UNIVERSITY UNITARIAN CHURCH

Volunteer Opportunities

All UUC members are expected to serve the church as part of their stewardship of University Unitarian Church, and all UUC friends are invited and encouraged to do so as well. There are many ways to contribute your unique skills and talents here. Some opportunities are ongoing, and others are time limited. Below are some of the ongoing teams that are ready to welcome you! Short-term or special needs are announced from time to time.

If you’d like some guidance or are looking for a specific activity, or have a particular skill, please stop by the Connections Table on any Sunday. We’d love to talk with you and help you find “where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet,” as theologian Frederich Buechner said.

Sunday Welcoming and Hospitality

Sunday Welcoming Teams include ushers, greeters, coffee & hospitality, AV Tech Deck, and connections volunteers. Working together, we create an intentional climate of warmth and welcome for all who come through the doors at UUC.

Coffee Crew – Sets up coffee, tea and other refreshments for Sunday Services.
Greeters – Welcome visitors, members and friends to UUC each Sunday, assist with check-in at the kiosks, offer nametags, and help them find their way.
Ushers – Welcome all to the Chapel, help people find seats, and offer assistive listening devices or "fidget" supplies. During the service, Ushers also collect the offering and count & record attendance.
Upstairs Connectors – Circulate in Nathan Johnson Hall during Coffee & Conversations to greet newcomers and introduce them to others, help visitors find UUC Info Sessions, help people sign up for upcoming classes and events, and support connections to small groups, volunteering, and other church activities.
UUC Info Sessions – Connections volunteers host friendly drop-in opportunities after each Sunday Service to welcome visitors and the curious to UUC, get to know newcomers a bit, engage questions about Unitarian Universalism and this congregation, and offer individual connections to people, programs, and activities at UUC.
AV Tech Deck - Operate or assist with Chapel AV for Sunday Services or special events (including memorial services, weddings, workshops, conferences, and meetings at UUC).

Contact Janine Larsen, UUC Director of Ministries, to find out more or sign up to help on any of these teams.

You can also bring a contribution of snacks or treats for Sunday hospitality - any quantity, any time. Treats must be ready to serve and easy to eat out-of-hand. Just drop them by the kitchen in Nathan Johnson Hall when you arrive. A member of the Coffee Crew will be glad to receive your goodies and offer you an ingredients tag, so people with dietary restrictions can find the information they need to feel welcome, too!

UUC Bookstore

The UUC Bookstore is open on Sunday mornings following each service. New volunteers are always welcome. Interested? Contact Janine Larsen or Cindy Fuller.

Family Ministry

For Children & Youth

Does teaching or mentoring children or youth feed your soul? Many people tell us that working with children or youth gives them hope for the future. You might consider volunteering in our Religious Education classes, teaching Our Whole Lives (OWL) human sexuality curriculum, or being a mentor for our ninth grade Coming of Age (COA) Program. Contact Melody Moberg, UUC’s Director of Family Ministry or Aria Curtis, Family Ministry Coordinator, for more information or to volunteer.

For Adults

Perhaps you have a skill or passion that you would like to share with other adults in our community. You might consider offering to teach or facilitate an adult education class. Contact Janine Larsen, UUC’s Director of Ministries.

MINISTRY PROGRAMS

What ministry of the church do you want to help nurture?

For information on our Social Justice groups, Care Ministries and Memorial Reception Committee, contact the Rev. Beth Chronister. For information about other programs and committees, contact Janine Larsen, UUC’s Director of Ministries.

Committees

Do you want to contribute to a group that works together towards improving University Unitarian Church? Committees give great opportunities to get to know more people who share your interests. See below for committees you have the opportunity to join.

Art Committee

The Art Committee’s goal is to make sure that visual art is an integral component of the physical space facilities, worship services, and other programs of University Unitarian Church. We select emerging and established local artists to exhibit their work in our Chapel and host occasional exhibits of work by church members. We hang the exhibits, host artist receptions and care for the artworks which are owned by the church. We may also become involved in finding or commissioning new art for spaces in our recently remodeled building. Volunteers come from a range of backgrounds; no special expertise is required. For more information or to become involved in the work of the Art Committee, please contact Rhona Jack, or Judy Oerkvitz.

Connections Team

The Connections Team focuses on several areas of congregational life, including

Staffing the Connections Station every Sunday morning
Facilitating UUC Info Sessions after every Sunday service
Supporting “Exploring UU” classes and welcoming new members
Assisting visitors and mentoring new members in finding their places within our community
Organizing community-building activities and events.

Contact Janine Larsen, UUC Director of Minsitries, if you are interested in joining the Connections Team or would like more information.

Memorial Reception Committee

The Memorial Reception Committee helps provide gracious space for the friends and family members who wish to remain together for a time after memorial services at the church. We arrange small tables, simple decorations, and prepare and serve coffee, tea, punch, and cookies, provided by the church. Additional foods and/or beverages may be provided and served by family. Contact the Rev. Beth Chronister to be connected to committee leaders. During UUC’s building period, memorial services will be held at neighboring UU churches.