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Activities and Committees Adult Religious
Education The Rev. Tracy Sprowls Jenks Seeks
ideas and plans for study groups, seminars, and adult classes. Publishes a
schedule of upcoming classes twice yearly.
Additional contact: The Rev. Sarah Lammert (usr.minister@verizon.net or
201-444-6225 x 12). Anti-Racism Committee Margaret White Examines concerns in the light of UU principles and our vision of
working towards an inclusive and just society by uprooting racism in our
congregation and the larger community.
Hosts the monthly meeting of the Bergen County branch of the People’s
Organization for Progress (P.O.P.), a grass-roots groups working against
racism and all oppression. The committee meets on an as-needed basis and all
are welcome to join. Art Committee Carol Wolf Schedules shows and hosts opening receptions for
artists within and outside the Society to display and sell their works. Book Group (One Book USR) Nell Seymour A congregation-wide book group for which members are
invited to read a selected book at the same time and to come together for
discussion. Buildings and
Grounds Oversees
maintenance of buildings and grounds. Building Use/ Rentals Nell Seymour 201-444-6225
x11 usr.administrator@verizon.net Oversees
the use of our space by outside groups and individuals, as well as Society
groups. |
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CAMP-YDP Mary Boutin Gail
Ferrone Barbara
Goldberg John & Sue Handley Eileen
Mohan CAMP-YDP sustains an after-school and summer camp from
the Northside neighborhood of Paterson.
Volunteers from USR visit Paterson weekly to assist the children with
their homework and to tutor them individually through a special reading
program. If you would like to help,
please contact anyone listed above. Canvass Ed Collins Volunteers
conduct the annual pledge drive which provides the basic financial support
for the Society. Scheduled in
coordination with the Fellowship Feast. Caring Committee Ellen Anderson Maria Flynn Reaches out to help members and friends in time of need
by telephoning, visiting, sending cards, delivering food from our freezer,
driving, and shopping for shut-ins. Chalice Lighters Carolyn Musser Co-ordinates fall and spring collections to support congregations in
the metro district. Choir (Society Singers) The Society has an adult choir that sings at Sunday services several
times throughout the year. New voices
are always welcome. Citizens for Swimming Sue Handley Raises money to buy Graydon Pool guest badges for CAMP
children from Paterson (see CAMP-YDP) to use during the month of August. The program (three days for four weeks)
provides the children with swimming lessons and the opportunity to enjoy this
beautiful facility. Coffee Hour Arranges for refreshments after Sunday Services while
we are meeting and greeting. Committee on Aging Terri
Rondinaro John Mc Gough Create a permanent and continuing resource of member
contacts and a library of printed resources, both governmental and private,
to assist the elderly and disabled in addressing their physical, social,
financial and spiritual needs. Committee on Ministry Helen Matusow-Ayres Strengthens the quality of ministry within the
congregation. Ministry can be defined
as what we do together as a congregation and minister to further the goals
and purposes of our society. The
committee serves as a confidential support group for the minister and a
communication channel between the minister and the congregation. The minister, as a part of the COM, will
attend all meetings of the COM. Congregational Dinners Linda Allen Bea
Cronin For all
members, friends, and newcomers.
Dinners for adults are held in members’ homes and family dinners are
held at the Society. Connections Caroline Lavanhar Doris
Griffin Connections is the small group ministry program of the
Unitarian Society of Ridgewood. Participants may choose between 8
session groups starting in October 2007 or January 2008. Connections provides
a forum for exploring one's spiritual and intellectual life as well as a
chance to deepen one's sense of belonging in community. Sessions are
facilitated and follow a specific format for sharing and listening. Groups
include Parents, Social Action, Men's Group and Life's Issues. Cooperative Religious Education Committee Judy Silver The Children and Youth RE program is a cooperative
effort of the parents, the staff, and the Society. Also acts as liaison between the Religious
Education Minister and the congregation, discussing suggestions and concerns
in regard to the RE program. Cottage Place Veronica Coro, Administrator A residential home at 122 Cottage Place for 14 senior
citizens operated by S.H.A.R.E., Inc., whose board includes members and
friends of our Society and other religious organizations in our
community. Volunteers are needed to
prepare Saturday and Sunday dinners. Denominational
Affairs Kris Henrickson Keeps abreast of the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association
and the local district; shares that information with us and represents us at
UUA meetings. Environmental Action Committee Anne Smith Mary
Dooman Works to educate the congregation on environmental
issues, institute environmentally friendly practices at USR facilities and
promote environmental issues in local and federal government. Fellowship Feast Dinner: Mary McBride Elyse Pleasic Entertainment: Donal
Bergin Jeff Cagan Combines
fellowship, feasting, and financial pledging once a year. Many hands help. Come and enjoy! Happens in mid-March. Finance Committee Ralph Pleasic, Treasurer Is responsible for the finances of the Society and the
fundraising activities on which the Society depends. Flowers Robin Ritter Members and friends provide flowers for our
services every Sunday. Gardens Elaine Petrowski Oversees planting and maintenance of seasonal and
permanent plantings on the Society’s property. Greeters Members and friends volunteer to welcome us at each
service. Please say yes when you are
called. History and Archives Jack Seymour Sorts, preserves, and makes accessible the records of
our history. The committee meets
every Tuesday morning in the Reeb house Archives Room - new members are
always welcome. Homeless Betsy Longendorfer Sharon McGovern-Wolbert Coordinates volunteers from our Society to provide food
and chaperones at the Inter-Religious Fellowship’s family shelter in
Englewood. Hunger Committee Ira Mendelsberg Collects and arranges for the donation of food to
pantries in Paterson and throughout Bergen County. Organizes participation in the annual Crop
Walk in October, donor coupons, and other programs. Intern Committee Kris Henrickson The Intern Committee exists to facilitate the process
of our congregation becoming a Teaching Congregation. During the 2006-2007
year the Society successfully mentored our first full-time intern, Edward
Scott Michael. Our intention is to have another intern for the 2008-2009 year
so this year the committee will be working with our minister Sarah Lammert to
select next year's candidate. Leadership Leaves Caroline Lavanhar Carol
Loscalzo A cooperative program of 11 UU congregations in New
Jersey making it possible for parish ministers and religious education
professionals to go on a sabbatical.
The program requires participation financially and by sharing
coverage. USR participates for both
its minister and director of religious education. Library Marilyn Maney Come
borrow from and/or help to catalog and manage our growing collection. The library is in the Reeb Conference
Room. A selection from the library is
available on the cart at the visitor’s table. Membership Nancy Mack Harry Seymour The goal of the Membership committee is to grow the USR
membership through activities that attract visitors, encourage membership,
and prevent attrition. Specific activities include advertising, community
events, newcomer dinners, new member Sundays, providing greeters for Sunday
services and welcoming visitors. Men’s Groups Several men’s groups have been started. Each sets its own schedule and determines
its own purpose. If you are interested
in joining (or starting a group) contact the office at 201-444-6225. Music Debby Goodell The role of the Music Committee is to act as a sounding
board for congregational concerns about the Sunday Service music. We act as a
liaison to the Music Director. We also organize an adult chorus
named The Society Singers which currently meets for four weeks
prior to a Sunday service performance: once in the fall and twice in the
spring. Most of our efforts go into organizing a series
of concerts held in Anderson auditorium for the benefit of The Society
and the community at large. We occasionally raise money through these
concerts for Social Action causes, and for the past four years we have
raised money for a piano scholarship given by the Professional Music
Teachers' Guild of New Jersey via our Two Piano Festival. Nominating Committee Bob Shoemaker Elected at the Annual Meeting, offers a slate of
officers and trustees for election at the Annual Meeting the following year. Pastoral Associates The Rev. Sarah Lammert The Pastoral Associates is a lay ministry of the
Unitarian Society. The Pastoral
Associates assist the minister in visiting our members and friends who are in
the hospital, are struggling with chronic illness, or need a listening ear
during a particular crisis in their lives.
If you would like a visit from one of our Pastoral Associates, please
contact The Rev. Sarah Lammert or Dianne Kidwell. Peace and Justice Helen Lindsay Covers many issues relating to peace and economic and
social justice, including the destabilizing influence of war, pre-emptive
strikes, unilateralism vs. multilateralism, civil liberties, and the
increasing disparity in income. Activities
include speakers, films, study sessions, joining demonstrations, and
contacting legislators. Personnel Committee Bea Cronin Develops the Society’s written personnel policies for
Board approval and reviews their implementation. Annually reviews the
UUA Compensation Study and reports to the Board the Fair Compensation Status
of USR employees. . Planned Giving Ed Collins Manages the Society’s Endowment Fund and assists people
who are contemplating gifts to the USR either in their wills or as memorial
gifts. Also manages the Society’s own
grant making process, using a portion of the endowment’s annual earning. Publicity Creates an interest in and informs surrounding
communities about our Society and our activities. Please submit
publicity information to office secretary, Robin Kantrowitz, at 201-444-6225
or usr.secretary@verizon.net
approximately 6 weeks before an event. Reproductive Choice Committee Cecily Buck Carol Loscalzo Supports
and advocates for reproductive choice on the local, state, national, and
international levels; serves as a resource for information; informs the
congregation on issues; and provides opportunities to take action. We
define reproductive choice as encompassing all women's reproductive health
issues including, but not limited to, access to: abortion, birth control,
emergency contraception, and reproductive health care and healthy sexuality
education for women of all socio-economic levels. All are welcome to
join the monthly meetings and/or request email action alerts. Safe Congregation Response Team Carol Loscalzo Members of the Team include The Rev. Sarah
Lammert, The Rev. Tracy Sprowls Jenks, and Ed Silver. Please see page 8 for the Safe Congregation
Policies and Program. Service Auction Marcy Cagan Elaine Petrowski Our major
annual fund-raiser. Brightens
February! Helps us help ourselves by
offering and/or buying services. Come and have fun at this event! Social Responsibilities Council Ira Mendelsberg Al Blake Carries on the tradition of UU involvement in social
issues. The committee educates,
stimulates, and serves as a clearinghouse to coordinate the efforts and
activities of members and friends. It
does so through a number of sub-committees such as Anti-Racism, CAMP-YDP,
Committee on Aging, Environmental Action Committee, Homeless, Hunger, Peace
and Justice, Reproductive Education Concerns, the Unitarian Universalist
Service Committee, and Welcoming Congregation (see each separate listing). Softball! John Tinston Co-ed team begins toward the end of April. Plays teams from other religious
organizations until mid-summer. Watch
for notices in the newsletter Spring 2008.
Join us! Summer Picnic A get-together during our summer break in late July or
early August at a site to be announced in the newsletter. Sunday Services Committee Mitch Halvorsen Al Blake Created to assure consistency and excellence in Sunday
services, particularly those that are lay led. Meets monthly to review, plan, and envision
our services and to coordinate upcoming lay services with the committees or
individuals presenting them. The
committee coordinates all elements of our Sunday services and is open to
feedback as well as ideas and proposals for lay services. Community Thrift Shop Bill Murrell Elizabeth
Murrell A fundraiser for the Society. Members staff the shop
(85 Godwin Ave., Midland Park) one week a year. Donations should be marked “Unitarian
Society #9.” Our drop-off hours are
every Monday and the first Saturday of the month from 10 AM-2 PM. Please call the shop at 201-652-7661 for
any additional information. Volunteer Coordinators Inge
Spungen Maggie Shoemaker Helps members and friends to find USR committees and
tasks that fit their talents and interests as well as the needs of the
Society's programs and operations. Feel free to call Inge or Maggie to
volunteer or to discuss avenues for getting involved! Wednesday Luncheons Brietta Savoie Informal, no invitation required, brown-bag luncheons
held in members’ homes on the first Wednesday of the month. Locations are
announced in the newsletter. Welcoming Congregation Anita Young Brings gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues to the congregation. The goal is to
promote inclusiveness in our society. Women’s Groups Several women’s groups meet regularly. They set their own schedule and determine
their own purpose. If you are interested in joining (or starting a group)
contact the office at 201-444-6225. Womyn’s Wisdom Circle Dianne Kidwell Provides a forum for feminist thealogy, spirituality,
and education for the Bergen County UU Congregations and other interested
individuals. WWC meets at USR on the
second Sunday evening of each month.
These meetings are for women only with each circle led by a different
woman. WWC offers winter and summer
solstice celebrations which are open to all.
It is WWC tradition to offer winter solstice at USR and summer
solstice at CUC. Youth Group/ Senior High Phread Ayres Works with adult advisors and the religious education
committee to develop, schedule, and implement their own program. For information or to offer to lend a hand,
contact Phread. Zen Meditation Bernard and Marcia Spitz Zazen meditation is available on Monday evenings from
7:45-9:30. People new to meditation,
as well as those with experience, are welcome on a continual basis. |
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The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, NJ |
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