Membership Development

INFORMATION FOR NEWCOMERS

Questions Newcomers Might Ask

Questions some people might want answered

before they make a first visit to our church.

QUESTIONS	ANSWERS
1. Who are Unitarian Universalists?	1. Unitarian Universalism does not believe that religious authority lies in a specific book or person or creed, but that personal experience, conscience, and reason should be the final authorities in religion.
2. Who is welcome?	2. Our church prides itself on being a place where diversity is welcome. We covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person regardless of economic, ethnic and cultural background, or sexual preference.
3. What goes on during the worship service?	3. Our Sunday Service lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and includes readings, a children's story, hymns, singing by the choir and congregation, and a sermon or homily.
4. What is available for children?	4. Childcare is provided by experienced adult and teen caregivers, and adult teachers direct religious education.
5. If my child is reluctant to attend children’s programs without me, can she/he stay with me during the service?	5. Yes. You are welcome to keep your child with you. We ask only that you consider the influence of your child's behavior on the ability of others to participate in the service. If you choose, you can hear the service over speakers in the adjoining “Hospitality Room.”
6. What should we wear to church?	6. Whatever is comfortable for you. Clothing worn to our church ranges from very casual to ordinary, everyday attire.
7. Are there social activities that might help me to get to know other people in the church?	7. Seasonal potluck lunches are scheduled during the year so that members and friends can socialize after the service. Monthly dinner gatherings (“Carousel Dinners”) for small groups of six to eight individuals, held at members’ homes, provide an excellent way to get to know other people in the church (e-mail the Carousel Dinner Coordinator).
8. How can I get involved?	8. If you love to sing, you are invited to join the church choir (e-mail the Music Director). Each week small teams provide light refreshments after the service and help with set- up and clean-up (e-mail the Hospitality Coordinator). There are many opportunities to help with our annual fundraising events (see Fundraising below). Last, but not least, many people find that joining a committee makes it easier to become part of a community (see Committees below).
9. Does the church have a religious education program?	9. Yes. The Life Span Education program is designed to help touch the heart and nourish the soul of each child, youth, and adult member of our community (see Lifespan Education below).
10. How can I learn what’s going on?	10. Monthly newsletters are sent to members and friends either by e-mail or regular mail. They are also available online on this website. Most members and friends who have e-mail addresses choose to receive the newsletter electronically; others prefer to receive it by regular mail. (Receiving it by e-mail helps us to save money and paper.) If you would like to receive the newsletter, send your request to webmaster@uubelfast.org. The UUBB (an e-mail list) sends general announcement e-mails to the church community, and the UUCC (Caring Circle) communicates joys and concerns by e-mail. To subscribe, send your request to webmaster@uubelfast.org, specifying whether you want to be on UUBB, UUCC, or both.

Lifespan Education

Classes for children focus on UU identity, world religions, social justice, and environmental awareness. The adult religious education program includes classes on Unitarian Universalism, a Buddhist meditation group that meets on Thursdays from 5:30 – 6:30 (e-mail the Buddhist Group Coordinator), and lectures and discussions on special topics of interest throughout the year. The Small Group Ministry is especially recommended as a place for newcomers to connect with others. Each small group meets monthly in a member’s home or at the church to discuss a topic, poem, or book passage. Because UU congregants come from diverse backgrounds--humanist, Buddhist, atheist, Christian, Jewish, pagan, eco-feminist, and more--small groups help people to find common ground through genuine dialogue (e-mail the Small Group Ministry Coordinator).

Fundraising

Proceeds from a variety of fundraising activities help support the church’s programs and activities:

Utterly Unbelievable UU Auction

The Utterly Unbelievable UU Auction is the church’s major fundraiser of the year. Each spring, extra hands are needed to help collect and display items (e-mail the Fundraising Committee).

UU Clothing Resale

People throng to the UU Church of Belfast each winter to get bargains at the annual Clothing Resale. Extra hands are needed to help with set-up and sales (e-mail the Fundraising Committee).

Yard Sale

One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. The annual summer yard sale needs extra hands to help with organizing, setting up, and selling (e-mail the Fundraising Committee).

New Years By the Bay Lasagna Dinner

The UU Church of Belfast opens its doors to the community and provides an inexpensive lasagna dinner for Belfast’s annual New Year’s By the Bay celebration. Extra hands are needed to help with meal preparation, and setting up and cleaning up (e-mail the Fundraising Committee).

Bed & Breakfast Program

Over a dozen of our church members open their homes to visiting UUs from other parts of the country. This program got off to a successful start in the summer of 2006. If you would like to see the homes that are on the program, go to uubelfast.org/bb. If you would like to volunteer the use of your home, or help as a coordinator in the program, e-mail the B&B Program Coordinator.

Winter Solstice Celebration

Join us as we come together each winter to sing and dance to bring back the sun! Proceeds support worthy causes in the community. The net proceeds from this celebration go to a specific charity selected each year by the committee putting on the celebration (e-mail the Solstice Committee).

Committees & Groups

The responsibilities of the various church committees is summarized below. The current staffing of committees (and other positions) can be found at uubelfast.org/volunteers.htm. That listing identifies a committee’s chair or contact person, whom you should contact if you are interested in joining the committee. An asterisk indicates that a committee is a standing committee, meaning that it has an elected Representative to the Church Council.

Building and Grounds Committee*

The Building and Grounds Committee is responsible for improvements and enlargements of the facility, and maintenance and improvement of the church site and equipment.

Capital Campaign Committee

The UU Church of Belfast is growing at such a rapid rate that we may soon need to assess whether our church is big enough to accommodate everyone. In May 2006, the Capital Campaign and Endowment Committee launched a campaign to help the church get ready to grow, setting a goal of raising $45,000 to cover immediate repair needs to the roof, basement, floor joists, brick exterior, etc. That goal was met and exceeded by the generosity of church members, and by May 2007 nearly all of the building improvements had been accomplished.

Caring Circle

The Caring Circle complements the role of the minister in providing a caring presence to individuals in the UU Church of Belfast community who are experiencing health or emotional concerns, or who wish support during a life transition.

Church Council (Board of Trustees)

Leadership of the church is vested in the Board of Trustees (known as the Church Council), an administrative board composed of eleven elected members (two Co-Chairs, a Clerk/Secretary, a Treasurer, two Members At-Large, and five Standing Committee Representatives, one from each of five standing committees (denoted by an asterisk in this listing). The Finance Committee, the sixth standing committee, is represented on the Council by the Treasurer. The Council meets monthly throughout the year.

Finance Committee*

The Finance Committee is responsible for budgeting, pledge record keeping, bookkeeping, periodic independent auditing, and the management and reporting of financial resources. The Finance Committee also nominates the Treasurer for election at the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer serves as the representative of the Finance Committee on the Church Council.

Fundraising Committee

The Fundraising Committee plans activities to help support the church’s programs and outreach efforts. Activities include an annual auction, yard sale, clothing sale, Bed and Breakfast program, and New Year’s Eve dinner.

Green Sanctuary Committee

In 2004, The UU Church of Belfast received certification as a green sanctuary, joining other Unitarian Universalist congregations and eco-justice groups across the country concerned about the environment. The Green Sanctuary Committee helps the church to identify ways that it can reduce its impact on the environment and to encourage congregants to make lifestyle choices that are less damaging to the earth.

Lifespan Education Committee*

The Lifespan Education program is designed to help shape the heart, nourish the character, liberate the spirit and affirm the wondrous potential of each child, youth, and adult member of our community. It is divided into two subgroups: A Children’s Program Group and an Adult Program Group.

Membership Committee*

The Membership Committee helps people establish and maintain their connection to the church and feel enriched through their involvement. This is accomplished by attracting and welcoming newcomers, and helping people get involved.

Ministry Committee

The Ministry Committee serves as a support for the minister and is responsible for strengthening the quality of ministry in the congregation.

Safe Congregation Committee

The Safe Congregation Committee is charged with assuring a church environment that protects children and adults from harm and promotes their spiritual growth.

Services Committee*

The Services Committee is responsible for providing services that encourage the spiritual growth and intellectual well-being of the congregation, reflect the Belfast covenant and Unitarian Universalist principles and sources, and welcome all people. The Services Committee will also be responsible for musical resources that are: welcoming and inclusive; coordinated with the theme of the services; honoring of our Unitarian Universalist principles; and encouraging of congregational singing and participation by all ages.

Social Justice Committee*

The mission of the Social Justice Committee (SJC) is to stand with the most vulnerable, to address unjust power arrangements, and to foster and support alternatives that promote peace and justice for all. Locally, the SJC supports the Greater Bay Area Ministerium food cupboard; the Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast; and the Substance Abuse Task Force. Statewide, the committee supports the Restorative Justice Center of the Maine Council of Churches. Internationally, the committee supports the UUA’s work with the United Nations and efforts toward peace in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.

Stewardship Committee

The Church’s stewardship campaign plans for and raises the funds that will enable our human resources to flourish.

Volunteer Coordination Committee

The Volunteer Coordination Committee assists other church committees--both “standing” and “non-standing”--in filling vacancies. It also fills positions requiring a single person to execute a specific task—e.g., the sound system or hospitality. It also nominates candidates for elected positions on the Church Council, which are then voted on by the congregation at the annual meeting in May or June. The committee’s members are elected to two year terms at the Annual Meeting.

Welcoming Congregation Committee

The Welcoming Congregation Committee helps to guide the church to become more understanding of and welcoming to gays, lesbians, and bisexual and transgendered persons.