Serve Our Congregation on these Teams

– Community Building Teams
– Serve On Sundays Teams
– Teaching & Learning Teams
– Leadership Teams

Please join us as we work to realize all our dreams for a better world: to volunteer, to give of yourself, to act. We hope you will take advantage of the activities and services offered to our congregation.

Community Building Teams

Caring Team

The Caring Team works with our Minister to provide short-term support and assistance to UUCWNC members and friends who are experiencing illness, injury, or crisis. We arrange for meals and transportation to doctor’s visits, church, and other appointments. We visit those in the hospital, rehabilitation facilities, and hospice, and sometimes do shopping for those recovering at home. We host a reception following Memorial/Celebration of Life Services.  

  • Meeting Times: Are held on an as-needed basis, but usually at least once per quarter. We conduct most of our activities through email, phone and text.  
  • Time Commitment: Currently, we have a small group of core team members who focus on arranging for our volunteers to provide requested meals, rides, visits or cards.  Each member of the team will typically spend about 5+ hours per month discerning needs and coordinating activities by the volunteers.  We have a separate group of volunteers who will send out greeting cards as requested, and there is a Chalice Quilting group that creates quilts for UUs experiencing long-term or chronic illness.
  • To learn more – Email: caring@uucwnc.org

Communications Support Team 

The Communications Support Team works with our church leaders and administrative staff to ensure internal and external communications provide relevant, engaging and up to date information. The scope of communications includes the weekly newsletter, the UUCWNC.org website, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram pages.

  • Meeting Times: Varies depending on the needs at that time.
  • Time Commitment: vary between 1 to 4 hours a month. 
  • To learn more – Email: communications@uucwnc.org

Generous Life Team (GLT)

The Generous Life Team addresses the fiscal needs of the congregation by promoting the growth of a vibrant culture of generosity that celebrates the giving spirit in all of us. The GLT is responsible for implementing our annual pledge drive, and for overseeing and supporting the many fundraisers that congregants offer each year.

  • Meeting Times: Once a month, with more frequent meetings often scheduled prior to the annual April pledge drive. Attendees have the option of joining the 90-minute meetings in person or by Zoom.
  • Time Commitment: Members are asked to serve a two-year term but may stay longer.
  • To learn more – Email: GLT@uucwnc.org

Membership & Engagement Team (MET)

The Membership & Engagement Team facilitates involvement of members, friends, and visitors in the life of the Congregation, fostering a sense of belonging and meaningful connections with each other and the UUCWNC community.

  • Meeting Times:  The third Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m.
  • Time Commitment: In addition to one monthly meeting, we break into smaller groups to take on projects that require additional meetings and time. Between meetings we stay in contact by email.
  • To learn more – Email: MET@uucwnc.org

Open House Team

The Open House Team signs up hosts from among UUCWNC members and friends, publicizes these monthly events, and helps the hosts with whatever they need before, during and after the gatherings.

  • Meeting Times: We attend the monthly open houses on the third Sunday of each month from 4:00-7:00 p.m., dividing the events into early and late shifts.
  • Time Commitment:  In addition to attending open house events, the Open House Team meets in person about once a year. We correspond during the month by email to coordinate events.  Publicity and other responsibilities are divided between team members and generally take no more than an hour a month for each member.
  • To learn more – Email: openhouse@uucwnc.org

Pastoral Care Partners (PCP)

PCP serves as an extension of the Minister by providing long term support for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of members of the congregation. We serve congregants by listening to their feelings and offering support to those experiencing grief, illness, disability, relationship changes, relocation concerns, caregiving issues, isolation, trauma and other difficult life situations. We assist you in locating community and professional resources. We do not provide professional counseling or medical, legal or financial services, give advice, judge or make decisions for you.

The minister selects potential committee members and interviews each one to determine their skills, interests and suitability with current members.

If you think you or someone you know could use our support please Email: Rev. Alyssa Lee at revalyssa@uucwnc.org

Program Council (PC)

The Program Council (PC) consists of leaders from several of our teams and committees, each of which develops programs for the congregation. The PC is chaired by a member of the Committee for Ministry. The PC works to foster coordination and communication amongst the teams as their activities, themes, content, and timing may overlap or intersect.

  • Meeting Times: Meetings are held via zoom on the second Tuesday of every other month. Meetings are approximately 90 minutes. Smaller work sessions may be added as needed.
  • Time Commitment: Participants represent their committees in the meetings and submit reports of activities prior to each meeting.
  • To learn more – Email: programcouncil@uucwnc.org

Serve On Sunday Teams

The Worship Team provides weekly support to the Minister and Lay Service Leader(s), including setting up the Sanctuary, enlisting Offertory Ushers and Chalice Lighters and coordinating the video and audio systems and the information on the TV screens in the sanctuary. 

 On Sundays when the Minister is away, the Team provides quality Lay-led worship services which seek to affirm and promote our Unitarian Universalist values and offer inspiration, illumination, and solace to all who attend. We welcome all who wish to join the Worship Team! 

  • Meeting Times:  Second Wednesday of each month, at 5:30  p.m.  
  • Time Commitment:  Meetings last approximately an hour. Worship Team members who lead services prepare homilies and/or sermons which may take several hours to research and write.   
  • To learn more – Email: worship@uucwnc.org  

The Worship Associates assist with Sunday services by providing components of the service such as the words for the: welcome, chalice lighting, responsive reading, and offertory. Worship Associates may provide other parts of the service as requested by the worship leader. 

  • Meeting Times:  No meetings, but specific directions are provided by the worship leader the week prior to the service. 
  • Time Commitment: Varies depending on the duties taken on. 
  • To learn more – Email: minister@uucwnc.org 

The UUCWNC Choir sings one Sunday a month, from September through June.  All are welcome to join! Reading music is not required. 

  • Meeting Times: Weekly rehearsals are on Wednesdays 6:45-8:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary, from the first week in September through mid-June. 
  • Time commitment:  Consistent attendance at rehearsals and performances is ideal.  If needed, it is possible to drop out for a month and jump back in when you can rehearse again. 
  • To learn more – Email: choirdirector@uucwnc.org  

The Music Support Team

The Music Support Team’s mission is to make music a foundation for morning worship and to collaborate with the Minister, Music Director, Worship Team, pianists, soloists, and musical groups to help make music an integral part of our spiritual life at UUCWNC.

The Team strives to help make the music matter by working with the Minister, Music Director, pianists, groups and soloists to find and perform music that relates to the sermon topic and inspires and uplifts the congregants.  To facilitate this effort, we maintain a list of musicians, soloists and pieces they have ready to play.

  • Meeting Times: No scheduled meetings.  Most of the communication is via email.
  • Time commitment:  Varies.
  • To learn more – Email: musicteam@uucwnc.org

Greeters provide a welcoming face to everyone who enters the Sanctuary for Sunday service. There is no special training. Greeters arrive 15 minutes before each Sunday service, welcome each person entering the Sanctuary, and provide an Order of Service. Greeting members, friends and visitors is a great way to get to know people and for people to get to know you. 

  • Meeting Times: No scheduled meetings. 
  • Time Commitment: Greeters arrive 15 minutes before each Sunday service and stay at the door to the sanctuary until service begins. 
  • To learn more – Email: met@uucwnc.org  

Soup Sunday Team

March 2023

The Sunday Soup Team organizes our noontime Soup Sundays — casual lunch gatherings featuring delicious soups & desserts made by members of the congregation. They are held in Dobkin Hall one Sunday each month from October through March and serve as both a “FUNDraiser” and “FUN-raiser”.

  • Meeting Times: Set up begins at 9:00 a.m., clean-up is usually completed by 1:00 p.m.  We often work in two-hour shifts which allows us to attend a service. Soup and dessert donors are asked to drop off their donation at 9:00 a.m.
  • Time Commitment: Approx. two hours a month during our six-month soup season.
  • To learn more – Email: soup@uucwnc.org

Sunday Hospitality Hosts

The Sunday Hospitality Hosts provide a time for members, friends and visitors to engage with one another on a personal level while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea & snacks in Dobkin Hall after Sunday morning service(s). This is a great way to provide a needed service and to get to know your teammates and other members of the Congregation. You’ll be assigned to a team with a ‘captain’ who sends reminders, provides directions, answers questions, and does “how to” demonstrations, if needed.

  • Meeting Times: Approximately two hours the Sunday that you are hosting.
  • Time Commitment: One Sunday every three months (just four times a year!)
  • To learn more – Email: hospitality@uucwnc.org

Vergers

  • Room Vergers make sure the sanctuary is ready on Sunday morning before the service begins.
  • anage the Sunday Zoom service including audio, cameras, and recording. Training and support provided. Also, assist with memorials and other special events, as needed.

Welcome Table Team Members are available before and after each Sunday service to welcome new visitors. Worship table members:

    • Assist visitors in filling out a brief form & name tag
    • Invite visitors to coffee hour after the service
    • Offer visitors info. about UUCWNC & Unitarian Universalism.
    • Counts and records the number attending each service  
  • Meeting Times: No scheduled meetings, but training is provided. 
  • Time Commitment: Welcome Table Team Members arrive 15 minutes before service & stay at the desk after service until visitors leave or attend coffee hour. 
  • To learn more – Email: met@uucwnc.org  

Teaching and Learning Teams

Sunday School | Religious Education Team

Religious EducationThis group of individuals helps with religious education programming across all ages. We discuss program ideas, volunteering, and other ways to engage our faith community. The RE Team and Associate Minister/Director of Religious Education also help provide background checked volunteers for Sunday RE classes and childcare for special events.

  • Meeting Times: The last Tuesday of each month via zoom.
  • Time Commitment: Approximately three Sundays each month during the school year.
  • To learn more – Email: religiouseducation@uucwnc.org

Quest Presenters

Quest March 2023

Facilitate and lead a discussion on a topic of interest to the congregation. They include members of the QUEST facilitator team, the congregation and wider community. The week before presenters submit a short description of the topic and often provide resource information to review ahead of time. At monthly meetings the facilitator team develops the upcoming schedule of presenters and topics.

  • Meeting Times: Sundays 9:15-10:15 a.m.
  • Time Commitment:One hour the day of your presentation plus preparation time.
  • To learn more – Email: quest@uucwnc.org

Leadership Teams

 Board of Trustees (BOT)

Board 2022-2023

Board 2022-2023

The Board of Trustees creates and promotes policy and vision to ensure that resources of the Congregation are effectively and efficiently directed toward achieving the Mission of UUCWNC.  The Board provides the framework and structure under which the teams and committees operate and interact with each other, UUCWNC staff, and the congregation. Board members are nominated by the Nominating Committee and voted on by the congregation at the annual meeting.

The President, Vice-President and Secretary of the Board are selected by vote of the Board members.  Those three, plus the Minister constitute the Executive Board; this group meets by telephone/video conference one week prior to Board meetings to plan and set the agenda. The nine Board members each serve a three-year term; three members rotate off each year and are replaced by three newly elected members.

  • Meeting Times: The third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 via Zoom for the Executive Committee and 4:30 on the fourth Tuesday of the month for the Board meeting, in person with a Zoom option possible. Note: at the first meeting of each church year the Board chooses its monthly meeting dates and time.
  • Time Commitment: In addition to monthly Board meetings, each Trustee commits to serving as Worship Associate once a year, and to writing an article to be published in the Weekly Digest.  Every year, as a group, the Board leads one Sunday service, conducts the annual Congregational Meeting, and holds two Congregational discussions at which it welcomes questions and feedback.
  • To learn more – Email: Board@UUCWNC.org

Committee for Ministry (CFM)

The Committee For Ministry (CFM) works to ensure the Congregation is healthy and thriving by fostering empowerment, responsibility, and connection among the various ministries of the church. The committee identifies the needs of the Congregation and assesses how well those needs are being met, identifies areas in which improvement is needed, and assists in developing plans for making positive change.

  • Meeting Times: Once a month, usually on the third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. for one to two hours.
  • Time Commitment: The six members serve three-year terms.
  • To learn more – Email: CFM@uucwnc.org

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is a permanently established committee, appointed by the Board of Trustees, which advises the Board of Trustees on the financial affairs of the Congregation.

  • Meeting Times: Quarterly, or as needed.
  • Time Commitment: Members serve a term of three years.
  • To learn more – Email: treasurer@uucwnc.org

Nominating Committee (NomCom) 

The Nominating Committee identifies a slate of candidates to serve on the Board of Trustees, as Treasurer, and on the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee functions independently of the Board of Trustees

  • Meeting Times: Once a month starting in January; 2-3 times per month closer to June as needed to prepare for the June Congregational Meeting.
  • Time Commitment: 0-2 hours a week in committee meetings plus talking with members about serving.
  • To learn more – Email: NomCom@uucwnc.org