Getting Involved
The best way to find out more about our church and Unitarian Universalism is to get involved in some of the many activities, committees, groups and educational programs that are available. Consider volunteering for an activity like First Night, the Historic Bethlehem Garage Sale or Service Auction. You can volunteer to be an usher, greeter or reader for one service or several. There are many interesting opportunities to meet people, share an interest, or make a difference both inside and outside the church family. The gift of your time and talent to the shared ministry of our church will nourish your spirit.
Take a moment, talk to our membership committee (they have a table after each service), our minister a greeter or anyone drinking coffee who looks like they've been here a while. You'll be glad you did... and so will we!
Committees
Committees are an important part of the life of the church and one of the main vehicles for living out our mission and goals.
Standing Committees have charges included in the bylaws. The chairs of standing committees except for the Nominating Committee, the Personnel Committee and the Committee on Ministry are elected by the congregation at the Annual Meeting from a slate prepared by the Nominating Committee; the term of office is one year, beginning immediately after the Annual Meeting. The Nominating and Personnel Committees and the Committee on Ministry choose their own chairs. Below is a partial list of committees and groups. If you think it sounds interesting contact the chair. Or, if you have another passion discuss starting a new group with membership.
Property
Building & Grounds is responsible for the care and maintenance of
the buildings, furnishings, equipment and grounds of the Church. Work Party 2nd Saturday. |
Building Use
Building Use coordinates rentals and church use. |
Church Family
Church
Family arranges the support for members and friends to help them
through difficult situations. It is dedicated to service within our own
church community during times of need or crisis. The committee will |
Long Range Planning
The Long-Range Planning Committee coordinates the strategic and long range planning for the church. The By-Laws require the committee to assess the goals of the church and propose programs to meet those goals. They present their findings annually at the Annual Meeting. |
Ministry (COM)
The Committee on Ministry is responsible for observing the entire ministry of the church and reporting its findings to the Board of Trustees at the appropriate times. The Committee serves as a communication channel between the Congregation and the Minister, provides a sounding board for problems that the Congregation may perceive, supports the Minister in problem-solving, acts in an advisory capacity to the Minister and the Board to help stimulate, implement, and evaluate the ministerial activities within the church and in the larger community. In this time of transition we are especially interested in maintaining congregational harmony and the pursuit of "Right Relations". Mtg. Noon 1st Sunday |
Communications
Creates templates, electronic letterhead, advises on procedures, etc. As asub-committee of Communications The Publicity Committee is responsible for communicating and promoting the activities and programs of the church within the membership and to the larger community. This year the committee plans to have UUCLV news of events included more frequently in local newspapers to attract non-member participation. |
Denominational Affairs
Denominational Affairs is responsible for informing the members and friends of the UUCLV about the mission and structure of the denomination and, to provide the members and friends of the UUCLV the opportunity to participate in the programs and events of the UUA and its affiliated organizations |
Finance
Sue Weber, Chair Finance with the assistance of the Treasurer, keeps informed about and advises, the Board and Congregation on all financial matters of the Church. The committee prepares the annual budget and supervises the raising of funds and is responsible for arranging the annual audit of the books of the Church which is to be completed within ninety (90) days of the close of the fiscal year. |
Green Sanctuary TBA, Chair Green Sanctuary Committee was formed in 2003 to create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly world by making our church buildings greener, raising awareness in the congregation about living more lightly on the earth through education and service projects, and by becoming a model of environmental stewardship in the Lehigh Valley. We've also tried to save the church money via improved building efficiency and energy conservation. It's been a remarkable team effort. |
Membership
Membership arranges to welcome visitors, inform new members about the activities of the Church, and prepare, distribute and maintain an up-to-date directory of members. The committee also keeps the Minister and the Board informed of any individuals seeking to become a more active part of the Church. The Membership Committee reviews and update annually the membership record and submits a report of changes to the Board of Trustees at least two months prior to the Annual Congregational Meeting. |
Music
The Music Committee is responsible for the music which complements and enhances Sunday worship services and other Church occasions/events by hiring, coordinating and /or enlisting instrumental of vocal musicians as needed. |
Nominating
The Nominating Committee prepares and presents to the membership at the Annual Meeting a slate of candidates for the expiring positions on the Board of Trustees, the chairs of standing committees and the Nominating Committee. This committee actively seeks individuals for inclusion on the slate of candidates from those members who have demonstrated interest and participated in the life of the Church. The Nominating Committee seeks, on an on-going basis, individuals for the membership of various Church committees. |
Personnel
The Personnel Committee develops personnel policies for Board administration of all Church staff except the Minister. It acts as a liaison between the Staff and the Board regarding employment contracts and conditions. The Committee also advertises and fills Staff vacancies (except for the DRE) as they arise. The Staff currently include the Administrator, the DRE and custodians. The Minister is an ex-officio member of the Committee. |
Stewardship
Stewardship ....... |
Religious Education - Children and Youth
The RE Committee guides programs and activities for the children and youth. The Committee consists of adult and youth representatives of the UUCLV. The Committee works with the Director of Religious Education to organize the Sunday morning programs for children and youth from pre-Kindergarten up to Senior High. Traditionally, children and youth have actively participated in intergenerational Sunday services twice per year (RE Sunday and Youth Sunday); this year, at least two intergenerational services are planned. |
Religious Education - Adult
Bill Beckkenhuis, Chair The Committee organizes programs and courses for adults in concert with its philosophy that each individual continually learns and grows from birth to death, journeying on a spiritual path. ARE programs are chosen or designed to challenge and support us on our individual journeys. The Committee organizes the weekly Sunday Breakfast Forums. |
Social Action
Gene Hunter, Chair The Social Action Committee is involved in projects and issues ranging from the homeless to the environment. Working individually, in small sub-groups, or in plenum, the Committee focuses on diverse issues as circumstances direct. A continuing project from year to year is to contribute to local drop-in centers through our Food Bank. Many members work in local soup kitchens, teach in literacy programs, and do special tutoring or counseling in the area. In general, the Committee tries to respond to issues raised on the local scene and to encourage social activism within the Congregation. |
Worship
Maggie Spilner (left) & Joanna Herren (right), Co-Chairs The Worship Committee plans the schedule of services with the Minister and coordinates services when the Minister is away. |
Activities and Programs |
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Audio-Visual
The audio-visual group provides sound for our service and other activities, such as weddings. The visual pertains to operating the camera during services so that our "second sanctuary" can view the service. |
Breakfast Forum  Dan Hazelton (top) & Tom Zimmerman, Co-Chairs Before church discussion forum with presentations by church members and others. |
Beacon Choir
Larry Lipkis, Director Choral group that provides vocal music for services Anyone who likes to sing is welcome to join Beacon Choir. You don't need to read music, though it's a plus if you can; many among us learn by listening and pick up reading skills along the way. Beacon Choir meets Wednesday evenings from 7 - 8:30 in the Sanctuary and sings in the service every other week |
Christian Fellowship??????????, Chair The purpose of the UUCF is to allow people to encounter or re-encounter the Christian tradition, such encounter being especially informed by a historical-critical reading of the Bible as well as of non-canonical Judeo-Christian literature of the same period. It will also be informed by the teachings of either classic theologians or mainstreamto-liberal modern theologians and theological movements, especially as they relate to current events. |
CUUPSMaggie Donohue and Joanna Herren, Co-Chairs Group supporting Pagan UUs |
Greeters???????????, Chair People who greet members and visitors on Sunday Morning |
Phil DePietro (left) & Chris Culton (right), Co-Chairs
Pat Herring, Chair
Sue Philips (left) and Janet Warren (right), Co-Chairs
coordinate volunteer help from the congregation to respond to
situations which already exist or which arise. The committee, in
cooperation with the congregation, acts as a loving family does to
extend a hand to members and friends in times of need. 
Bernie Bujnowski, Chair
John Kennedy, Chair
Jane Benning, Chair
Chris and Henry Davis, Co-Chairs
Ilse Stoll Zinnes, Chair
Christine Smith, Chair
Frank Claps, Chair
Michael Benning, Chair
Committee
members type the order of service, care for the sanctuary, coordinate
ushers, and support the Music Committee. The Minister and the Worship
Committee consider suggestions from the congregation and discuss,
develop, and communicate theories and styles of worship.