There are many committees and teams of the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg comprising of staff, members, and volunteers who are responsible for coordinating the church’s many activities and programs. A committee reports directly to the Board of Trustees whereas a team reports directly to the minister.
WORK OF THE CHURCH
Board of Trustees
- Performs long-term planning, develops policies, and works with the minister to guide the overall direction of the congregation.
- Meets the third Tuesday of each month from 7-9pm via Zoom
- President is David Spear
Reopening Team
- Identifies, implements, and monitors COVID safety procedures for UCH activities
- Meets the fourth Tuesday of each month from 2-3pm via Zoom
- Chairperson is Mary Lynn Fecile
Congregational Life Team
- Monitors the overall health of the congregation from a macro standpoint and maintains a focus on the mission
- Chairperson is Chris Dutton
Worship Team
- Provides input and feedback to the minister and music director regarding Sunday services
- Chairpersons are Amy Firestine and Debbie Reihart
Pastoral Care Team
- Provides care and counseling to church members
- Chairperson is Caroline Parke
Membership Team
- Welcomes new members into the congregation
- Chairperson is Bart Carpenter
Leadership Development Team
- Identifies and nurtures existing church members to become leaders within the church
- Chairpersons are Mary Henninger-Voss and Karen Baker
Ushers and Greeters
- Create a warm and welcoming experience for visitors, members, and friends attending Sunday services
- Chairperson is Dorothy Brown
Technology Team
- Provides technical support for audio and visual needs for virtual and in-person events
- Chairperson is David Spear
Stewardship Team
- Coordinates and operates the annual stewardship program
- Chairperson is Ed Sykes
Finance Committee
- Monitors the financial health of the church, makes financial recommendations to the board, and helps prepare the annual budget
- Meets the second Wednesday of each month from 3:30-5:30pm via Zoom
- Chairperson is Kathy Malarich
Planned Giving
- Works with church members for planned giving (including UCH in wills)
- Chairperson is James Henninger-Voss
Auction Team
- Coordinates the annual auction as a church fundraiser
- Meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30-9pm via Zoom from January through October
- Chairperson is Patti Hazell
Building Team
- Maintains and makes improvements to the building
Grounds and Gardens Team
- Manages the care of the grounds and tended garden areas of the church
- Meets the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30-8:30pm via Zoom
- Chairperson is Anita Mentzer
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Religious Exploration Team
- Provides classes and programs for children, youth, and adults
- Pre-K through 6th Grade meets Sundays at 9:30am via Zoom
- Parents and caregivers as sexuality educators meets Mondays from 6:45-8pm via Zoom
- UU Common Road book discussion of “Defund Fear” by Zach Norris will meet Spring 2022
- Director is Cory Ness
Philosophy and Literature Group
- Book discussion group
- Meets the second Sunday of each month from 7-8:30pm via Zoom
- Chairperson is Don Brown
Covenant Groups
- Multiple covenanted small groups meeting monthly to discuss spiritually-inspired themes
- Meets the second Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday from September through May
- Chairperson is Bridgette Parker
QueenSpirit
- A women’s spirituality group that creates a safe environment to support women in their feminine spiritual journeys
- Meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6-9pm for potluck meal and circle
- Chairperson is Rebeccca Waldemar
Heart Rhythm Meditation
- An ancient form of meditation that focuses on syncing the full breath to the beat of the heart
- Meets Mondays from 4:30-5:30pm via Zoom and Fridays from 9-10pm via Zoom
- Chairperson is Libby Tisdell
Yoga
- Weekly yoga practice
- Meets every Monday from 6:30-8pm
- Chairperson is Ed Sykes
Choir
- Weekly rehearsal for the church choir
- Meets Thursdays from 7:15-8:45pm
- Director is Yvonne DuVal
Bell Choir
- Weekly rehearsal for the church bell choir
- Meets Thursdays from 6-7pm
- Director is Yvonne DuVal
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Oliver LaGrone Scholarship Committee
- Provides an annual scholarship to a graduating senior from the Harrisburg School District
- Meets the third Thursday of the month from 6:30-9pm via Zoom
- Chairperson is Cordell Affeldt
Helping People in Prison and Their Families
- Ministers to incarcerated people and their families
- Chairpersons are Jim Cavenaugh and Margaret Carrow
Humanism
- Offers opportunities for book discussion, presentations, and open discussion
- Chairperson is Rachel Mark
Power to the Hill
- Non-partisan voter engagement outreach program translating into community action in the Allison Hill community of Harrisburg
- Chairperson is Wendy Shaver
Reproductive Justice Allies
- Seeks to inform the UCH congregation about reproductive justice issues in concert with UU Justice PA
- Meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7:30-8:30pm via Zoom
- Chairperson is Barb Pearce
Social Justice Roundtable
- Connects and supports the UCH social justice teams and lay-led ministries
- Meets the third Tuesday of each month at 2pm
- Chairperson is Rachel Mark
UU Justice PA
- Monitors legislation and advocates to lawmakers on justice issues in Pennsylvania
- Chairperson is Rachel Mark
Gather the Spirit for Justice
- Offers community outreach, social justice, and economic equity in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood
- Chairperson is Darlene Kvaternik
Ecumenical Food Pantry
- Raises funds to support the local food pantry
- Chairperson is Michael Mark
Poor People’s Campaign
- Chairperson is Margaret Carrow
Adopt-A-Highway
- Responsible for two miles of Lindle Road near the church
- Meets for clean-ups in the Spring, Summer, and Fall each year
- Chairperson is John Hargreaves
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Engagement Team
- Works to develop new and improve existing programs, activities, and events in order to nurture the current congregation and promote the growth of the church
- Chairperson is Rebecca Waldemar
Sunday Morning Coffee Hour
- Informal discussion
- Meets Sunday from 11:30-12:30pm via Zoom
Women’s Night Out
- Dine out a local restaurant, socialize, and help support the Ecumenical Food Bank
- Meets the second Tuesday of each month at a local restaurant on the east or west shore
- Chairperson is Linda Brown
Stitchers Group
- Needle arts group, stitch, and chat
- Meets the second Friday of each month from 10-12pm via Zoom
- Director is Cory Ness