Annual Giving Team
The Annual Giving Team works with minsters and staff to plan and oversee the annual giving campaign, which is conducted each year in the spring. Annual giving accounts for more than 80% of the church’s annual budget.
Members: Peter Kimball, Elizabeth Short, Dave Bach
Community Investment Team (CIT)
First Universalist Church is funded primarily through annual pledges of support from its members and friends. Because the Church’s operating budget is supported through pledges, First Universalist deepens its practice of investing in exceptional community-based work by giving away a significant portion of its Sunday offerings.
The Community Investment Team is responsible for carrying out the church’s community investment/give away the plate efforts. The CIT invites our congregation to nominate local non-profit organizations that share our values and live out our shared commitment to justice and equity, with a focus on:
- Faithful Action Areas (Housing and Environmental Justice) and Allies
- Racial Justice Organizations
- Organizations responding to a timely and critical problem
Chair: Amy Connors
Contact: communications@firstuniv.org Attn: CIT
Nomination Form
Nominating Committee (NomCom)
NomCom is a committee established in the Bylaws. The Nominating Committee shall continuously seek persons whom it determines are willing and able to serve the Church. The Nominating Committee shall nominate Members to each office to be filled at each Annual Meeting. NomCom encourages self nominations for the elected positions of the church – Board of Trustees, Foundation and NomCom. We welcome conversation throughout the year as people consider ways they may be of service to First Universalist. We know service is a way to deepen one’s relationship with the church and the church community and we appreciate the opportunity to help make that happen.
Chair: Jim Ramnaraine, nomination@firstuniv.org
Members: Evelyn Brown, Ray Dillon, Valerie Garber, Cathy Manning, Susannah Marshall, and Jim Ramnaraine.
Planned Giving Committee
The Planned Giving committee encourages members and friends of the congregation to include the Church in a will or estate plan. To learn how to give a legacy gift to the church, contact a minister or the financial administrator, or click here.
Space Planning Improvement Facilities and Furnishings Committee (SPIFF)
SPIFF seeks to make our church building attractive, welcoming, functional, and adaptable in meeting the needs of the many people and groups who use it. SPIFF helps church staff evaluate possible changes and improvements to our building and assure its ongoing maintenance. SPIFF’s recommendations are shaped by aesthetic, practical, and environmental considerations. SPIFF generally meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m.
Chair: Lynne Stanley lynne.e.stanley [at] gmail.com
Members: Bette DeMars, Kristen Mengelkoch
Visual Arts Committee
The Visual Arts Committee is comprised of individuals interested in enhancing the beauty of our church in ways such as:
- Arranging flowers for Sunday services
- Selecting and hanging art exhibits
- Coordinating banners
- Decorating for special events
- Developing winter holiday decor
- Creating artificial arrangements for areas throughout the church
- Arranging an exterior planter
- Consulting with groups who are interested in creating visual aspects for the church
The Visual Arts Committee meets (September – May) on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in Room 209. Members can also participate virtually. Meeting attendance is not required, but is encouraged since it is an opportunity to share ideas and enjoy time together.
To learn about becoming involved:
Contact Membership Chair Cheryl Anderson at cheryland94 [at] gmail.com or 612-275-1849.
To discuss art exhibits:
Contact Exhibit Chair Bette DeMars at jbdemars2 [at] gmail.com or 612-991-3657.
To donate flowers for Sunday services:
Contact Flower Chair Marjie Smith at marjiesmith1 [at] aol.com 612-825-1125.
Over the years, the building has been enhanced through projects developed by the Visual Arts Committee. Banners selected by the committee have highlighted the building. The committee commissioned artists to create the oak leaf memorial triptych and the UU and flame. Ongoing art exhibits have offered local artists and congregants an opportunity to share their talent with the church community. Each holiday season, Visual Arts Committee members joined together to create unique decorations to celebrate the season…the committee’s yearly gift to the congregation.