Within the congregation

Chalice Circle co-facilitator
Greeter
Men's Circle facilitator
Newcomer welcome facilitator
Parish Nurse
Pastoral Care Team
Women's Circle facilitator

Outreach

Alpha House - Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)
Delonis Center Evening Meal
Michigan Prison Re-Entry Initiative Drivers and Mentors

Within the congregation

Chalice Circle Co-Facilitator

When: Two training sessions
Where: FUUAA
Contact: Terri Wilkerson, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Co-facilitators make an additional commitment to their Chalice Circle by agreeing to share a gentle leadership position. All facilitators receive lots of ongoing support and encouragement from the Chalice Circle Steering Committee.

What does it take to be a co-facilitator of a Chalice Circle?
•Commitment to our congregation, must be a member with familiarity of our principles and Unitarian Universalism
•Commitment to attend another monthly gathering which is exclusively for facilitators. So there is a total of three monthly meetings – the two of your Chalice Circle, plus the Facilitator’s Circle which meets with Ginger on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7-9 p.m.
•Commitment to attend a two session facilitator training. The first session is participating in a Chalice Circle, so you can have both the personal experience of a Chalice Circle and the specific experience of the first sampler session since the topic will be the same - Getting to Know You
•Good communication skills, and sense of self
•Desire to work with people, be a team player
•Relationship orientation and inclusive spirit
•A positive outlook
•Absence of an agenda for the group, an open mind is important
•Discretion, as confidentiality within a Chalice Circle is critical
•Some experience working with groups

Co-facilitators have 2 training sessions.
The first session is mostly participating in an actual Chalice Circle in order to have the experience before helping to create it. During the second training session we will:
1.Explore the purposes of small group ministry
2.Break down and review the session format, step by step
3.Examine the role of the facilitator
4.Discuss and practice specific skills for facilitation
5.Practice what to do when challenges arise, including actual case studies you will "solve" in small group breakouts
If you are interested in talking more about being a co-facilitator, contact Terri Wilkerson by phone 665-4663 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Greeter

Greeters arrive 20 minutes before the service and welcome all who enter the front door. Greeters also assist newcomers in filling out Visitor Information Cards, getting nametags, and finding their way. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Men’s Circle facilitator

When: approximately once every two weeks
Where: FUUAA
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The model for Men’s Circles are groups of 8-12 men which are closed in membership. Each Fall, a “Circle of Men” class is organized with support from an existing Men’s Circle. This class is based loosely on the book called “A Circle of Men” by Bill Kauth (available in our QUUest Bookstore during Social Hour). Usually, this circle is formed and the volunteer facilitator is chosen at the fall Men's Retreat, but signup should usually continue for a few weeks after the retreat in Sunday social hour. Once a class is formed, membership is closed for that class and a new Men’s Circle is formed. Traditionally, the Men's Circle for that year performs the men's service in the summer.

Newcomer welcome facilitator

Get your questions answered at the Newcomers’ Welcome Session held after each service. We have a 15-minute Newcomers' Welcome with coffee and donuts in the Redman Board Room (second door on the left as you leave the Sanctuary). One of our congregants is there to answer your questions and provide you with information material that you can take home with you. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Parish Nurse

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

Serve the health needs of the congregation by participating in blood drives and blood pressure checks and Caring Family classes— work that can save lives.

Pastoral Care Team

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

Pastoral care is the heart of First UU and looks after our members and friends in times of need. We visit those who are ill or in retirement homes; provide meals and help to the ill, injured, grieving, and to new parents; arrange rides to church and to appointments; and provide food and assistance for memorial services.

Who does pastoral care? All of us can be part of this large group of caring people who do this important work. There is no job too small and no limit to the number of people needed. The work of pastoral care is truly rewarding -- building friendships while helping others. As our Words of Affirmation say, "This is our covenant with each other…to help one another". Please know that people are here for you. If you think a little help or a listening ear would be nice, but your circumstance isn’t really serious enough to ask for pastoral care, please think again. This is not a time for New England stoicism. There is great strength in asking for a little help. It gives the rest of us permission to do the same thing. If you would like help or a listening ear, please call or email Pastoral Care Coordinator Diane McCarthy. If you would like to talk with one of the ministers about a joy, a sorrow, a decision you are trying to make or your search for meaning, give us a call at 734-665-6158.

The First Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s Pastoral Care Program has five pillars, offering diverse ways for members to be involved.

1. Our Pastoral Advocates meet monthly. They respond to joys and sorrows in the congregation with cards, phone calls or personal visits. If they learn of needs for meals, transportation or emergency childcare, they pass that information to the Meals and Transportation team. Pastoral advocates listen and let people know there are people at First UU who care about them. Pastoral care team member work with at most two people from the congregation at a time.
2. Meals and Transportation volunteers gather names from everyone willing to help with a meal or drive someone to a doctor’s appointment and calls on these volunteers as needed.
3. Wellness Parish Nurses offer opportunities to participate in blood drives and blood pressure checks and Caring Family classes— work that can save lives.
4. The Retirement Communities team is still in planning stages with hopes for ministerial attendance at retirement community worship and events, First UU Chalice Circles at retirement communities and arranging rides to church for retirement center residents.
5. Our Memorial Service Team graciously supports receptions for families of active members who hold a memorial service at First UU.

The program is coordinated by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . People from all pillars meet together three times a year. and monthly meetings will start up in the fall. Individual pillars meet more frequently as needed.

There is a definite spiritual growth that comes from responding to the “caring gene.” You get to be the person you want to be. Join us on the Pastoral Care Team.

Women’s Circle facilitator

We are currently seeking facilitators

Outreach

Alpha House – Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)

When: one week at a time, about 3-4 times a year
Where: Alpha House on Jackson Road
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 663-7535, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

IHN is a network of Ann Arbor congregations that houses up to six homeless families, mostly children, at Alpha House on Jackson Road. For one week at a time, about 3-4 times a year, 45 volunteers from our congregation bring food, diapers, and other necessities. We can stay overnight, cook and serve food, play with children and tutor them. Here UU’s have many opportunities to teach our own children to help families less fortunate than themselves. IHN Board President is UU Don Anderson. To sign up, visit the Alpha House table during coffee hour on Sunday’s prior to our hosting week, or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 663-7535, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Delonis Center Evening Meal

When: first Thursday of every month, 3-5pm, 5-7 pm
Where: the Delonis Center
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Delonis Center provides emergency shelter, meals and health services. Meals are served each evening at the Delonis Center, usually to 100 or more guests. Our congregation provides volunteers on the first Thursday of every month. Volunteers are needed for both cooking (3-5pm) and serving (5-7 pm). Sign up at the Congregational Involvement Table, or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 971-0013.

Michigan Prison Re-Entry Initiative Drivers and Mentors

When: first Monday of every month, 5:30 PM
Where: King of Kings Lutheran Church
Contact: UUAA contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 662-1820. Community Coordinator: Mary King, 327-9717

This is a Washtenaw County community service support and advocacy network for returning prisoners including assistance in housing and employment. Volunteer drivers and mentors are needed. Training will be provided. The Community Coordinating Committee meets on 1st Monday, 5:30PM at King of Kings Lutheran Church.