PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Ours is an active church with a great number of opportunities for people to become involved. Our Sunday Services are held at 10:30 a.m. Our monthly NEWSLETTER, contains information about forthcoming events. Almost everything that goes on is open to all who are interested. Our monthly calendar gives an overview of the schedule. Choose below the program that interests you!
WORSHIP SERVICES
At the core of every religious community are the gatherings for worship. For us, worship is not an obligation owed to a supernatural being, but an opportunity to gather to celebrate the values we cherish. Worship is a time for both sustenance and challenge. We are people who find spiritual uplift in grappling with the complexities of life. Our focus is not on another life, but on making this one better. Ours is a small congregation of approximately 50 members, and we have guest UU ministers as well as guest ministers from other denominations. We welcome all religious perspectives (or no religious perspective at all) in our speakers and we also invite lay people to speak to us on various themes. A Programs Committee is responsible for inviting and scheduling our guest speakers. Several times a year, we also have lay-led services. We cannot promise that everyone will equally appreciate every Sunday service - we are too diverse for that and so is the fare we offer. We can promise you will not be bored!!
BOARD MEETING
Meetings are open to all and are scheduled for Sunday evenings
DOUBLE CIRCLE DINNER
A Double Circle Dinner is held once a month at church. It is generally hosted by a member or friend of the congregation. The host is responsible for the main dish and drink and all attending bring a dish to pass. This a great opportunity for fellowship and the sharing of good food.
SOUP / SALAD SUNDAY
Each month we have a carry-in lunch of soups or salads, depending on the season. Following services and in the church building this is an opportunity for festive fellowship.
MUSIC
The choir welcomes new voices at any time. The most important qualification is that you like to sing!! Please contact Louise Clark (winilulu@aol.com), our music director, if you are interested.
Music performances are a regular part of services. Please check in the newsletter for specifics.
PASTORAL CARE
A group of members provide pastoral care to members and non-members, visiting, chatting, and sharing.
YARD SALE
Another favorite fundraising activity is our Church Yard Sale held twice a year. This is a great opportunity to clean your attics and garages and benefit the church. Here the old adage applies: Someone's trash becomes someone's treasure!!!
SERVICE AUCTION
Every year in March we hold our annual Service Auction at which participants have the opportunity to bid on services provided by other members of the congregation. This is a great fundraising opportunity for the church as well as an opportunity for members and friends to get better acquainted.
MASTER CALENDAR
The events listed below are those to be considered annually. The group responsible for planning the event of activity is noted. The Board of Trustees and all committees should each review this calendar monthly to be reminded of their respective responsibilities and to become aware of tasks which may require others' assistance.
EVERY MONTH
q Board of Trustees monthly meeting (Board)
q Newsletter Deadline - Last Sunday (Newsletter Editor)
JULY
q New fiscal year and new officers begin July 1
q Budget revision if needed
q Membership Meeting (Board)
§ Approval of new budget (Finance)
q Auditing Committee starts (Auditing)
q Committees meet to discuss plans for coming year (all committees)
AUGUST
q Committees submit goals and timelines to Board for Master Calendar (all committees)
q Water ceremony
q Yard sale
SEPTEMBER
q Labor Day picnic (Hospitality)
q Committee Chair and Board retreat
q Membership Meeting (Board)
q New Directory is prepared (Membership)
OCTOBER
q United Nations Sunday (Program)
NOVEMBER
q Thanksgiving Celebration on Sunday before holiday (Program)
q Guest at Your Table Project (Social Action)
q Christmas families chosen (Social Responsibility)
q Early registration for General Assembly
q New Directory if published (Administrator)
DECEMBER
q Child Recognition (or R.E) Service on the 2nd Sunday (Program)
q Holiday Programs
q Hiliday families assisted (Social Responsibility)
JANUARY
q Founders' Day - January 9, 1955: Fellowship was founded (Program)
§ "Homecoming" invitations sent to former members and friends 2 weeks in advance (Membership)
q Meeting of each committee to review progress for the fiscal year and revise plans/goals as needed (all committees)
q Membership meeting (Board)
§ Select a Nominating Committee (60 days before Annual Meeting)
§ Discuss resolutions for the General Assembly
§ Choose a chair for the Spring Yard sale (Finance)
q Determine current number of active members for UUA report due Feb. 1 (Board of Membership)
FEBRUARY
q UUA Report of number of active members due Feb. 1 (Board of Membership)
q Pay insurance (Treasurer)
MARCH
q Proposed budget submitted for Board recommendation (Board meeting)
§ Prepare agenda for Annual Meeting.
§ Mail (email when possible) notice of Annual Meeting along with Proposed Budget and Nominations 10 days before meeting
§ Choose delegate to Heartland Meeting
§ Put out sign up sheets for committees
APRIL
q Annual Meeting of Membership (Board)
§ Election of Board members and officers
§ Selection of Auditing Committee
§ Proposed budget submitted for approval (Finance)
q Earth Day: April 22 (Program)
q Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch (R.E. and Hospitality)
q Meeting of each committee to prepare report for Annual Meeting
§ Submit budget requests for next fiscal year
§ Reassess job responsibilities
§ Make recommendations for the next term
MAY
q Mother's Day
q Memorial Day Picnic (Hospitality)
q Selection of new committee chairs (Board)
q Annual Incorporation Report due to Secretary of State's office May 31
JUNE
q UUA General Assembly
q End of fiscal year and terms of office on June 30
q Installation of officers
q Old chairs turn over notebooks and materials to new chairs following training
q Review minister's contract (Board)
CALENDARS FOR SPECIFIC COMMITTEES AND GROUPS
Board of Trustees
Archives
Auditing
Denominational Affairs
Finance
Hospitality,
Long Range Planning
Marketing (Proposed),
Membership
Music
Nominating
Sunday Services (Programming, Adult Religious Education, Children and Youth Religious Education
Social Responsibility
February Submit budget needs to Finance Committee for proposed budget.
March Prepare agenda for April Annual Meeting
May Prepare year-end recommendations for the next fiscal year.
August Submit goals & timelines to Board to include Master Calendar.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
March Submit notice of Annual Meeting to newsletter editor along with the Finance Committee's proposed budget and Nominating Committee's nominees
April (Annual Meeting) - Present brief report of efforts for past year.
ARCHIVES
December Organize materials for display at Founders Day gathering.
FINANCE
March Prepare proposed budget and present to Board for recommendation.
April Present proposed budget to Membership for approval at Annual Meeting.
MEMBERSHIP
September Prepare a directory to distribute in November.
Ongoing Create (or revise if necessary) a brochure about our congregation for visitors and new members
Ongoing Review newsletter mailing list
NOMINATING
February Meet to determine list of active members and prepare notice for March newsletter
March Poll membership in writing via newsletter/email for suggestions of nominees with deadline (6 weeks before before the Annual Meeting).
March Tabulate results and investigate eligibility and willingness of nominees to serve
April Present slate in notice of Annual Meeting via April newsletter and/or email.
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First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Terre Haute Indiana Liberal Religion Church
- last updated
06/07/2006