Church Ministry
Minister: The Reverend Aaron Payson
Minister Emeritus: The Reverend David Miller
Affiliated Community Minister: The Reverend Cheryl Leshay
Church Staff
Director of Religious Education: Deb Selkow
Youth Program Coordinator: Robin Caracciolo
Office Administrator: Jennifer Landry
Music Director: Matt Johnsen
Custodian: Steve McNally
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Board of Management
President: Denise Darrigrand
Vice President: Tom Pierce
Treasurer: Andy Hegedus
Clerk: Kristine Binette
Member at Large: Kate Davenport
Member at Large: Mary Bastian
Member at Large: Joan McGinn
Member at Large: Catherine Roberts
Member at Large: Janet Stone
Member at Large: Emily Ferrara
Member at Large: Leslie Linson
Member at Large: Cathy McDonagh
Member at Large: Greg Gustafson
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| Board Committees |
Building and Grounds Committee (BG) - Nancy Hancock - The Building and Grounds committee oversees maintenance and improvements of the church equipment and property. Maintains and repairs the building and everything connected with it; supervises the overall activities of the Sexton. Plans for major repairs, enhancements, and capital projects.
By-laws Committee - Tom Pierce - Reviews proposed church policies and changes to the governance structure, makes recommendations to the Board of Management and to the church. Oversees and mediates any conflicts that may arise between issues spelled out in staff contracts and those delineated in the official church By?Laws.
Collector - Ginny Brink - This church officer organizes receipts and oversees funds collected during services, providing input to the church Treasurer to ensure proper recording. Coordinates with organizers of fund?raising events to collect proceeds in a timely fashion.
Committee on Ministry (COM) - Alan Wolcott - Provides support for the minister as well as a confidential conduit through which members can raise issues of concern with regard to programs and personnel.
Finance Committee - Open - Oversees UUCW finances and financial operations, including budgeting.
Fund Raising Committee - Bernard Kingsley - Fundraising through special events (dinners, yard sale, Christmas fair, auction, concerts, etc.) is coordinated by a Fundraising Chairperson, though there is no specific committee here. Most events are adhoc in nature, arising from ideas proposed by members and often conducted by those who suggest them. Overall coordination is important to prevent calendar conflicts.
Human Resource Committee (HR) - June Davenport - The primary focus of the Human Resource Committee is the annual compensation review of all church employees. This group oversees matters with respect to employment of church staff and policies related thereto. They finalize contracts for professional staff, notify staff members of salary changes after the Annual Meeting, and help in the hiring of new staff, whether as new positions or replacement hires.
Investment Committee - Margos Stone - The church has a small investment fund (an endowment, if you will) that is managed by the Investment Committee.
Pledge Secretary - Robert Whitney - Oversees the collection and recording of members’ annual pledges, providing periodic statements and tax documents.
Stewardship Committee - Open - This committee is there to help the congregation get the resources and money it needs to survive, and provide the needed funds for congregation operation and outreach. They help organize fundraisers, budgeting, organize and run pledge drives, pledge record keeping, bookkeeping, and other financial matters.
Technology Committee - Paul Marr - Technology committee consists of Web Design & Implementation, Worship (Sound & Video) and Office & Networking endeavors. Oversees planning, purchase, and troubleshooting of computers and networks, audio?visual equipment, UUCW Web site, miscellaneous office equipment when requested.
Webmaster - Kristi Chadwick - The Webmaster, or gatekeeper, assists, in coordination with the Technology Committee, Communications Committee and other committees, in the planning, implementation, technology improvements and evaluation of the church Web Site. The UUCW Web site can be found at www.uucworcester.org. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the site, please contact the webmaster directly through the web site.
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| Program Committees |
Accessibilities Committee - Judy Savage - The Accessibility Committee is responsible for identifying any barriers that keep those with disabilities from participating fully in church life and, as appropriate, for making suggestions and recommendations for accommodations so all of us are welcome to ministry and worship together. State and federal regulations are used as standards for structural access.
In addition, the Committee is concerned with providing accommodations needed by those with chemical and environmental sensitivities and those with emotional, psychological, and/or neurological disabilities.
The Committee is charged with recognizing any attitudes, practices, and procedures that create barriers and with suggesting, recommending, or undertaking activities that may contribute to movement toward inclusion. Much Committee work is done through and/or in collaboration with other church groups and committees. We are proud of being an accessible welcoming church.
Adult Continuing Education Committee (ACE) - Cheryl Leshay - The ACE Committee develops, organizes, facilitates and evaluates a variety of adult enrichment and faith development programs for the congregation.
This ministry is energized by our congregational covenant, which states in part, that we seek to “engage in and encourage spiritual and intellectual growth across the lifespan” as well as “providing opportunities where diverse people and points of view are respected and open-hearted, and open-minded discussion of our differences is encouraged.”
The integrity of this shared ministry is entirely dependent on the members and friends of this congregation as both participants and as facilitators of a variety of programs.
Fellowship Committee - Sandy Mayes - Let the good times roll and we can all have fun and fellowship together. Coordinates social events.
Health and Wellness Committee - Lynn Ritchie - Includes an aging parents group, a chronic illness group, and a parish wellness group. Coordinated by Lynn Ritchie, Parish Nurse.
Library Committee - Rachel Peckar - the church maintains a lending library of books and recordings of past worship services. These are located in the Lounge.
Lunch with the Minister - Erica Majmudar - This is a monthly brown bag event which meets the first Wednesday of each month at the church where members of the congregation can spend a leisurely hour with the Minister and other members.
Member Services Committee (MSC) - Kathleen Paracer - Responsible for greeting those attending Sunday services and ushering. Among this group’s concerns are the weekly attendance rosters, pew counts, and providing services (and protocols) in case of emergency. This committee also staffs the Newcomer Table in Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour after services.
Parish Service Committee (PSC) - Lorna Lally - The Parish Service Committee (PSC) provides a lay caring ministry to the congregation. Provides aid to members in need, whether it’s a ride to church or comfort and household help in time of grief, loss, or incapacity. Most recently it has been asked to establish a Parish Health & Wellness Program to include reestablishing an aging parents group, a chronic illness group, and a parish wellness group. These are done in conjunction with the Parish Nurse.
Rainbow Alliance - Ed Robinson - This group, a part of our Welcoming Church tradition, provides outreach to the greater Worcester Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgendered, and Queer (GBLTQ) community through social events as well as public representation of the church at Gay Pride events to create an community of mutual affection and respect.
Religious Education Committee (REC) - Denise Darrigrand - Works with the Director of Religious Education to plan and implement, and oversee all RE curricula and events during the year.
UU Connections - Audrey Clary - The purpose of the UU Connections Committee is to inform the congregation of events at the district (Clara Barton) and national level (UUA), and to encourage UUCW members' participation in these events and enlist their support for the district and the UUA.
Worship Arts Committee (WAC) - Peter Salmela - Plans services for Sundays when the Minister is away, evaluates feedback and suggests changes and topics, organizes the week?to?week needs for worship, including volunteers to present readings, offer welcome to the congregation, and record weekly services to make them available at other times.
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| Other |
Nominating Committee - Matt Vea - This group chooses a slate of candidates for election to church office and the Board of Directors prior to each Annual Meeting.
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| Northeast Leadership School Graduates (NELS) |
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