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CalendarCommittees and Groups
Program CommitteesChoirMeeting/Rehearsal Structure: ~ twice each week
Overview/Mission of Group: The First Parish Choir offers its musical ministry to the congregation, and to the communities-at-large in special services. Twice during each congregational year, the choir offers two major Music Sundays. Either a major choral work or a thematic set of pieces is offered, often with a chamber musical ensemble. These services are very carefully planned to be offered as worship services rather than performances. Commitment to Participate: All interested singers are invited to join the choir. We are always happy to welcome new members, and always have a combination of singers at many different skill levels. Although we work hard at our rehearsals, we also incorporate time to socialize and deepen our friendships. Choir members communicate with the director about their availability for Sundays and rehearsals. Choir members would like you to know: "Being in the choir and creating music together touches me deeply. "I feel like we are answering questions about our UU identity through multiple forms of music". For more information contact Debra Morris-Bennett, Music Director Community and Hospitality CommitteeMeeting Structure: ~ monthly currently meeting on Sundays from 11:45-1:00 at FPS Overview/Mission of Group: Working with the Community Life Coordinator, the mission of the Community and Hospitality Committee is to attract, welcome and integrate visitors to FPS, help interested returning visitors find ways to be involved and engaged at FPS, help newcomers determine whether they wish to join as members, and to help all members and friends remain engaged with our congregation's ministry in ways that "feed their spirits." CHC actively supports FPS community-building events and initiatives: potlucks, community groups, and other events that foster a closer feeling of community. Commitment to Participate: Presently there are no term limits for committee membership or for the "satellite roles". People are encouraged to try it and see what roles work for them. Roles: The CHC has a chairperson who convenes meetings, sets the meeting agenda with the CLC, and leads meetings, as well as provides leadership of the committee's initiatives. CHC is made up of members who attend meetings and volunteer to support the work of the CHC, and "satellite" members who fill certain specific roles—coordinating the usher and greeter schedule for the year, coordinating the Social Hour hosts, etc. There are many tasks big and small, some of which can be done along with others, some of which can be done at one's convenience. This is a multi-faceted committee in terms of the opportunities to participate. CHC members would like you to know:
For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Faith in Action Committee(see Social Action)Green Sanctuary CommitteeMeeting Structure: Open meetings about six times a year. Overview/Mission of Group: The Green Sanctuary Committee (GSC) is responsible for crafting a program that increases our practice of the Seventh Principle of the UUA in our congregation, our community and our private lives: "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." This permanent committee is guided by the Green Sanctuary Program. The UU Ministry for Earth (MFE) initiated the Green Sanctuary Program, and as of 2008 it is managed by the UUA, in Boston. We seek Green Sanctuary Certification. The GSC is now completing its fourth year and has made progress on the road to First Parish becoming a Certified Green Sanctuary. We filed our application for candidacy as a Green Sanctuary congregation in late June 2007, and it was accepted early in 2008 with requests that we increase the specificity and justice aspects of our enviro-justice items. Commitment to Participate: There are no term limits. Roles: chair (or co-chairs), members, and many in the congregation who participate in and manage projects that support the mission of the Green Sanctuary Committee. Green Sanctuary Committee members would like you to know: The GSC can design a Green Sanctuary program but we rely on the members and staff of First Parish Sudbury to cooperate and carry it out. The committee is always looking for fresh ideas and new members. For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Pastoral Associates GroupThe Pastoral Associates Group (PAG) is part of a community-wide web of support that cares for people during the joys and challenges of our lives. PAG reaches out to people in need and lends an ear, a shoulder or a hand. This outreach comes in many forms, including listening to someone in crisis, bringing meals to a family with a new baby, driving someone to a doctor's appointment, arranging emergency childcare, visiting someone who is ill, calling someone who has recently lost a loved one and sending greeting cards of support. Meeting Structure: monthly. Presently, the Pastoral Associates meet on a Tuesday night, usually at First Parish. Overview/Mission of Group: The Pastoral Associates Group (PAG) consists of the Minister and trained lay members of the congregation called "Pastoral Associates." The team collaborates for the purpose of providing on-going pastoral care to the members and friends of First Parish. We help the congregation support one another in times of need. Showing how much we care for one another, addressing small and not-so-small concerns from parishioners, their friends and family is pastoral care. When we support each other, we show our spiritual strength by caring about one another. Pastoral Associates may perform the following services:
What's the Caring Call - Helping Hands Program? When an active First Parish member or friend needs a little extra help after surgery, hospitalization, or an accident, during an illness, when a family member is ill, or during similar situations, we offer to institute our “Caring Call Program.” This is an extension of the pastoral care provided by the Pastoral Associates Group. We have developed a database of people willing to be called when help is requested. And we have volunteers willing to coordinate the initiative. When a request comes in, the minister or a Pastoral Associate identify a coordinator to work with the person requesting services and those willing to offer them. The coordinator sets up a calendar indicating who will be the caring callers, the frequency of calls and other details; then the designated volunteer phones on a given day at a predetermined time and asks the person how s/he is and what (if anything) s/he might need that day (often the call is enough). To the extent possible, the caller does what s/he can to fill the person’s request. Occasionally, someone's needs exceed our ability and we make referrals to organizations like Sudbury Angels or F.I.S.H. for additional help. Participation in PAG: Pastoral Associates serve at the invitation of the minister. Roles: convener, pastoral associates, call-a-day coordinators, helpers For more information contact the minister. Music Support GroupOverview/Mission of Group: to provide a rich and varied music program that draws upon the musical talents of this congregation. Music has a vital role in our worship experience. The goal is to offer music - both choral and instrumental - that will bring deeper meaning to services and serve as a time of musical meditation. The group respectfully strives to include music of many different religious and cultural backgrounds with an objective of using inclusive texts. As Unitarian Universalists, we are able to draw upon the whole spectrum of choral repertoire - both sacred and secular - to find music to inspire, center, and reflect. Roles: At the present time, there is no music committee per se, but people interested in supporting the music program in one of a variety of ways (e.g. administrative) are encouraged to speak with the Music Director. Instrumentalists within the congregation are enthusiastically welcome to play during the year. For more information, contact Debra Morris-Bennett, Music Director Religious Exploration Committee (under 18)Meeting Structure: monthly Overview/Mission of Group: The mission of the Religious Exploration Committee (REC) is to work with the Director of Religious Exploration (DRE) to oversee the RE program for people of all ages. Much of the work focuses on RE for children from birth through 8th grade and the Coming-of-Age and Our Whole Lives sexuality education programs for teens. Youth programming for high-schoolers is overseen by the RE Committee as well. The associated Spirit Play Task Force focuses on children ages 4-10 using the curriculum "Spirit Play" (a Montessori-based exploration program.) Commitment to Participate: Presently there is a two-year term with an option for a third year. We invite you to come to a meeting to see if the REC is a good way for you to give back to the community. Roles: The REC is made up of five to seven people, headed by one or two chairpersons. One committee member is the liaison with the Spirit Play Task Force and another attends Program Council meetings. Another member acts as the liaison and support person to the Morris Dancing program. Roles can be combined as appropriate to the members of the REC. The REC members attend meetings to determine policies and procedures. They serve as an advisory committee to, and collaborators with, the DRE. Recent Projects Include:
For more information, see the RE Prospectus (available in the FPS office), and contact us at REC  fpsudbury.orgWelcoming Congregation CommitteeMeeting Structure: Please call the office at 978-443-2043 for the next scheduled meeting date Overview/Mission of Group: The mission of the WCC is to explicitly affirm, welcome, support, and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons at First Parish, and to educate the congregation and society at large to the prejudice, injustice, intolerance and violence against LGBTs. The question is sometimes asked, "Why do we need a special committee to welcome LGBT persons to First Parish when we don't have a special committee to welcome other specific groups?" This population has been turned away as a group from places of worship "in the name of God." First Parish has made a conscious decision to be explicitly welcoming and affirming to LGBT persons because, in far too many cases, ours may be the only community that will. The goals of the Welcoming Congregation Committee are:
For more information, contact Donna Scalcione in the office Women's AllianceMeeting Structure: meetings and potlucks every month; a spring weekend retreat. Overview/Mission of Group: The Alliance meets every month for an informal potluck dinner and business meeting, sometimes at First Parish and sometimes in the home of a member. All women of the parish (members and friends) are automatically Alliance members and are welcome to participate at any time. Every spring the members of the Alliance participate in a weekend retreat where they focus on a spiritual topic and enjoy time together from Friday evening through early Sunday afternoon. The 2012 Retreat will be held from March 23 through 25 at the Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, Mass. A brochure with details and registration information will be available in early January. The Alliance runs fundraisers, including a yearly rummage sale, in order to fund the donations it makes to worthy organizations and to special projects within First Parish that would not otherwise be funded. Commitment to Participate: The Women's Alliance of First Parish is defined as ALL women members and friends of the congregation. There is no commitment to participate, but ... don't miss out! Roles: officers of the Alliance, elected each year, and members. All women are encouraged to take on roles to support the work of the alliance—fundraising, social planning, etc. Alliance members would like you to know: Alliance get-togethers are social, spiritual, philanthropic, and F-U-N all at the same time. The spring retreats are not to be missed! Whatever you need, you can get it there. For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Worship Associates GroupMeeting Structure: monthly at FPS, presently on a Tuesday evening. Overview/Mission of Group: The Worship Associates Group (WAG) works with the Minister, the Director of Religious Exploration and Youth Ministry, and the Music Director, to assess our worship services (Sundays in the Sanctuary, Village Worship, and summer lay-led services) and to provide supportive suggestions for future services. The WAG team serves as a resource by assisting the minister in planning the annual worship calendar, supporting her efforts to research certain topics, distributing selected worship services to the public in print and on the website, and offering congregational feedback to the staff about all aspects of worship at First Parish. In addition, the Worship Associates:
Commitment to Participate: terms are for two years; members are welcome to recommit for an additional term Roles: convener, members, and many "friends of WAG"—experienced helpers who step in to serve as worship hosts and help with summer service coordination WAG members would like you to know:
For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the minister. Finance and AdministrationFinance CommitteeMeeting Structure: ~ monthly Currently on a Monday evening at FPS Overview/Mission of Group: The First Parish Finance Committee includes the Finance Committee chair, the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, a member of and liaison to the Board of Trustees, and the chair of the Pledge Drive Committee. It may include other members who are also involved with the Human Resources Council, Buildings & Grounds committee, fundraisers, or other areas of importance to the financial welfare of First Parish. The Finance Committee prepares the annual operating budget in coordination with the First Parish staff and Council and the other committees, and presents it to the Board of Trustees for approval. The Finance Committee meets monthly during the year and reviews the financial status presented by the Treasurer quarterly. At least once each year, generally in November, the committee meets with the chair of the Investment Committee to review the status of assets under investment. The Finance Committee also takes an active role in supporting the various annual fund raising events, including the Fourth of July grill, the Harvest and Holly Fairs, and the auction. Commitment to Participate: Roles: Chair, Treasurer (elected), Assistant Treasurer (elected), members, trustee liaison, ex officio. For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Pledge Drive TeamMeeting Structure: As needed, the busiest time being January through mid-April. Overview/Mission of Group: The Pledge Drive Team organizes the annual pledge drive, when people make their annual financial commitment to support First Parish. A large portion of First Parish's income, to pay its operating expenses each year, comes from pledges. Each year in the spring, members and friends of First Parish sign financial commitment cards which state how much they commit to give during the next July-to-June fiscal year. Gifts, as well as pledges, are an important part of our revenue, but pledges provide the primary scaffolding upon which we build a budget. It is the pledges that enable our elected leaders to plan the next year's budget. The Pledge Drive team strategizes about the overall philosophy and the details of the spring pledge drive. It plans the publicity, pledge drive kick-off (and Pledge Sunday, along with the minister.) It recruits a team of canvassers to contact members and friends. And, it tracks pledge information to report to the trustees and Finance Committee. The team receives support from the trustees, the Finance Committee, and the Community and Hospitality Committee. Commitment to Participate: There is no term limit, but it is desirable for a member to commit to at least two years for continuity. Participation involves a real time commitment before and during the pledging season. Roles: Members. Responsibilities can be divided among the team, with one person responsible for tracking, one for communication, one for events planning, etc., but it is an overall collaborative team effort. Pledge Drive Team members would like you to know: "It is really gratifying to know that we are supporting our leaders as they prepare the budgets and plan for our future." For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Investment CommitteeMeeting Structure: several times each year Overview/Mission of Group: The mission of the First Parish Investment Committee is to invest the church's financial assets in a manner that will maximize long-term financial returns consistent with the preservation of capital.  It will also report regularly to the congregation. Commitment to Participate: no term limits presently For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Buildings and GroundsBuilding and Grounds CommitteeMeeting Structure: several times during the year when called Overview/Mission of Group: The Building and Grounds Committee maintains all FPS property. For the Atkinson Religious Education Building it prepares for and carries out maintenance, renovation and new construction. For the historic Meetinghouse and Carriage Shed it prepares for and carries out restoration and preservation. The Building and Grounds Committee is involved in the design of all building restoration and renovation work, as well as the hiring and overseeing of contractors and trades persons. Some maintenance projects need to be managed as the need arises. Others are put on a to-do list. A few times during the year the Building and Grounds Committee organizes work days and greatly appreciates volunteers who help with a variety of tasks. Types of projects managed: oiling doors and thresholds, painting, performing a sprinkler water drain inspection in the fall, resetting light timers and thermostats, managing humidity in summer, replacing light bulbs, other small repairs. Commitment to Participate: There are no term limits, and people with skills of all kinds are welcome! Roles: Co-chairs, regular committee members, and helpers. Building and Grounds Committee members would like you to know: You will learn a LOT about maintenance, especially the unique aspects of maintaining a historical property. No matter what your skill, your involvement will be appreciated. For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Landscape CommitteeMeeting Structure: monthly at FPS, currently on a Sunday at 11:45am Overview/Mission of Group: This committee is responsible for maintaining and improving the FPS landscaping, including the Memorial Garden. In addition to performing landscape maintenance, it addresses drainage concerns, stonework, walls and path construction, and selecting and installing plant materials. It also contracts and oversees lawn mowing and maintenance. The Landscape Committee has the responsibility for the "memorializing" aspects of the Memorial Garden, including interfacing with plant donors, planting and maintaining donated plants, maintaining records in the Memorial Book, supporting memorial services and weddings in the Memorial Garden, and managing the Memorial Garden Fund. With the Minister, members assist people in planning ahead for their own Memorial Service and their own Memorial Book page. Commitment to Participate: Presently there are no term limits. Members with a variety of skills (strong backs, good organizational skills, writing skills) play different roles to aid progress on the committee's projects. Roles: Chair (or co-chairs); committee members; occasional volunteers for projects such as spring/fall cleanup days, annual mum sale, and special projects. Landscape Committee members would like you to know: You will learn a lot about the many aspects of landscaping from members of our committee. Landscape projects are great multigenerational opportunities. Families are welcome! Many hands really do make lighter work! For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Leadership and SupportBoard of TrusteesMeeting Structure: ~ monthly Currently meeting on the first Monday evening of each month, September through June, plus a few extra meetings during the budgeting season. Overview/Mission of Group: The Board of Trustees is the governing body of First Parish of Sudbury. The board members are nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at the annual congregational meeting. Members of the Board:
Requirement and Commitment to Participate: Nominees must be official members of the congregation. A trustee typically serves for a three-year term. Roles: member, chair, clerk (an officer of FPS who attends board meetings) Board members would like you to know: "One of the great benefits of being a trustee is being able to see all the activities and things that go on to make the congregation such a vibrant community, and to meet all the wonderful people who care and give so much to make it so." "For me, the best part of being a trustee is witnessing first hand all of the heart that so many great people pour into FPS. It fills me with optimism." For information, contact a member of the nominating committee or one of the current trustees; see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Human Resource CouncilMeeting Structure: a few times per year when needed Overview/Mission of Group: Overall the job is to keep the human resource side of our congregation working smoothly. The council is here to provide support and consulting to individual staff, the trustees, the committees and the whole congregation. In this mission, the council works with many groups in the congregation - the Finance and the other committees close to the work of our treasured staff, the Community and Hospitality Committee, the Committee on Ministry and the Religious Exploration Committee. It works with the staff on specific and individual items and goal setting. It works with the trustees on the big picture, and overall direction and guidance. Members of the council will gladly meet with anyone from the congregation who wishes to give input. It works with the Finance Committee on staff compensation, following the existing team compensation philosophy of bringing any staff below UUA compensation guidelines toward the midpoint of the range. Roles: At present two individuals act as HR liaisons between staff and the congregation through the Board of Trustees. For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Committee on MinistryMeeting Structure: monthly Overview/Mission of Group: The Committee on Ministry (CoM) meets at least monthly with the minister and with other members of the congregation as necessary. Through discussions, this group seeks to understand, assess, support, and advocate for a strong and mutually supportive congregational ministry. The committee functions as a sounding board for both the minister and the congregation. It serves the whole congregational body. Trust, integrity, and confidentiality are essential to the work of this committee. When needed, the Committee on Ministry interprets for the congregation the nature and scope of the minister's work, helping to clarify role expectations and realistic priorities. To be effective, the committee invites congregants to speak with it regarding the ministry of both minister and congregation. When a congregant wishes to air a concern or a complaint, the person(s) may speak to the minister or to any member of the CoM. For the concern or complaint to be adequately addressed, however, the person must be willing to be identified and, if necessary, meet with the CoM and/or the minister for a frank and open conversation. The committee sees its function as supporting the work of the congregation and the minister in order to maintain a strong, thriving and healthy congregation. Commitment to Participate: Members of the CoM are invited to serve a three-year term by the Board of Trustees and the settled minister. Service is limited to two, three-year terms. Roles: minister, liaison from the Board of Trustees (board chair), committee members For information contact the minister Nominating CommitteeMeeting Structure: occasionally as needed; much of the communication between committee members can be done by email and phone Overview/Mission of Group: The committee's charge is to recommend a slate of nominees for the congregation's elected officers, for openings on the Board of Trustees, and/or any vacated, unexpired positions. In addition, the slate includes nominations for delegates to the annual Unitarian Universalist General Assembly, candidates for Nominating Committee, and when necessary, representatives to the Ministerial Search Committee. Commitment to Participate: Members of the committee are elected for a two-year term. Roles: The Nominating Committee comprises one liaison from the Board of Trustees and two members who are elected at the annual congregational meeting for alternating two-year terms. The members meet throughout the year and begin to discuss the open positions with congregants who might be interested to learn about and possibly fill a position. Nominating Committee members would like you to know: Serving on the Nominating Committee is a great way to "pay it forward" by helping shape the congregation's future leadership. For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. Program CouncilMeeting Structure: monthly. Presently, the Program Council meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month September to May (8 days after the Board of Trustees meeting) Council meetings are open to all who wish to attend. Overview/Mission of Group: The council is a group comprised of representatives from each program committee at First Parish. These representatives bring information from their committee to the council meeting, and information from the meeting back to their committees. Information from the board of trustees is communicated by the liaison/conveners, and they bring information back to the trustees. This streamlines the communication process about upcoming events, accomplishments and challenges. Decisions involving multiple groups at FPS can be made at Council meetings. The Program Council has one line in the FPS budget which is made up of the budgets of all of its program committees. The Council members make decisions jointly regarding the overall budget to be presented to the Finance Committee, and when adjustments need to be made, the council does this as a group. In addition to the budgets for the committees listed below, budgets for Pastoral Associates Group, Minister's Discretionary Fund, Leadership Development, Opportunities/New Initiatives and Hospitality and Coffee supplies also fall within the Council budget. The committees represented at council are: Community and Hospitality, Green Sanctuary, Faith in Action, Music, Religious Exploration for Children and Youth, Adult Programming, Welcoming Congregation, Women's Alliance, and Worship Associates For more information see Whom to Call (if signed in) or contact the office. |
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Gary will lead a book discussion group starting January 8 from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Brackett Room using Huston Smith's classic The World's Religions, an eight week tour of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Primal Traditions. The class is free and open to the public, but you might want to add this book to your Christmas list if you want to participate. Please note: we will be using the non-illustrated version of Smith's book. The pictures are nice, but the text is much abbreviated in the illustrated edition.
Our speaker will be Peg Espinola, who will talk about her experiences creating her music. Have you ever wondered how Peg and other musicians come upon ideas for their compositions? Just how does the "creative process" happen for them? Peg will discuss this subject and illustrate by playing and singing some of her own songs. It should be a fascinating hour, so do join us on Tues., Feb. 28th!
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Women’s Alliance Retreat March 23-25...Sign Up Now!