Arts & Aesthetics Committee
Land Use Committee
Good foods garden
Memorial Garden Committee
Keepers of the Lodge

Arts & Aesthetics Committee

The Arts & Aesthetics Committee was established in October, 1998 by the Board of Trustees. The committee maintains a written inventory of all art works in the building and is responsible for their planned placement. The plan developed by the committee respects the interior architecture of the building, considers artwork, and related donations, arranges for periodic exhibits of members and friends artwork.
To bring a suggestion or propose an exhibit, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Land Use Committee

When: 2nd Tuesday every month 7PM – 9PM
Where: FUUAA
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The UUAA Land Use Committee provides general oversight of the First UU property and assists with taking care of general landscape maintenance needs. The committee meets monthly on the Second Tuesday from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Along with the support of many quiet volunteers, our activities have included helping to plant and weed the Memorial, Sanctuary and main entry gardens, mulching the trees planted in the parking lot, providing assistance to the summer RE program to create a rain garden, and overseeing the prairie burn.

The Committee initiated an environmental stewardship program to begin to address the needs of some of the natural areas on the property as well as those of the gardens. Our stewardship days are generally scheduled for the third Saturday of the month from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the cold months October through April and 9:30 to 12:00 in the warm months from May through September. Our activities have included seed gathering in the prairie, seed cleaning to ready it for sowing back on the property, removing buckthorn from the swale leading to the detention area, and planting cuttings and bare-root trees and shrubs as replacement. We would love to have you join us as you are able to help in the care of our land. People of all ages are welcome and it’s a good chance to learn. Our goal is to improve its quality for all who use it. See you out there!

Good Food Garden

Where: FUUAA
Contact: Delphine DeCaen:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Produce from the Good Food Garden is harvested to help those in need in Washtenaw county. The food is directly given to agencies who serve those in need, or sold at FUUAA Social Hour with proceeds going to those in need.

Memorial Garden Committee

When: Approximately five times a year
Where: FUUAA
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 734-426-6351

The Memorial Garden Committee is different from the memorial service team that is part of the Pastoral Care Ministry.

The Memorials Committee was founded in 1989 to administer, for the Board, the use and appearance of the Memorial Garden and the Memorial Plaque and Book. The Statement of Intent established in 1989 includes: "The purpose of the Plaque is to make available a permanent and public memorial, record of names, birth and death dates." The Plaque may be found on the outside wall of the common room near the library windows.

The purpose of the Memorial Garden is to make available an area in which ashes may be scattered as part of a planned garden which beautifies the First UU grounds. It is our intention that all record keeping, ceremonies, and practices relating to the Plaque and Garden will be performed in such a manner as to enhance our shared life in the congregation and our memories of deceased friends and relatives.

The committee meets approximately five times a year. Persons who would like to serve on this committee or who would like to work in the garden should contact Kim.

Keepers of the Lodge

When: Check the newsletter for upcoming activities
Where: The Lodge is on the FUUAA church property
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The First UU Keepers of the Lodge organize sweat lodge ceremonies. The sweat lodge ceremony is a sacred purification ritual that takes place in a small domed structure called a sweat lodge. Outside the lodge, the group heats rocks until they glow red. The rocks are then brought into the lodge, creating a sauna like atmosphere. The door is closed so that it becomes completely dark inside. Cedar, sage, and sweet grass are placed on the rocks to honor them. People offer prayers for others and themselves and the effect is very spiritual. The lodge is a powerful, cleansing experience.

Ceremonies are not held on a regular schedule, but are announced in the First UU newsletter. Our events are open to all adult First UU members and their friends who want to sweat! Individuals with heart conditions or other medical conditions should consult with their physician before participating in a lodge ceremony. Young children are not allowed in the lodge during a sweat.