Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church. Information Guide. Updated April, Compassionate Community, Spirited Searching, Courageous Actions.

Transcription

1 Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church Information Guide Updated April,

2 Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church Vision Statement We welcome you! Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church welcomes people of all ages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, classes, abilities, languages, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. Our liberal religious denomination encourages each person to pursue his/her/their own spiritual journey. We are a covenantal not creedal religion. We ask you to affirm and promote these Seven Principles: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The living tradition we share draws from many sources: Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life; Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love; Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life; Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit; Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. 2

3 Covenants to Each Other In the spirit of affirming the dignity and human worth of all persons, and in our individual searches for truth and meaning, as congregants of Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church, we make the following commitments to one another in the spirit of love: We work to build community. We treat one another in a friendly, open, and welcoming manner. We participate in the life of the community, and give generously of ourselves and our resources. We actively listen to each other. We care for one another. We inspire others to participate in the life of the church and acknowledge their contributions. We work toward open and respectful communication. We assume the best of others and treat them with courtesy, honesty, and good faith. We speak for ourselves alone. We discuss issues out in the open and avoid gossip. We nurture person-to-person and group-to-group relationships. We give and seek constructive feedback in our relationships with one another. We accept responsibility to work constructively to maintain right relationships. We treat others with dignity and sensitivity even when in disagreement. We stay in the conversation, even when conflicts arise. We attempt to understand the perspective of the other even while in disagreement with that viewpoint. We seek common ground rather than dwell on differences and challenge ourselves to forgive past wrongs. We commit to working within those processes that have been developed to resolve conflict and keep our congregation healthy. We begin each service by reciting this covenant: Love is the spirit of this church, and service its gift. This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another. 3

4 Membership Information Pathways to Membership Are you interested in becoming a member at Northwoods? The Pathways to Membership class will tell you all about what it means to be a member, and is a prerequisite for signing the Membership book. Three-part series: Gain a little background on Unitarian Universalism. Learn about Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church. Explore what it means to be a member. Bring all of your questions! For more information, call or office@northwoodsuu.org. After attending the Pathways to Membership visitors are invited to sign the book. The books have served as a log of membership since 1978, and signing into the book is the last step in becoming a member of Northwoods. Getting to Know Us First: Meet and Greet Not sure if membership is right for you? Join us for a visitor s meet and greet on the fourth Sunday of each month. We also host coffee and conversation after every Sunday service. If you want people to know you are new and looking to learn more, use a red mug. 4

5 Church Ministries and Structure Spiritual Life Ministry: Transforming Lives by deepening connection between the personal and the transcendent through celebration, contemplation and articulation. The Spiritual Life Ministry of Northwoods strives to help members explore the meaning and purpose of our lives through the lens of Unitarian Universalist tradition and theology. We worship together as a community each week, where we can discover comfort, challenge and celebration. Through spiritual practices, shared worship experiences and a continued openness to ongoing revelation, we listen together and individually for the ways in which the transcendent is breaking into our lives. Congregational Life Ministry: Walking Together by creating, strengthening and repairing the congregation s threads of interconnection. The Congregational Life Ministry provides opportunities to practice caring for one another through fellowship, mutual support and hospitality. Recognizing that life brings both cause for celebration and struggle, we embrace the whole of our lives while also creating strong bonds of community. Religious Education Ministry: Learning through Enlightenment by challenging one another to articulate and embody our Unitarian Universalist faith. The Religious Education Ministry ensures that those of all ages and backgrounds are equipped with an understanding of our Unitarian Universalist faith, and how we can actively live it out in the world. Social Environmental and Economic [S.E.E.] Justice Ministry: Transforming the World by taking action and creating real change in people s lives. The S.E.E. Justice Ministry challenges us to live up to the liberal religious assertion that we have a responsibility to participate in building a more just, more sustainable and more equitable society. We seek to practice both charitable contribution as well as direct action so that both our community and our selves may be transformed by compassion. Foundational Ministry: Upholding the Church by sustaining financial, personnel and physical infrastructure for the congregation. The Foundational Ministry of Northwoods ensures good stewardship of our physical and financial resources, and provides the necessary support to empower the other ministries of the church. This ministry ensures the continuation of day-to-day operation of the church, as well as securing the future growth, leadership and well-being of our congregation and ministries. 5

6 NUUC ORGANIZATIONAL CHART CONGREGATION BOARD of TRUSTEES (BOT) MINISTER Congregational Committees Leadership Development Committee Ministerial Search Committee STAFF FOUNDATIONAL LIFE (Upholds the Church by sustaining financial, personnel & physical infrastructure) SPIRITUAL LIFE (Transforms lives by deepening connections between the personal and transcendent through celebration, contemplation and articulation) CONGREGATIONAL LIFE (Walking together by creating and strengthening Congregation s threads of interconnections) NUUC Shared Ministries Shared Ministry Council EDUCATIONAL LIFE (Life Span Faith Development through Religious Exploration enlightenment by challenging one another and embodying our Unitarian Universalist faith) SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIC JUSTICE (Transforming the world by taking action and creating real change in people s lives) Healthy Congregation Committee (Keeper of the Covenant Right Relations: Strengthening the congregation by acting to maintain and restore its health on multiple levels) LEDGEN: Solid lines Direct Report: Dotted Line Communication lines Board of Trustees President: Brenda Hutchinson President Elect: Gay Lynn Pierce Past President: Lisa Cronce Treasurer: Rud Merriam Parliamentarian: Jeff Graeber Secretary: Cyndie Mahaney Trustees: Kate Rhoad and Terry Meyer 6

7 BOT and STANDING COMMITTEES REPORTING CHART Board of Trustees (8) President, President Elect, Secretary, Parliamentarian, Treasurer, Foundation Trustee, Ministry Council Trustee, Past President, (Minister is nonvoting member ) FOUNDATIONAL LIFE Reports to Foundational Trustee Staff Support- Church Administrator (STANDING COMMITTEES) Building & Grounds Communications Finance Endowment Stewardship Human Resources Membership (TEAMS As Required) Bylaws Revision Interim Ministerial UUA Network Shared Ministry Council Reports to Ministry Council Trustee (5) SPIRITUAL LIFE Worship Arts (STANDING COMMITTEE) TEAMS Small Group Ministries Spiritual Practice Groups CONGREGATIONAL LIFE Lay Ministry/ Pastoral Care (STANDING COMMITTEE) TEAMS Avant Garden Gallery Hospitality Interest Groups EDUCATIONAL LIFE Staff Support - CFD Lifespan Faith Development (STANDING COMMITTEE) AGE GROUPS Adult Children, Youth SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIC, JUSTICE Welcoming Congregation (STANDING COMMITTEE) TEAMS Millbend Share-The-Plate Arts In-Action Rummage Sale Other Projects NUUC Shared Ministries and Teams Healthy Congregation Committee (3) (#) MEMBERS 7

8 NUUC ELECTION/APPOINTMENT CHART CONGREGATION BOARD of TRUSTEES (BOT-8) (6) Elected by Congregation 1. President (becomes Past President 3 rd year) 2. President Elect (becomes President 2 nd year) 3. Secretary - 2 Years 4. Parliamentarian - 2 Years 5. Treasure - 2 Years 6. Foundational Trustee - 2 Years 7. Ministry Council Trustee - 2 Years 8. Past President MINISTER Call for Settled Minister Vote must be 90% approval of the Congregation Vote Congregational Committees Leadership Development Committee (4) Ministerial Search Committee (7) 1. Leadership Development - 2 years (4) Elected by Congregation Responsible for nominating & developing church leaders 2. Ministerial Search (7) 2 years max: (5) Elected by Congregation (2) Appointed by the BOT All members of the Ministerial Search Committee must be Members of the Congregation. Healthy Congregation (3) Members of the Congregation - 3 year rotating term - (1) Appointed by BOT (1) Chosen by Minister (1) Elected by Congregation 8

9 Sundays at Northwoods Before and After Worship Service Greeters are in the front foyer waiting to assist guests and members of the church. A greeter will give congregants an Order of Service and answer questions. Nametags can be found in the foyer in our nametag cabinet. If you do not have a nametag, there are temporary nametags on the small table in the foyer, and a signup sheet to request a new nametag. Brochures, magazines, and other bits of information, can be found in the foyer at our Welcoming Table. Coffee and Conversation Join us after the service for complimentary coffee, tea, and light snacks. Visitors are asked to use a red mug if they would like others to know they are new. Adult Forums Informational Adult Forums are often held in the Garden Room before serves from 9:30 to 10:25 a.m.. Special Services Weddings Northwoods offers wedding ceremonies for both same sex and straight couples, with services that are developed by the minister in consultation with the couple. For the DIY wedding, our space is available for rent, and the couple may choose their own officiant. Memorial Services Memorial services are planned by the minister in consultation with the family of the deceased to honor the memory of that individual. Sometimes the service includes a time for those present to remember the deceased with a story or anecdote. Hymn singing and instrumental music help celebrate the honored life and comfort friends and family. Costs for Services Northwoods members and immediate family of Northwoods members can utilize the space at no cost for weddings and memorial services. If you are not a member and would like information on rental rates, please contact the church office: office@northwoodsuu.org or

10 Sunday Programs for Children and Youth For families with young children Childcare is available for our youngest friends in the childcare room from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. The family room, with a window to the sanctuary and a speaker, is available for parents with very young children. There is a changing table in the Family Room. There are busy bags, with crayons, small toys, and games, at the back of the sanctuary for those families who chose to keep children in the sanctuary for the entirety of the service. Religious Education Classes 10:00am to 12:00pm - 8th-12th grade will be in the Teen Room; 10:30am to 11:30am - 6th and 7th grade will be in the library. During the Service - PK - 5th grade will be released to RE classes during the service: PK/K will be in Room 7. 1st - 3rd will be upstairs in Room 10 and 4th and 5th grades will be in the classroom next to the library. New to Northwoods? If you are new, please fill out a RE Guest Card found in the Order of Service, and send it to class with your child(ren). After a few visits, we would prefer you register your children for RE classes so that we are able to take excellent care of your little ones and keep accurate records of attendance. You do not have to be a member to be enrolled in RE. For more information on enrollment, contact the church office: office@northwoodsuu.org or

11 Music at Northwoods Northwoods has an exciting and dynamic music program, and you are invited to be a part of it. Opportunities abound and your voice and your enthusiasm are needed. Paul Klein and Klây Vàge... perform music from spiritual singer-songwriter traditions including some original songs, delivered with tight harmonies, and mixing in retro and contemporary rock. Guest musicians Northwoods-Slide-5are invited to sit in as material and arrangements allow. Sings on the fourth Sunday of each month; rehearses Thursday nights. See Paul Klein for additional information. Flute Choir... brings a variety of selections from classical to the most contemporary with multipart music for flutes and other instruments. Plays on fifth Sundays. Susan Blackmore at SGBlackmore@aol.com. Folk Choir... music from folk and rock traditions with guitar-based accompaniment. Sings on the third Sunday of each month; rehearses Tuesday nights. All singers welcome. Some opportunities for other instruments. Contact director Rusty Rhoad at ltstahler@sbcglobal.net for additional information. The Folk Choir is always welcoming for new voices. HUUGS (Harmonious UU Group of Singers) choral group sings on the second Sunday of every other month. It is composed of folks who like to sing harmony and can read music because the practices are limited. If you are interested in joining, please contact Judy Bunch at judysbunch@gmail.com or Other opportunities to get involved with the music program: On-Call Instrument List: The Worship Arts Committee maintains a list of musicians that are willing to play on occasion with one of the groups. If this is your level of interest, contact Rusty Rhoad at lt-stahler@sbcglobal.net. Sound Team: Critical to the music ministry is our team of sound technicians who work the board during services and performances. Contact Cyndie Mahaney to sign up, cyndie@techie.com. Training for technicians is provided; no experience needed. Dance Choir Rev. Donna s ministry includes occasional dance in worship. The Northwoods Dance Choir is the fifth dance choir that Rev. Donna has started in the congregations she has served. Dance experience is not necessary to learn the simple but moving routines that are performed occasionally on Sundays. For more information, contact Rev. Donna: revdonna@northwoodsuu.org. 11

12 12