What standing committees and social activities do we have at UUCS?
Read the descriptions of our groups and committees, and contact the leader or chairperson for more information. Email addresses of chairpersons are in the Members' Corner. See what sparks your interest. Meetings are open to members, friends, visitors and guests.
Archive
Jim Raudabaugh : 941-923-9766
Maintains church history.
Artisans
Nancy Sciore : 941- 922-0243
Meets Wednesday mornings to create crafts that are sold to benefit the budget.
Arts Council
Judi Hennard : 941-373-0530
Meets monthly. Promotes inclusion of the arts in the Sunday services, assists with special cultural programs and organizes art exhibits.
Audio
Nancy Richardson : 941-362-2045
Maintains and operates the sound system during Sunday services and other events.
Bed and Breakfast
Ron Brown and Logan Nicholson : 941-922-0883
Facilitates Bed and Breakfast placements in members’ homes as a fundraiser.
Board of Trustees
Rick Sandler, President : 941-412-0906
Meets in the Robert Lexow Wing on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. Guides policies and committees.
Book Discussion Group
Cathy Cyrus : 941-359-9511
Meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 12:30 pm.
Book Table
Valerie Kerwin : 941-755-7431
Orders and sells books of UU interest.
Bridge for Fun
Betty Baker : 941-355-9282
Meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 1:00 pm in the Jefferson Room. You must call to sign up.
Buildings & Grounds
Diane Happy: 941-316-6499
Responsible for maintenance and improvement of the physical plant and equipment.
Caring
Dee Widder, Coordinator : 941-377-9028
Provides assistance with meals, transportation, home and hospital visits, and other short term needs as required. Arranges for visitations of those who cannot leave their homes. Sends notifications with announcements and emails of congregational milestones. Works with Minister to ensure involvement of community in caring for one another.
Chalice Groups
Nancy Thomas : 941-355-8069
The small groups foster Deep Thinking/Deep Listening in our congregation.
Choir
Robert Lischetti : 941-926-2766
The choir sings on Sunday mornings and practices on Thursday evenings.
Communications Outreach
Rick Sandler: 941-412-0906
Develops public relations outreach for communication about the church.
Denominational Affairs
Mike Parkinson : 941-312-0111
Joanne Curtis : 941-929-0578
Ruth Sheridan : 941- 921-9880
Encourages development of a broad view of Unitarian Universalism through cooperation with our Cluster, District and International UU organizations
Design
Judi Hennard: 941-373-0530
Responsible for the design and beautification of rooms.
The Elves
Roberta Druif, Administrator : 941-371-4974
Perform many behind-the-scenes office tasks under the direction of the Administrator. The Elves answer the phone during busy times, help prepare mailings, fold and assemble the Orders of Service.
Emerson Memorial Library
Valerie Kerwin : 941-755-7431
Maintains our library.
Emerson Memorial Garden
Diane Happy : 941-316-6499
This group cares for the Memorial Garden and many other gardens on our lovely property.
Film Forum
Louise King : 941-379-0849
View the selected film at a local theater and then join us for a lively and informative discussion led by Judy Helgager. The Film Forum meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 PM in the Robert Lexow wing.
Finance
Dick Happy : 941-316-6499
Provides oversight of all finances and makes recommendations to the Board. Provides annual audit, assists Treasurer and Pledge Committee as needed/requested.
Fleamarket
Ron Brown : 941-922-0883
Recycle your unneeded items and pick up some great finds. Have a lot of fun and serious work with the people who run this annual event.
Flowers for Sunday Service
Nancy Sciore : 941-922-0243
Call Nancy if you would like to donate flowers or funds for flowers for the Sunday service.
Freethinkers
Don DeMaio : 941-371-8118
On the first Friday of each month at 10 am (and often on the third Friday), the Freethinkers host presentations that stimulate discussion of issues we as responsible individuals confront every day. We pride ourselves in attracting the finest minds in the religious, civic, and educational community in the Sarasota area. See the separate UUCS Freethinkers web page and a list of previous speakers (and audios of many talks) in the Freethinkers Discussions Archive.
French Conversation Group
Eva Frank : 941-925-4643
The group is open to any student of French who is able to read French texts and discuss them. Most of the participants are fairly fluent in the language. The group reads articles and books, listens to member presentations, and discusses selected topics. The emphasis is on the spoken language. The group leader corrects pronunciation and offers help in the grammatical structure of the language.
Friday French Conversation Group
Bill Dandie : 941-739-2899
The Friday French Conversation Group meets to discuss items of current interest to members. Good fluency is required to understand and participate in discussions. There is no reading or grammar component to the sessions.
Get Together Dinners
Fran Gaston: 941-351-9827
Dee Widder: 941-377-9028
Dinners are held on the 4th Saturday of each month. The hosts provide the venue and coordinate the menu, with each guest bringing food to share. Sign-up is required.
Interweave
Logan Nicholson and Ron Brown : 941-922-0883
This group promotes friendship, political awareness and opportunities to reduce prejudice by increasing understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations. Monthly Rainbow Potlucks and movie nights are open to all.
Membership Development
Jeanie Craig : 941-751-5194
Joanne Curtis : 941-929-0578
Mira Frederick : 941-921-6594
Staffs Welcome Center on Sundays, assists with census, supports activities to involve members in church, conducts New Member luncheon and orientation program
Memorial Services
Diane Happy : 941-316-6499
Assists minister with memorial services by providing hospitality and refreshments.
Music Program
Don DeMaio : 941-371-8118
Recruits guest musicians for Sunday services, helps coordinate musical program with choir and pianist.
Nominating
Nancy Thomas : 941-355-8069
Presents a slate of candidates for officers and trustees of the Church Board, and for the Nominating Committee, which are voted on by the membership at the annual meeting. The Nominating Committee also encourages leadership development.
Performing Artists Series
Don DeMaio : 941-371-8118
Arranges Sunday afternoon concerts as fundraisers for the church.
Recorders
Nancy Paxcia Bibbins : 941-536-0621
Meets every Thursday from 10:30-12:00 in the Jefferson Room. This group is open to anyone who enjoys playing recorders with others.
Religious Education Committee
Nancy Thomas: 941-355-8069
Meets Monthly to strategically plan the education of our youth in coordination with the Director of Religious Education.
Religious Education Roundtable
Meets every Second Sunday during the Pot Luck Lunch to exchange important RE information, share class happenings, and provide RE parents an opportunity to voice concerns, ideas and needs.
Second Sunday Potluck
Tom and Kathy Cook : 941-923-1909
Potluck lunches are held after the service on the second Sunday of each month.
See Sarasota
Kathy Cook : 941-923-1909
This group meets monthly to explore attractions in the Sarasota area, usually going out for lunch before or after the event.
Serendipity Auction
Susan Isgar: 941-487-8082
Marie Keeney: 941-350-9868
This is our major annual fundraiser. Participate by offering goods and services, and then placing your own bids on amazing meals, tremendous trips, rides to the airport, visits to museums, and much more.
Short Story Group
Joanne Curtis: 941-929-0578
We discuss a story from each of two short story books on the fourth Monday of the month at 2:00 pm in the library.
Social Justice
Susan Hallock : 941-228-6017 and Julie Leach: 941-312-9774
Suzi Brucklacher: 941-412-612-6675
The Social Justice Committee is dedicated to working on a local, national and international level to identify social justice issues, and to educating and involving our congregation regarding these needs.
Stewardship
Bill Payton: 941-921-9094
Is entrusted with the growing, nurturing, and building of our congregants' gifts and talents and promotes the spirit that influences our service to each other and the greater community.
Sunday Celebrations
Klaus Obermeit: 941-780-7763
Collaborates with the minister in the planning, implementation and evaluation of all Sunday services. Selects, invites and hosts guest speakers when the minister is not in the pulpit.
Sunday Forums
John Stinespring : 941-922-8141
Forums take place every Sunday at 9:30 am, an hour before the service. Subjects include most anything related to ethics, morality or religion. When there are two services, the Forum takes place at 10 AM.
Sunday Hospitality
Janis Williams : 941-587-8829 and June Brasgalla: 941-379-6071
Arranges Sunday refreshments and ensures supplies are available
Sunday Service Arrangements
Louise King : 941-379-0849
Recruits ushers and greeters for Sunday services.
Tribute Fund
Esther Martin : 941-923-2177
Encourages members to make donations in honor of people and significant life events and milestones.
UU Service Committee
Sue Sherman : 941-922-5090
Sara Slate : 941-487-7086
Keeps the congregation informed of the UUSC which is a worldwide organization to help others at home and abroad.
UU-UNO
Dorothy Watson : 941-359-9760
The UU United Nations Office promotes the goal of world community.
Volunteer Coordinator
June Brasgalla : 941-379-6071
Focuses on placing new and current members on committees.
Website Design and Maintenance
Don DeMaio : 941-371-8118
Catherine Dente : 941-921-1598
Solicits and adds content to our website and keeps information about our busy and vibrant church up-to-date for the wide world.
Writing Group
Alma Manley : 941-359-6784
We read from our work and receive critiques from the group.