Let’s Do Something!
UUCSR Groups & Activities
Please note: If you wish to contact a group or committee chair by phone, please call the office at (707) 568-5381 during business hours and ask for their phone number.
ADVOCATES FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
As the social action committee of UUCSR, this group’s mission is to apply UU principles to actions that create positive change in the local community and in the larger world. To join, simply attend. This group meets the second Monday of the month from 10 am to noon, usually in the RE Youth Room. Contact: Linda Harlow
AESTHETICS
The Aesthetics Committee exists to help keep our building safe, attractive and aesthetically pleasing. We welcome your creative energy and ideas. Contact Mary Lill Lee
ALL UU SUMMER CAMP
The annual retreat is a great time to relax and get to know other UUCSR members, pledging friends and their guests. The next fun-filled weekend will be Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4. Our fun planning committee meets monthly starting in January. If you love music, games, crafts, hiking, or UU worship in the beauty of the outdoors, please join us.
BOOK GROUP
Our mission is to foster community and explore ideas within the context of discussing books that are of interest to the group members. Each meeting begins with a brief personal check-in. Members alternate as discussion leaders and the leader provides a light snack at the meeting. At our June meeting we have a potluck and select books for the following year. Contact: Linda Lampson
BRIDGE GROUPS
Interested in low-key, social bridge games? Know basic bridge rules? Currently, there are three bridge groups, each playing once a month in the evening: the 1st Thursday, the 3rd Saturday and the 4th Tuesday. Join us and play once, twice or all three times each month. Contact: Marilyn Beckerbauer
CARING CONNECTIONS
caringconnections@uusantarosa.org
Caring Connections goal is to insure that members of the congregation receive care in times of crisis and need. We particularly attend to the needs of the elderly and the ill, although not limited to this category. We reach out to all. We provide a confidential ministry of support and caring so that no member of our congregation feels alone. We coordinate rides, meals, cards and calls. We also have resources for end-of-life, elder care, and other health questions. Please feel free to contact Chair, Gail Alford.
CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Universal love is the guiding light of children’s religious education. Programs are designed to help children develop their knowledge and spiritual identity, provide understanding and respect for the many sources of spiritual wisdom and open their eyes to issues of social justice. For more information or to volunteer as a teacher, Contact Jen Freese: 568-5381
CHOIR
As part of the music ministry, the choir sings in most of the Sunday services. Styles of music vary according to the themes of services. The UUCSR choir rehearses Thursday nights from 7-8:30. There is safety in numbers and fun as well.
CIRCLE DINNERS
This popular activity is a great way to get better acquainted with members of our congregation in a small informal setting. Groups meet for potluck meals three or four times over a period of four months. Look for sign-ups in September and January. Contact Sharon and Wayne Smith.
CUUPs
UUCSR has a newly formed CUUPS chapter (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans.) Our goal is to celebrate our 7th principle and expand public awareness of Pagan values in our community through education and celebration.
DIVERSITY WORKING GROUP
of the Advocates for Social Justice
The group helps the congregation understand how racism and classism affects all of us. It seeks ways for changing how we view and treat others through workshops, speakers and films themed on living in a multicultural world.
DRAWING GROUP
Every Wednesday in the Green Room 1-3pm. Everyone is welcome. Bring your paper, pencils (and erasers!) No instruction, but plenty of how-to books and encouragement. Practice includes still life set-ups and portrait posing for each other. Books of masters’ drawings are available for copying. Facilitated by Judy Hutchinson.
Faith and Fitness
This group plans various group hikes and activities throughout the year. Look for our posts on the FOCUS list and in the Announcements. Contact: Gretchen Paradis
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP TEAM
The team, also known as “Fine Stew,” provides guidance and assistance regarding all financial matters to the UUCSR Board of Trustees. We make recommendations for fundraising, budgeting, accounting and related activities as well as oversee the Audit Committee, Budget Task Force and several other committees. If you have finance or accounting skills or would just like to learn more, contact Linda Balabanian
FLOWER COMMITTEE
The Flower Committee is an enjoyable outlet for your creative self. No experience is necessary; nor is a large garden. The demands are low; you spend about 2 hours on a Saturday approximately once a month creating arrangements with a partner. There also are 3 other short meetings a year and a potluck. Please contact Sara Jones.
GREETERS AND USHERS
All who come to UUCSR deserve a friendly welcome, especially on a Sunday morning — and they deserve helpful, informative responses to their questions. Our Greeters and Ushers fill these needs prior to and during the service. To join in these fulfilling – and important – activities, contact Jami Kerr
HOMELESS SERVICES
ACTION GROUP
homeless.services@uusantarosa.org
If homelessness is an issue close to your heart, please join us in working to expand our services to our homeless neighbors. We are exploring different ideas and ways to implement them. A couple of possibilities during the winter are to offer emergency shelter or to be a warming center. Please contact Sara Jones for more information.
KITCHEN COMMITTEE
We give time in the kitchen for Sunday Social Hour and occasional special events. We put out the snacks, make coffee and clean up the dishes. We need both regular and occasional volunteers. Training is provided. All work is shared and no cooking is required. Contact: Ellen O’Hare
LIBRARY
Attention book lovers! Join the UUCSR Library Committee! Help keep the library a vibrant part of our UU culture. Participate and staff the table once a month. Get the inside track on new books as they come in! Training is provided. Contact Barrie Noe
MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
We meet on the first Saturday morning of every month except July, 9:00AM to noon, for interior and exterior building maintenance and landscaping. Please come and help keep our building and grounds beautiful and serviceable! All skill levels welcome – there are opportunities for everyone to make a contribution! Contact: John Jaffray
MEDITATION
The purpose of our meditation group is to cultivate inner peace and compassion. To join, simply attend a session: Tuesday 8:30 am to 10:00am, 10:30 am to Noon or Thursday 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Meditation instructions are offered during the sessions. The coordinator is Rose Saint John
MEN’S RETREAT PLANNING
https://www.uusantarosa.org/connect/social-activities/mens-retreat/
Join the Men’s Retreat Planning Committee. Work with other UUCSR members in planning a fun filled, eventful summer retreat. The retreat is open to all UUCSR members and friends—not just to Planning Committee members.
MEN’S SUPPORT GROUPS
There are currently five separate UU Men’s Groups. Each group provides an opportunity for men to meet with other men and, as a group, explore man’s spirituality while offering social support in a safe and confidential atmosphere. If you are interested in belonging to a men’s group, contact Roger DeBeers, Sr.
NORTH BAY ORGANIZING PROJECT
The Core Team is our connection to the North Bay Organizing Project(NBOP). Along with over twenty other local faith groups and advocacy organizations we amplify our UU principles in the public arena through action. Meetings of the NBOP Core Team are publicized on the Focus list, newsletter and Order of Service.
Contact: Sibyl Day
OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
Office volunteers are UUCSR members who assist the Administrator by performing office duties such as answering the telephone, maintaining databases, creating the Order of Service, producing the monthly newsletter, etc. Each volunteer does a 4 hour shift in the morning or afternoon. Contact UUCSR Administrator, 568-5381.
SATURDAY BREAKFAST TEAMS
saturdaybreakfast@uusantarosa.org
If you are truly committed to UU principles, the Saturday Breakfast Teams may be your cup of tea. The teams provide large, healthy breakfasts for our homeless friends and anyone who walks through our doors.
This is a real labor of love and requires no special talents. Contact John Ray
TIE GROUPS
TIE (Together in Exploration) groups are 6-8 members/friends who meet twice a month with two trained facilitators to explore topics in-depth, in a structured manner. Sign-ups for groups take place in September, and groups meet from October through May. Additional spaces are sometimes available in January.
WEB TEAM/COMMUNICATIONS
communications@uusantarosa.org
Interested in sharing your expertise or learning by helping with our website and other communications in our congregation? Drop us an email. We’d love to meet you!
WELCOME TEAM
As we welcome new people, it’s our pleasure to help them learn about us and find a spiritual home. You can support this work.
- Welcome guests at the Visitors’ Table
- Greet visitors and congregants and usher them to the sanctuary
- Support events such as Getting to Know UU and the New Member Reception.
WOMEN’S SUPPORT GROUPS
Women’s Support Groups provide a way for women to share personal issues in small groups. What is shared there stays with the group. If you are interested in belonging to a women’s support group, contact Mary Wolfe
WOMEN TOGETHER
All UU women are members of Women Together and are invited to join in their activities. The goal is to foster good relations among UUCSR women and to affirm their female identities. The activities include Elder Tales, Retreats, Movie Night, Parties and the annual 3-day retreat at Camp Meeker. Contact: Kathy Norman