Serving The Congregation

Working on one of our many committees and teams, you can become a leader and a servant of our congregation.  Some committees are dedicated to the congregation’s vision and future, some reach out, some reach within, and others are charged with completing certain tasks to keep the congregation thriving.

Service to our fellow members is a rewarding experience. As a volunteer-led organization, we are always delighted to help you get involved in one of our many volunteer opportunities. Please contact the office for more information about committee service and other ways to help.

NOTE: Committees that deal with confidential information about our members — for example, Caring, Finance, Membership, or Shared Ministry — are generally appropriate only for members. If you are not yet a member, the administrator or one of our Membership Committee volunteers can help you select among many volunteer opportunities, including the committees that are open to all. We appreciate your generous support!

See the Social and Recreational Opportunities page for additional ways to get involved. 

Adult Education

We could use your wisdom and knowledge! Help us plan, promote and present courses and events of interest to UUCSR and the broader community.

 Audio Crew

We run the soundboard, provide hearing assistive equipment during worship, and record the worship services and other events.

Buildings and Grounds / Maintenance

We are responsible for the overall care of the building, including the day to day upkeep and repairing large and small appliances and supplies.  Works closely with the administrator. We always appreciate more volunteers for Saturday work days, held on the first Saturday of each month.   

Maintenance - Saturday Workday Team: 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

Caring Connections

Caring Connection's 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.   

Children’s Religious Education Steering Committee

We provide support for the Director of Religious Education in finding and coordinating volunteers, reviewing curricula, proposing and executing special events and representing the interests of parents and children within the congregation.

Coffee Hour

Non-members welcome!  

This is a fun and easy way to meet people and lend a hand on Sundays! Help us set out cookies and brew up the java, or hang around a little later and help with clean up.

Dismantling White Supremacy Culture within UUCSR (DWSC) Committee

The Dismantling White Supremacy Culture w/in UUCSR Committee was formed to spearhead the ongoing work of implementing the Eighth Principle’s call to action.  As a part of this journey, the Committee invites the congregation to engage in conversation and action with the intention of dismantling white supremacy culture within ourselves and at UUCSR.  Dismantling white supremacy culture within UUCSR is an ongoing spiritual practice that cannot be fully realized without white people understanding and acknowledging its systemic roots and its continuing harmful effects on all our lives.  All are welcome to join.  For more information, contact the Committee at dwsc@uusantarosa.org. 

Endowment Committee

We are responsible for assisting members in their planned giving to the congregation’s endowment fund, and for overseeing and maintaining the endowment. The Legacy Circle aims to be inclusive. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Whether the amount of money turns out to be small or large, it is a tangible expression of your social values and your trust in the future of this congregation. 

Finance Committee

We work closely with the treasurer and the administrator to oversee and report on the financial operations of the congregation.  We provide guidance and assistance regarding all financial matters to the Board of Trustees.  We prepare the annual budget for approval by the Board and congregation and keep track of revenues and expenses versus budget.  If you have finance or accounting skills or would just like to learn more, contact us.  

Flower Committee

Non-members welcome!

We meet on Saturday mornings to create beautiful flower arrangements for Sunday worship. Donations and volunteers are always welcome. We especially need people who either have some experience, or who are willing to be trained. 

Glaser Center Committee 

We promote and coordinate rental usage of the building as both a fundraising operation and a service to the community. 

Greeter/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.

Human Resources Committee

We work closely with the minister, the administrator and other committees to insure good practice and right relations in hiring and supervising staff. Our activities include research, and making recommendations about salaries, benefits, evaluative processes and other human resource concerns.

Kitchen Committee

Non-members welcome!

We keep the kitchen clean and organized, to balance the many uses of the kitchen by different UUCSR groups (including Saturday Breakfast for the needy) and building renters. Always welcoming new volunteers!

Lay Chaplains

If you attend services, you are aware that there is a Lay Chaplain each Sunday who reads the entries in the Milestones book and is available after the service if someone needs a listening ear. Additionally, our ministry involves assisting our minister by being in contact with people who are ill, unable to come to church or who have experienced a recent loss. We meet twice monthly to identify the needs in the congregation. We are also available to connect with any congregant who requests it. Please contact one of us directly or all of us at laychaplains@uusantarosa.org if you or someone you know needs support.

If you are unable to write your entry in the Milestone’s Book, please send what you would like to say to laychaplains@uusantarosa.org by Friday before the Sunday you want it entered and the Lay Chaplain of the day will enter it for you. Our Lay Chaplains are: Rob Carlisle, Judy Ervice, Bruce Hope, Barb Kezur, Gretchen Vap.

Membership Committee

We welcome visitors and newcomers into the life of the community by offering information, organizing Inquirer’s Meetings and other newcomer gatherings, and introducing new members through the newsletter, a special worship ceremony, and orientation classes. Helps guide people along the journey toward deeper involvement and membership.

Music Coordinators

We work closely with the Music Director in coordinating and performing music in Sunday services (and occasionally at other events), and closely with the Worship Associates. We also recruit congregational volunteer musicians.

Nominating Committee

We are a consulting committee of the Board of Trustees, tasked with identifying emerging leaders in the congregation and offering candidates for the elected positions.

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 2-4 hour shift in the morning or afternoon.  Contact UUCSR Administrator, 568-5381.

Stewardship Team

We work to create a culture of financial generosity at UUCSR. We monitor, nurture, and develop the program of member pledges that financially sustain the congregation. We encourage all members to support the congregation as generously as they can. We contact individual members about their giving and thank members for their gifts. We also carry out various fundraising campaigns to supplement the congregation's income. 

Web Team/Communications

Interested in sharing your expertise or learning by helping with our website and other communications in our congregation? 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.

Worship Associates

We assist the minister and other service leaders in planning and providing worship on Sundays and other times. Worship Associates periodically serve as service leaders themselves, particularly during the summer. Each Worship Associate serves a three year term at the invitation of the minister.