Committees

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

Book Table Committee

Beautification and Preservation Committee

Caring Committee

Committee on Ministry

Endowment Committee

Finance Committee

Fundraising

Memorial Garden Committee

Music Committee

Office Volunteers

Partner Church Committee

Pledge Campaign

Public Relations Committee

Religious Education (RE) Council

Stewardship Committee

Sunday Morning Flowers

Sunday Morning Ushers

Sunday Services Committee

Technology Committee

Website Committee

Welcome Table Commitee

Welcoming and Membership Committee

The Wider U Committee

Social Action Groups

Blood Bank

Green Earth Ministry

Interfaith Council for Homeless Families of Morris County (ICHF)

Morris Shelter for the Homeless

Seeds of Peace

Service Committee Action Network (SCAN)

Social Responsibilities

Soup Kitchen

Spiritual Growth and Enrichment

Lifespan Learning Programs

Ministering to the MUF Community

A/V COMMITTEE
Venkat Puranapanda av@muuf.org
The 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.net
Offers books for sale at a discount, both at a "mini-bookstore" every Sunday morning and by special order.
BEAUTIFICATION AND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Chair: Steve Rice: sda3rice@optonline.net; Vice Chair: Cintra Fricke
The Beautification and Preservation Committee focuses on efforts to move MUF forward by beautifying and preserving our building and grounds, except for the Memorial Garden .

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.com
In 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)
COM@muuf.org Beth Hayward- Chair

The Committee on Ministry is the primary agent used by the total congregation to encourage professional and lay leaders and congregation members to work together for the highest possible fulfillment of the congregational mission and covenant. MUF members and friends are encouraged to contact any of the members of COM (see below) to discuss anything that affects the health and well-being of our Fellowship.

ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
Toby Tyler wtyler3@optonline.net
To guarantee a strong Fellowship in the future, this group manages and oversees a fund established through the generous gifts of people commemorating births, weddings, deaths, and other important Fellowship events. The income generated by the Fund is used for special projects and capital improvements. The Committee can be reached at Endowment@muuf.org.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
George Hays george.hays@verizon.net

This 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 (abouchedid@colotraq.com)
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 responsibility

MEMORIAL 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 needed
OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
Paul Mitchell pdmitch99@hotmail.com
Monday through Friday from 10AM to 2PM, volunteers work in the office to help the Fellowship run smoothly. They answer the telephone, handle incoming mail, schedule meeting rooms, prepare outgoing mailings, etc.
PARTNER CHURCH COMMITTEE
Gabor Kiss gabor@gaborkiss.com
Maintains 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
This 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.
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Ron Corey, Chair rcorey@fancort.com
The Public Relations Committee has the goal of making sure the Greater Morris County area knows more about the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship—what we stand for, what kinds of events we hold, what our services are like, and how we help our community. Committee members are Ron Corey, Stacey Gregg, Helen Lippman, Don Preziosi, and Toby Tyler.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) COUNCIL
Jami Thall and John Franklin, Chairs jamithall@optonline.net, john.b.franklin@verizon.net
This 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.net
This 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.com
Coordinates the provision of floral arrangements to enhance Sunday services.
SUNDAY MORNING USHERS

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
Kathi Caccavale at kathi@sumcom.org

Responsible 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.org
Oversees 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.org
Oversees administration of our website, web committee handles the web site proper, including design, content, and maintenance.
WELCOME TABLE
Nina Nemeth nemethfam@aol.com
Volunteers 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
Michelle Kunz mbkunz@gmail.com
Visitors 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.net
Serving 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.

Social Action Groups

BLOOD BANK
Zella Geltman zellarpg@yahoo.com
Twice a year, this committee arranges blood drives at the Fellowship.
GREEN EARTH MINISTRY
Linda DeLap linda.delap@gmail.com
Caroline Gower caroline.g.gower@gmail.com
Meets 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)
Bob Campbell bobc2023@verizon.net
Karen Burns karenburns@casaessex.org

Volunteers 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.

MORRIS SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS
Judy Goldberg-O’Neil judyoneil@optonline.net
At the Morris County Shelter, volunteers provide meals to displaced folks once or twice a month, in cooperation with other religious and civic groups.
SEEDS OF PEACE
Jo Sippie-Gora josippie@optonline.net
This 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.com
SCAN 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.org
This 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.com
Provides 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
Susan Oxman soxman13@verizon.net

Adult 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.