our Society was one among 19 churches that formed an ecumenical community concerned about 'The Forgotten Youth' - a plan to provide shelter for homeless families and an attempt to guide and redirect those who were willing to work toward their economic stability. The focus is on assisting families to become independent and self sufficient.
These founders formed an organization named 'Family Renew Community.' There is a 16-unit former motel in Holly Hill that can provide no-cost temporary shelter for two-parent families. There are also single-parent shelters in Daytona Beach and Deland. Families can stay as long as two years. Last year 40 to 50 families were helped.
Our Society is represented on the working Family Renew Board of Trustees and provides an advocate for the families.
Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolate
Our Society has joined the UUSC in serving a serving a cup of justice………
Every time you have a cup of fair trade coffee, you are helping small coffee farmers and their families have a better life. Read more about the project and buy you coffee on Sundays.
Contact the UU Society in Ormond Beach, FL.
