Adult Ed / Social Concerns

Our purpose is to foster, support and coordinate the ongoing education of adult members of our congregation and larger community relative to our Principles of Faith; encourage the community to affect the political process on issues of social conscience, and to serve as a congregational catalyst for implementing the Resolutions as approved at annual UUA General Assembly. We also support the efforts of independent church groups having an educational or social justice component.

Buildings & Grounds

Our responsibility is to care for and maintain the church building and grounds. We attend to what enhances the worship experience and building use for members as well as how the space may be better utilized by the larger community in order to further the church's vision statement.

Caring

The Caring Committee cares for and about the members of our society. We assist the minister with pastoral care by letting the minister know when a member might find it helpful to talk, or would like a visit at home/hospital/ nursing home. With permission, we alert members of the congregation about those in need or would like visitors, flowers, or a telephone call. Cards of caring, joy or concern are sent. By use of a telephone tree, we contact each member monthly or as requested, when we have important society news to share.

Denominational Affairs

We provide a liaison between the congregation, the UUA and the district. We discuss denominational concerns and issues, promote education on UU General Assembly resolutions, foster an understanding of and commitment to our responsibilities as a member-church of the Association of UU congregations and prepare a pool of members to be delegates to the GA & district meetings.

Finance

We are comprised of the Church Treasurer, immediate past Treasurer, Canvass Chair/Co-Chairs, Endowment Committee Chair and other interested parties. We oversee all Church financial affairs, including the annual operating fund, capital fund and endowment. We coordinate fundraising activities to support these funds; the annual pledge canvass, general fund-raising activities and solicitations, capital fundraising and planned giving.

Membership

Our main purpose is to welcome visitors and strengthen relationships among new and older members of the church community. We help visitors feel at home in our church community, introducing them to members during Sunday coffee hour and inviting them to Circle Suppers, pot lucks, church events and programs. We send Information Packets on Unitarian Universalism, our church community and a Newsletter to visitors who complete a yellow Visitors Card. Our biannual New UU Class helps interested visitors understand how the church works, investigate their personal theology and learn more about UUism. Our Mentoring Program helps integrate new members into our community.

Committee on Ministry

One of our main functions is to hear members' concerns, comments and compliments regarding all aspects of worship in the church. Our purview includes "ministry" in all forms, by the settled minister and others. We meet monthly with the minister to discuss these and other issues.

Music

We are comprised of the Music Director and other interested parties. We are responsible for enhancing the church's music program above and beyond what is offered during Sunday services, including planning music for special services and developing a concert series.

Communications

We promote the benefits of our offerings inside and outside of the church (programs, building, staff & worship experience) with church brochures, vision statement, press, Website, Signs, Mass Bay District Link, e-mail, Interfaith e-mail.

Religious Education

Our goal: to provide excellent, informative and nurturing lifespan religious education for church members, friends and their families. Through a variety of activities, (class time, drama and worship), adults and children work in intergenerational or age specific groups to develop personally and to explore UU principles.

Ushering

We ensure that members and visitors are welcomed upon arrival; that the Sunday morning worship experience is safe, secure and smoothly run. We function as a First Responder in the event of an emergency.

Worship

Our mission is to provide assistance, support and good counsel to the minister regarding worship; provide high quality and meaningful services aligned with our UU principles when the minister is not in the pulpit, and to enrich the overall worship experience at the church.

Council

This working group of Committee Chairs strives to match talents to tasks, nurture leadership skills and serve as a vehicle of communication for setting the calendar for our church year.

Special Programs

New Year's Eve Peace Service

This annual service offers music, meditation, readings, and candlelight around the theme of world peace.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Our annual MLK Peace March and Program on the 3rd Monday in January goes back to 1988, when a Sunday School child and her Mom marched in Rockport to honor Dr. King. This whole-church tradition attracts a large interfaith community gathering.

Open Door

Our congregation is responsible for cooking and serving 4 Open Door free meals yearly, on the 2nd Saturday of January, April, July and October, in conjunction with the Cape Ann Food Pantry. This important outreach service to the wider community is a fun way our church members work together.

Men's Group

A men's support group is in the process of forming this year, following guidelines of the UU Men's organization. To learn more about it and how to participate, contact the church office for details.

Woman's Book Group

This group meets monthly at participant's homes. We read and discuss a variety of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry as chosen by the women attending. All women are welcome to join us.