Pam McIntire, Laura Horn, Barb Alag

This is the first report from the Committee on Ministries (COM) to the congregation. It reviews UUCville’s progress on the preamble of the Long Range Plan. Subsequent COM reports will cover the additional four goals.

The Committee on Ministries (COM,) whose purpose as stated in the bylaws is to “interpret, support, and monitor the ministry of the Congregation,” has been reconstituted and charged to work closely with the Lead Minister in supporting and monitoring implementation of the Long Range Plan. As stated in the charge, “The COM will assist relevant staff and lay leaders in developing strategies for accomplishing the goals and priorities of the plan and in building the required infrastructure (teams and task forces, leaders, volunteers, financial resources, and publicity).”

The Long Range Plan was written to focus the actions of the UUCville congregation on our Mission (adopted June 3, 2023.)
The UU Congregation of Charlottesville builds community through love in action. Together we cultivate a safe and welcoming place for all. Together we nurture mind, heart, body, and spirit. Together we work for equity, justice, and peace for all people and the planet.

You can find the complete text of the Long Range Plan here

Our Accomplishments from the Preamble:

• We reconstituted the Committee on Ministries and tasked the committee with supporting the implementation of the Long Range Plan.
• We have not yet begun to re-examine the governing structure of the congregation.
• We made the Stewardship Steering Committee (SSC) a permanent congregational committee. The SSC has been sending quarterly communications to the congregation to help us continue to build a culture of generosity and awareness of all our resources, time, talents and treasures. The SSC has begun a Planned Giving: Leaving a Legacy initiative (https://uucharlottesville.org/planned-giving/).
• Our Budget has prioritized bringing our staff to UUA recommended fair compensation levels.
• We will explore a potential capital campaign in the next 3-5 years once we have a better idea of our campus plan and what our buildings and ground priorities are.
• We are continuing to grow revenue from fundraising events (especially the yard sales and auctions) and our building and ground rentals. We have not yet appointed a building rental team.
• Two Volunteer Coordinators (Cathy Sanders and David Mellor) have generously offered to serve the UUCville community by helping member and friends connect to the ministries and programs of the congregation. They conducted a very successful Service Fair this fall!
• We have not yet developed a leadership training program.

We have made meaningful progress in cultivating a safe and welcoming place for all, and we are committed to continuing that work. UUCville is needed now more than ever and we aspire to be a sanctuary of love and kindness for all.