by Kitty Merrill | Feb 28, 2017 | News (home)
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura is seeking a Director of Religious Education for a growing, vibrant engaged congregation on the central California coast.
Key qualities include:
- Ability to provide vision and leadership for children and youth in a program of 30-40 with potential for growing the program and the position
- Seeking a good administrator with experience working with children
- Understanding of children’s faith development
- Desire to minister to families at a time when there are many pressures upon them
- Experience in working in a UU setting and/or familiarity with multi-religious perspectives very helpful
Will work closely and collaboratively with the senior minister and staff, active lay leaders, and engaged families
Position open Mar. 1 until filled.
Generous salary commensurate with experience, and benefits and professional benefits.
For more details about the position, compensation and information on how to apply, see the job announcement below:
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by Kitty Merrill | Feb 27, 2017 | Finance Committee
Why Doesn’t Someone Do Something About This?
by David Smith, Finance Committee Chair
I have learned not to take these complaints personally, but almost no one seems to care about our annual budget until they get it in the packet for the annual meeting. Most of us enjoy the congregation programs, but don’t connect them with numbers and money. Many of your ideas for program improvements require communication with the right people to get them into the annual budget. So, how can we move from what we might not like to acting upon what we would like to see happen? Keep in mind these changes to our programs will not happen immediately because we use the democratic process.
Here are three ways you can act upon an idea that you think would improve something.
First, determine which program your idea would affect, find out who deals with that area, and make an appointment to discuss your suggestion. The person you talk with will likely take your idea to the appropriate committee for their consideration. If your idea is accepted, they have funds, and are willing to pay for it now, it will happen. However, if funds for that committee are scarce, it might not happen until the next budget year.
Second, if you find most of your ideas fall into a particular program, then you may want to join that committee and be involved in setting the budget priorities for the next year. Some programs are not committees, as such, so if music is your passion have a discussion with our music director. For most people, this seems bizarre, but my passion and my first church friends were found in the finance committee. Getting involved can lead to a role in getting things done.
Third, there are some projects that are not part of our annual budget process, known as capital improvements. Members organize them because they are passionate about getting them done. Members donate to the projects when they have been approved by the congregation. Here are four stages of discussion. 1. Completely rebuilding the area formerly known as the children’s playground to create an Outdoor Sanctuary. 2. Replacing our outdated and dangerous sound system so that someone will not trip and land with a speaker on his head. 3. Reshaping and remodeling our sanctuary. 4. Creating a window in the minister’s office so nature can come in for all those who enter.
Your idea could affect church programs or other types of improvements, but this often involves communication, action over a significant period of time, and sometimes, budgets and money.
by Kitty Merrill | Feb 27, 2017 | Justice Actions
by Beverly Jordan, Membership Manager
The poster on the Membership Bulletin Board in Berg Hall lists 10 good reasons for joining a Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregation. Two of my favorites are: “Because here we acknowledge that revelation is never sealed and empower ourselves to search for new truths. Because here we nurture our children’s enthusiasms and encourage their questions.”
The Pathway to Membership Workshops are for those who are wanting to know more about this congregation, the UU tradition, and to connect with others who are seeking. There is no assumption you will become a member if you attend these workshops but attendance is a requirement for Membership. Come and be informed – and then decide what is best for you.
Part I • Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Part II • Saturday, April 8, 10am – 2pm, (Lunch Provided)
Celebration for New Members • Wednesday, May 3, 6:30 – 7:30pm. Gathering of newest members with the Membership Committee and church leaders.
New Member Sunday • Sunday, May 7
These workshops and events are hosted by Beverly Jordan, Reverend Dana, and the Membership Committee.
Register in Berg Hall at the Adult Programs Table or email Beverly Jordan with your questions and/or registration. (Beverly@ uuventura.org) Childcare is provided with pre-registration.
by Kitty Merrill | Feb 27, 2017 | News (home)
Celebration Sunday April 9.
We will celebrate the abundance and generosity of this congregation with a special luncheon after church. Together in the service we will make our pledges to the congregation for the coming year. Then our newly formed Stewardship Team will throw everyone a grand Thank You! Party.
This has been such a year for UUCV. We have welcomed and installed our new minister, Rev. Dana Worsnop. We have weathered an election season like no other. We have marched together, cried together, said tender goodbyes to dear ones. We have welcomed the new people pouring through our doors – so many that plans are underway for getting more chairs. We have continued to reach out into the community advocating for and serving people who are without homes. We have deepened our environmental awareness in the whole community, from our youngsters to our sage elders.
In the next year we will welcome a new Director of Religious Education and likely completely renovate our play area, revamp the acoustics and sound system in the sanctuary. We will also say goodbye to our beloved administrator Becky Burnham and welcome a new staff person.
There is so much to celebrate. Come to the party, make your pledge to support the mission of this vibrant community, and let the celebrations begin!
by Kitty Merrill | Feb 27, 2017 | Justice Actions
by Gudrun Eastham
If you have attended Sunday Worship Services recently, you may have noticed Rev. Dana, Worship Associates and the Membership Committee have implemented a new Offering Ritual to create a fuller focus on the offering recipient, to incorporate a Blessing, and to eliminate distractions during/ after the collection process.
Beverly Jordan, Membership Manager and Membership Committee members recently hosted another well attended “Newcomer Chat,” in the conference room where those attending learned how our Worship Services are created, what lighting the Sanctuary Chalice means, why we make a “Bridge of Love,” and how we are able to “give away” the offering each week. A half-dozen attendees remained for an enjoyable and illuminating tour of our semi-empty building!
As promised, Pathway to Membership Orientation Workshops are fast approaching. These events are open to anyone who wishes to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and our church but are required for those seeking membership in our church. Sign up in Berg Hall at the Adult Programs table.
