GREETINGS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
GROUPS
Senior Choir
The Senior Choir is composed of adults and teenagers who like to sing. The Choir rehearses three Sundays each month from September-May at 9:15 a.m. in the Music Room on the lower level, and sings in the worship service twice each month. Occasionally special programs like the Holiday Pageant require extra rehearsals. The Choir sings a wide variety of music from all periods and from many cultures and traditions. Some pieces are sung a cappella, others with accompaniment by organ, piano, percussion, or other instruments. Choir members get together at least once a year for food and fun. For more information, contact Choir Director Carol Strome at 268-0225.
The
Children's Choir is open to all 2nd-6th graders who like to sing. The Choir performs at least twice each year, at the December
Holiday Pageant and the spring Religious Education Sunday.
Rehearsals are held after church for several weeks preceding each
performance, and are announced in the monthly newsletter, in Sunday orders of
service, and through sign-up sheets in the church Social Room.
New members are always welcome. For
more information, contact Director Carol Strome at 268-0225.
Handbell Choir
The Handbell
Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7 and new ringers -- from high school
age up -- are always welcome. One
does not need to be able to read music; more important is the ability to count
notes and rests and keep a steady beat. The
Handbell Choir plays in church once a month, performing a variety of pieces from
written scores and also doing "change ringing," wherein the leader
calls out directions. The Handbell
Choir also plays for special occasions, such as the Holiday Pageant, and those
who can participate only for a limited time are also welcome.
For more information, contact Music Director Nelly Case at 386-2684
(home) or 267-2759 (work).
Not a group
per se, but another opportunity to try out the handbells especially designed for
young children. Most Sundays from September-May two people, aged 6 and up, meet
15 minutes before the service to rehearse a very short melody on the bells to
play as a signal that the service has begun.
No music reading ability or prior experience is necessary.
Those wishing to play can sign up on the kiosk in the Social Room for the
Sunday of their choice. For more
information, contact Music Director Nelly Case at 386-2684 (home) or 267-2759
(work).
Though based at SUNY Potsdam, SUUNNY welcomes all college students and college-age young adults, and a college group is forming at St. Lawrence University as well. Members plan their own activities, on-campus and off, including opportunities for exploration of spiritual issues and for socializing and fun as well. SUUNNY members are also an integral part of our church community.
The Youth
Group is open to all high school students.
Largely self-directed, the group is coordinated by our Director of
Religious Education and meets twice each month, with their advisors to plan
programs. Recent activities include
movies-and-discussion, an overnight at the church, and helping with the Hunger
Banquet. Youth Group members also
take part in many all-church activities, from work parties to worship services.
For more information, contact Director of Religious Education Jan Hutslar
at 386-2498,
The Coming
of Age program (COA) is offered every other year for 8th-9th graders.
Participants explore their own religious ideas, Unitarian Universalism,
world religions, social justice, and service to the wider community.
Each COA youth has an adult mentor from the congregation. The year
culminates with a trip to Boston, the cradle of our faith.
Funds for the Boston trip come in part from the youths' own fundraising
efforts. For more information,
contact Director of Religious Education Jan Hutslar at 386-2498.
An excellent
sexuality education program offered every other year for youth in 7th-9th
grades. Facilitators are specially
trained, and a parent orientation is part of the program.
For more information, contact Director of Religious Education Jan Hutslar
at 386-2498.
UShare
UShare is
our congregational social justice project for all ages. In our Canton and Potsdam gardens, we grow fresh vegetables
and deliver them to food pantries all over the county. We also engage in education and advocacy on hunger and food
issues. For more information,
contact Sue Powers (265-1748) or Dave Bradford (265-3426)
COMMITTEES
Committees
are places where tasks are accomplished, but they are much more than that --
they are often places where relationships are built and spirits nurtured as
well. A Committee Fair is held each
fall to publicize the work of these groups, but the committees below welcome new
members at any time.
Fundraising (special fundraising events): chair currently
vacant
Archives:
Greeters: Stevie Michaelson (386-5250)
Library: Judy Gibson (386-4643)
Social Hour Hosts: Judy DeGraaff (379-9275)
Church & Community
Program: Kathy Curro (379-9171) and Esther Katz (386-5223)
EVEN
Circle Suppers
These are
winter-time potluck suppers (or lunches or brunches) for 8 or so people, held in
members' homes in February- April. The
Membership Committee recruits hosts and participants and matches up the groups.
Hosts supply the main course, guests bring the rest of the meal, and
everyone gets a chance to get to know each other in a small group setting.
Groups can be set up to include children, or to please folks with
vegetarian or other food needs. A
wonderful way to meet people you don't know well! For more information, contact Charlotte Ramsay at
386-8478.
Pancake Breakfast
The Membership Committee sponsors a Pancake Breakfast before church once each spring, featuring pancakes, sausage, and beverages. There is no charge for the breakfast, and all are welcome. Watch for a notice in the newsletter, or contact Charlotte Ramsay at 386-8478 or Stevie Michaelson 386-5250.
Church Picnic
Each June,
usually on Fathers' Day, the Social Events Committee coordinates an after-church
picnic at Bend in the River Park in Canton.
The committee staffs the grills, and others bring salads and desserts,
along with outdoor games and/or musical instruments.
A fun event for all ages. For
more information, contact Lisa McCarty at 268-8910.
All-Church Retreat
Often in the
fall we hold an all-church retreat on a Friday night and Saturday at a nearby
camp or conference center, most recently, at Star Lake. The retreat is designed for all ages, and offers workshops,
worship, outdoor activities, and lots of opportunities for getting to know each
other better. Watch for newsletter
announcements in the late summer.
After-Church Lunches
Lunches are
held after church on some Sundays. Some
are potlucks, others not. Some are
fundraisers, others are held in conjunction with a meeting, and others are just
for fellowship. All are welcome.
Watch the newsletter for details.
Newcomers' Orientations
These after-church gatherings are held several times a year to introduce newcomers to Unitarian Universalism and to our church. For more information, contact Co-Ministers Anne Marsh and Wade Wheelock at 386-2498.
Newcomers' Dinners
The Membership Committee coordinates "Getting to Know You" dinners throughout the year for newcomers who'd like to be invited to dinner at a veteran member's home. For more information, contact Charlotte Ramsay at 386-8478 or Stevie Michaelson at 386-5250.
Currently
the Encountering Faiths book group meets one Sunday a month after church.
The Adult Whole Education Committee coordinates at least four programs a
year on a variety of topics relating to spiritual growth and learning.
In addition, several multi-session evening programs are offered each
year; recent topics have included: Confucianism, Islam, economic justice, and
meditation. For more information,
contact the Co-Ministers Anne Marsh and Wade Wheelock at 386-2498.
Pizza and Games Night
An annual
event that alternates between Canton and Potsdam, and features the world’s
best home-made pizza, plus board games for all ages, or just a chance to talk
with one another. Plans are in the
works for more frequent Family Nights. For
more information, contact
Lisa McCarty at
268-8910.
OCCASIONAL EVENTS
Canoe
Outings * Camping Trips * Ice Skating * Chili Cook-off * Services Auction *
Movie Nights * Mystery Theatre * Highway Clean-up * Holiday Benefit Concert *
Social Justice Speakers Series * Help at Free Will Dinners * Kids’ Overnights
* Coming of Age Café * Candidates' Forums * Concerts by Syracuse Gay and
Lesbian Chorus, the Mississauga Festival Youth Choir, Jim Scott, and more
SOME SPECIAL WORSHIP
SERVICES
Homecoming:
Water, Stone, and Shells * Harvest Thanksgiving * Day of the Dead * Thanksgiving
for All Ages * Midwinter Festivals Pageant * Winter Solstice * Christmas Eve
Candlelight * Kwanzaa * Martin Luther King, Jr., Sunday * Earth Day * Religious
Education Sunday * Monthly Children’s Celebrations * Youth Group and Young
Adult Services * Coming of Age Bridging Ceremony
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