Between Sundays 2-2-24

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura has had a Committee on Ministry (CoM) in one form or another since the gathered community’s inception. Many of us, however, will benefit from knowing a bit more about our CoM, which does the holy work of helping our church community remain in covenant.

Committees on Ministry serve various roles throughout our Unitarian Universalist tradition. Our own former Assistant Minister, the Rev. David Pyle, has written a description of the various roles that Committees on Ministry play within our UU governance practices.

https://www.uua.org/leaderlab/forming-committee-ministry

There are many different models for Committees on Ministry. Ours at UUCV has primarily focused on conflict resolution, between individuals in conflict among the membership, with concerns between staff and congregants, and with concerns about the overall ministry of the church, itself. The CoM at UUCV is, by and large, a problem-solving, mediating body that seeks to help our entire congregation remain in community with one another.

We are a covenantal people: that is at the heart of what the Committee on Ministry helps to support. Often, a concern brought before the CoM can be resolved with a phone call or email or two to clarify issues. Sometimes the work is deeper.

Because the Committee on Ministry’s work is sometimes tender work, it is usually confidential, for it addresses issues concerning people we hold dear. We must bless and thank the work that the members of the Committee on Ministry hold.

And because of the holy and tender work that the Committee on Ministry does, it is not an open committee for all volunteers. Its membership is comprised of the Senior Minister and customarily four standing members. When vacancies arise, the remaining members consider who might best be suited to support our congregation in remaining in covenant. They submit nominations for new members to the Board of Trustees, as representatives of the congregation, for approval. The hard holding of confidentiality and compassion is a special charge.

Our common understanding of right relationship calls upon each other to speak directly with another when we feel harm. When that does not work, the professional staff and the CoM are there to assist. The membership of the Committee on Ministry changes. It has one consistent email address: com@uuventura.org