Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
M U F L I N K S
MUF Committees
The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship is an active community offering many opportunities for service and personal spiritual growth. Both day and night, the halls of our Fellowship echo with a diversity of exciting activities: interest groups, support groups and committees serving both our religious community and the world around us. These groups need and welcome the participation of new members. Be sure to click the links within each committee description as many committees have their own webpages.
Ministering to the MUF Community
A/V COMMITTEE
Gabor Kiss av@muuf.orgThe A/V Committee provides audio visual support to the Fellowship services and other programs. For requests to record an event: av-volunteers@muuf.org
BOOK TABLE COMMITTEE
Dan Byrd, danielbyrd@verizon.netOffers books for sale at a discount, both at a "mini-bookstore" every Sunday morning and by special order.
BEAUTIFICATION AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Chair: Diana West dwest@bfar.orgThe Beautification and Preservation Committee focuses on efforts to move MUF forward by beautifying and preserving our building and grounds, except for the Memorial Garden. For more information, click here to read the committee’s current Operational Charter (PDF format).
We also review/authorize all requests to change painting, decoration and aesthetics, including all exterior signs. We do not have responsibility or authority for ongoing maintenance and repair issues; those are handled by the Administrator and the temporary Buildings and Grounds Committee.The committee has prepared a fascinating summary about our building, “ A Brief History Of OUR Building”
CARING COMMITTEE
Catherine Corey coreyspond@optonline.net
Laurie MacGeorge dlmacg10@aol.comIn time of need, this committee gives a hand to members and friends of the Fellowship. They coordinate the work of many Fellowship volunteers who provide telephone calls, hospital and home visits, meals, healing circles, shopping, transportation and relief to care-givers.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY (COM)
2012-2013: Jerry Weinstein, Chair, Cintra Fricke, George Hays, Donna Perch, Tony Rutigliano, Kelly SchnurCOM promotes right relations within the Fellowship. We are also involved in monitoring the overall "spirit" of the Fellowship. COM works with individuals or groups when they have a concern, problem or complaint. We encourage resolution of the issues by promoting direct and constructive communication with all concerned parties. We are available to assist in facilitating communication. Please contact us if you would like assistance. Click here to learn more about how and why COM meets. Right relations are a living concept and a concept for living. We encourage all MUF members to make the Right Relations Promise.
COM members welcome your ideas and observations. Our phone numbers and emails may be found in the directory.Current Trustees: Ron Corey, chair, Marti Weinstein, Don price, carolyn Evans and John Solu
To guarantee a financially healthy congregation in the future, the Endowment Board of Trustees manages 0 an Endowment Fund which was established in 1988. The Fund’s beginning was built with small and large gifts from members and friends commemorating births, weddings, deaths and other important events in our lives. In addition, many members have included in their estate plans, gifts of money, property and securities as part of their planned giving. For those who have planned to leave at least $5000, their names are inscribed on nameplates on the Legacy Wall with the Fund plaque, and are given a gift of a Peggy Karr fused glass plate with an image of MUF and their names inscribed. There are many ways that members and friends can give to the Endowment Fund, all of which are described in the “Pathways to your Legacy” brochure which can be found on this link “Pathways to your Legacy” , or in the literature rack in the great hall. If you would like to know more about how you can give to the Fund, please contact any of the current trustees, or past members such as John Oehler, Toby Tyler or Jerry Weinstein. You can also email us at endowment@muuf.org.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Susan Lausell sulasula@optimum.netThis group manages Fellowship finances and educates our Executive Board in all aspects of finance. Their work ensures MUF's long-term health and growth.
FUNDRAISING
FUNdraising COME-MEET-ME
Chair: Avianca Bouchedid (fundraising@muuf.org)
This committee raises operational funds for our spiritual home and is for you if you:
*Would rather not ask people directly for money (that is left to the hardworking folks on the Finance Committee and Annual Pledge campaigns)
* Are social and enjoy planning parties
* Do not have a lot of time to volunteer but would like to in a meaningful way (e.g., setting up or cleaning up for just one event)
*Can spearhead just one event or lend a hand for several events
* Are not particularly social and prefer to be “behind the scenes” of an exciting event
* Would like to see MUF continue to flourish as a religious community that values social equality, the freedom of individual spiritual beliefs, and the importance of social responsibilityMEMORIAL GARDEN COMMITTEE
Dan Byrd danielbyrd@verizon.net
This committee created and maintains a lovely area on the Fellowship grounds to permanently memorialize members and friends. Memorial plaques are placed on a Memorial Wall in the Garden, which features benches and landscaping. A Memorial Album is also placed in the Library.MUSIC COMITTEE
Music Director Jim Blanton jim@muuf.org Members, Chris Davitt, Oriana Edelman, Steve Gruber, Jerry LaBrie, Beth Murphy
The music committee works with the Music Director in strategic planning and evaluation of the music activities at or sponsored by MUF; communicates and collaborates with other MUF members, committees and organizations regarding these activities; and coordinates and helps execute the MUF Concert Series and special musical events. TERM: Two-year renewable term for members, appointed by the Music Director. MEETINGS: As neededPARTNER CHURCH COMMITTEE
Gabor Kiss gabor@gaborkiss.comMaintains the relationship with the Fellowship's partner church in Sinfalva, Romania (Transylvania). Sinfalva is about 15 miles from Torda, the birthplace of Unitarianism. The Committe raises funds, disseminates information about the origins and history of Unitarianism and its state in modern-day Romania, and encourages contacts between the members of the two congregations.
PLEDGE CAMPAIGN
George Hayes georgehayes@verizon.netThis committee runs the annual financial campaign, which assures a solid base of pledged contributions. They establish pledge guidelines, recruit and train solicitors, keep tabs on the progress of the campaign, and report the results to the Board of Trustees.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) COUNCIL
Nina McCormack neenmack@verizon.netThis committee sets goals, develops policy and supports programming for the children and youth of our congregation. Decides policy regarding curriculum, community building and social outreach.
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
Anne Paust, AnneDeS@att.netThis group monitors the pledges that provide the major part of our financial support. Throughout the year, it educates our congregation about the importance of pledging, records payment of pledges, publicizes the progress of pledge payments and contacts new people to encourage them to pledge.
SUNDAY MORNING FLOWERS
Zella Geltman zellarpg@yahoo.comCoordinates the provision of floral arrangements to enhance Sunday services.
These volunteers take turns welcoming people at the doors of the Meeting Room on Sunday morning, handing out Orders of Service and assisting those with special needs. They also collect the offering.
SUNDAY SERVICES COMMITTEE
Steve Humphries humphs75@yahoo.comResponsible for planning, creating, coordinating and supporting many of the Sunday morning programs each year, as well as providing support for services led by the minister and guest speakers. The Sunday Services Committee works with the professional staff and the congregation to provide compelling and enriching worship experiences that strengthen our beloved community. We aspire to comfort, challenge, and inspire. Recognizing that our congregants have many beliefs and needs, we strive for diversity in services that are inclusive and welcoming to all. Through our services, we want participants of all ages to become more committed to our covenant, more connected to one another, and more generous to our community and the world.
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
tech@muuf.orgOversees the Fellowship information technology needs, including office computer software and hardware, and telephone systems. It handles the technology infrastructure, both in house and online. The online aspect includes the domain registration, hosting arrangements, email, mailing lists, wikis, calendars, and other web services supporting the membership and committees, but not the web site proper.
WEBSITE COMMITTE
Hazel Bell webmaster@muuf.orgOversees administration of our website, web committee handles the web site proper, including design, content, and maintenance.
WELCOME TABLE
Lorelei Harris UUDancer@msn.comVolunteers take turns greeting newcomers on Sunday mornings, asking visitors to fill out interests cards, giving out information about our activities and offering visitors name tags. Some volunteers move among people during Coffee Hour and seek out newcomers to welcome them and introduce them to members.
WELCOMING AND MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Margaret Ng muuf_membership@yahoo.comVisitors to the Fellowship are welcomed by members of this committee, who try to make them feel comfortable and to acquaint them with life at MUF. Newcomers are encouraged to explore the pleasures and responsibilities of participating in our community. This committee also tries to maintain ongoing contact with established members and friends.
THE WIDER U COMMITEE (Denominational Affairs)
Susan Oxman soxman13@verizon.netServing as a link to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), this committee keeps our congregation informed as to denominational affairs and activities. It conducts an annual poll of Fellowship members regarding UUA General Assembly resolutions and sponsors letter writing campaigns on vital issues.
BLOOD BANK
Zella Geltman zellarpg@yahoo.comTwice a year, this committee arranges blood drives at the Fellowship.
GREEN EARTH MINISTRY
Caroline Gower caroline.g.gower@gmail.com
Linda DeLap linda.delap@gmail.comMeets the second Tuesday of each month at MUF at 7:00 p.m. Our group facilitates and supports the work of MUF members and friends by affirming and promoting UU principles, including respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Everyone is welcome. Follow the link for more information.
INTERFAITH COUNCIL FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES OF MORRIS COUNTY (ICHF)
Karen Burns karenburns@casaessex.orgVolunteers from the Fellowship join with volunteers from two other Morristown congregations, Assumption Church and Church of the Redeemer, the host church for our unit, once every three to four months to assist in providing shelter and meals, and lots of TLC for up to 5 homeless families, typically 12 to 15 adults and children. Each two-person team provides responsible adult supervision for a two or three hour shift during the weeks the "guests" are being sheltered.
SEEDS OF PEACE
Jo Sippie-Gora josippie@optonline.netThis group plans and provides peace-building activities that are consistent with the policies and principles of UUA and our MUF Mission and Covenant. Activities include studying choices that lead to peaceful solutions; educating members and the public about humane alternatives to war and conflict; joining and forming coalitions with others who aspire to the highest ideals of compassion, consciousness and caring; and, actively supporting the RE Director and youth volunteers in their Peace-making work with children, youth, and young adults.
SERVICE COMMITTEE ACTION NETWORK (SCAN)
Karen Burns karenburns@casaessex.org or Michelle Kunz mbkunz@gmail.comSCAN provides information for the Fellowship regarding humanitarian concerns in Central America. It runs an annual Benefit Coffee House each January to raise funds to be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Peace Works and other charitable organizations.
SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL
Karen Burns Rutigliano karenburns@casaessex.orgThis committee promotes the awareness of, participation in and effective resolution of social issues. SR is an umbrella group that coordinates community action projects in cooperation with other U.U. organizations.
SOUP KITCHEN
Michelle Kunz mbkunz@gmail.comProvides noonday meals to people in need at the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown. Two teams of about 10 people prepare and serve food on the Second Tuesday of each month. Others prepare soup, casseroles and desserts at home for the soup kitchen.
Spiritual Growth and Enrichment
LIFESPAN LEARNING PROGRAMS
Danelle Simonelli dksimonelli@hotmail.comAdult faith development is an important part of our spiritual life here at MUF. This committee plans adult programs that nourish mind, body and soul. Full description and schedule of courses on website.
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Copyright © 2008 Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
Page last updated September 21, 2012