Church Committees

*ALTAR COMMITTEE
Members of the committee are each responsible for six weeks of the year in caring for the altar, arranging for the donation of flowers, polishing the collection plates, and replacing candles in both the Sanctuary and the Chapel. The committee also collects donations for holiday flowers. The committee meets twice a year during the Easter and Christmas seasons for major polishing of all altar brass and members may also serve on other committees. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Altar Committee.

*AUDITORS
Three auditors have the authority and responsibility to examine the books and audit the accounts of officers and organizations of the church. Generally the work entails only the audit of the Treasurer's records in January. Members may serve on other committees. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Auditors Committee.

*CABINET and MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
In addition to the committee chairs, two additional members of the United Church serve on the church Cabinet as members-at-large. The Cabinet serves as an advisory body, counseling the various organizations, and coordinating and recommending to the church policy or administration. It is also responsible for giving overall leadership and guidance to the total life of the church. The Cabinet meets the first Wednesday of the month. Send an e-mail message to the Moderator of the Cabinet.

*CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The function of the C.E. Committee is to present and oversee the religious education of the congregation through Church School, Bible Study, Youth Group, and Adult Education. It determines curriculum needs; it secures teachers, equipment and supplies; it maintains the library; it sponsors special events such as Rally Day, the Christmas Pageant, Seder Supper, Lenten Projects, Church Picnic; and it organizes the adult education and youth programs. The committee meets monthly. Send an e-mail message to the chairpersons of the Christian Education Committee, Shannon Lestan and April Kelley.

*CHURCH GROWTH
The purpose of this committee is to generate ideas, recommend programs, and serve as a catalyst to enable the United Church to grow spiritually, numerically, and in friendliness and caring. It maintains a list of prospective new members; it hosts special coffee hours when new members are received into the church; it publicizes happenings of the church through the local media; it maintains the pew pads and the name badges. It concerns itself with three phases of membership development: attraction of new members, hospitality, and cultivation of new members into the life of the church. The committee meets monthly. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Growth Committee, Mary Annati and Jen Owens.

*COMMUNICATIONS
This committee works with the secretaries in issuing the Torch each month. It occasionally assists with other church mailings. Availability during church office hours is a must for membership on the committee. There is no night work. May serve consecutive terms. May be on another committee. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Communications Committee .

*DEACONS (THE DIACONATE)
Members of the church are eligible to join this committee which is responsible for the overall spiritual needs of the church family. It assists the pastors in preparing the weekly services; it calls upon the aged, sick, and needy; it assists in administering communion; it oversees the confirmation class; it distributes alter flowers to shut-ins; and it maintains the membership list. All must be members; 50/50 split men and women. Meets monthly. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Deacons. Read a more complete description of the Diaconate.

*DELEGATES
Three delegates attend the state conference and the Metropolitan Boston Association conference, and they make a report back to the Cabinet. May also serve on another committee.

*FELLOWSHIP
The Fellowship Committee is a FUN committee and is responsible for planning and promoting activities that foster fellowship.  Fall Y'all and the Rally Day Pancake breakfast are two events that welcome visitors to the United Church to enjoy the camaraderie.  The annual Senior Luncheon for our Senior citizens in May is always well-attended and enjoyed by our honored Seniors. The Fellowship Committee creates the schedule for hosting coffee hour after Sunday services. The committee also works with other church committees to coordinate special events as needed. This FUN Committee uses email as a communication tool and meets as needed.  Send an e-mail message to the chairpersons of the Fellowship Committee, Ann Perham and Pat Yonker..

*HISTORY and RECORDS
This committee is responsible for obtaining records of official business of each committee, filing these, and keeping historical records and memorabilia of the church. Meets monthly. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the History and Records Committee.

*MEMORIALS
This committee is responsible for recording and acknowledging all memorial gifts. It shall have responsibility for encouraging donations and legacies for the church made through bequests, wills, etc. Meetings are not regularly scheduled. May also be on another committee. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Memorials Committee.

*MUSIC
This committee is responsible for providing quality musical programs for all ages at the United Church. It works with the Director of Music; it sees that the organ, pianos, and handbells are kept in excellent condition; it arranges for staffing of choirs; it purchases music; it arranges for soloists and summer music. It meets the second Tuesday of the month. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Music Committee, Linda Sulkala.

*NOMINATING
This committee is responsible for securing persons to serve as officers and committee members of the United Church. Meetings are usually held only in the fall at convenient times for the committee members. May also be on another committee. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Nominating Committee.

*OUTREACH
This committee is charged with recognizing and responding to areas of concern and need throughout the community, state, nation, and world. It coordinates volunteers and donations for St. Johns, Casa Myrna, prison outreach, and much more. It includes the church family and community in the areas of outreach. The committee meets monthly. Send an e-mail message to the chairpersons of the Outreach Committee, Jill Takacs and Jon Ahola.

*PRUDENTIAL
Prudential is responsible for the financial affairs of the church and for the protection and maintenance of all church properties. It receives recommendations from other committees relative to the annual budget and prepares and presents a composite budget to the Cabinet and Annual Meeting. It also oversees and approves the investment of all funds of the church. The committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Prudential Committee, Rick Murphy..

*STEWARDSHIP
This committee's main function is to organize the annual pledge campaign and to monitor pledge income. It is also responsible for the Stewardship Education within the church. This committee meets as required at a time convenient for the members. Send an e-mail message to the chairpersons of the Stewardship Committee, Lindsay Schuyler.

*TECHNOLOGY
The responsibility of the Technology Committee is to gather the technology needs and desires of the church, and help fill those needs and desires with the appropriate solutions. Areas covered by this committee include technical hardware, software, communicatioins and audio/visual devices. Send an e-mail message to the chairperson of the Technology Committee, Mark Annati.