Volunteer Opportunities - Service
Service is an important part of our congregational life. We provide our members with two types of volunteer opportunities, those that support the congregation and those that benefit the wider community. We encourage our members to commit to volunteering for the congregation at least once a month and in the wider community at least once a quarter.
In Our Congregation
Welcoming Teams
An easy way to serve the congregation is to volunteer to be part of our
Sunday morning welcoming teams. Volunteers warmly greet members and newcomers
as they arrive for Sunday worship services. For more information contact
our Director of Religious Education, Rina Shere, at rinashere@yahoo.com.
Worship Associates
The Worship Associate program provides members with an opportunity to help
lead worship on Sunday. Worship Associates do readings, ask for the offering,
lead meditations, occasionally give homilies, make announcements and help
with sermon research. As a team the Worship Associates also plan four worship
services each year. Each Worship Associate will help out with between 8 and
12 services a year. Worship Associates make a two-year commitment to the
program. Applications for the program are consider in the spring. Members
interested in serving as a Worship Associate should contact Amy Collins.
Pastoral Associates
The Pastoral Associate program is an opportunity for members of the congregation to minister to each other. Pastoral Associates offer comfort and care to other members of the congregation through visits, conversations, phone calls and organizing assistance for those in need. Applications for the program are consider in the spring. Members interested in serving as a Pastoral Associate should contact Rev. Colin Bossen.
Religious Education
Our religious education program is staffed by volunteer teachers. These teachers make an important contribution to the ongoing life of our community. Each year the religious education program recruits teams of three teachers for each class. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer teacher please contact Rina Shere, our Director of Religious Education. Volunteer teachers must undergo a background check.
Committee Work
The ministry of the Society relies upon the congregation's members for its' success. Service on a committee or on the Board of Trustees is one important way that members make a contribution to the congregation's ministry. For a list of committees please visit Committees page. If you are interested in serving on a particular committee or would like to be consider for a place on the Board of Trustees please contact the Society's office and the Office Administrator will direct your interest.
In the Wider Community
The Homeless Stand Down
Each summer members of the congregation volunteer with InterAct Cleveland's Homeless Stand Down. The Homeless Stand Down is a mid-winter retreat for those facing the challenges of poverty and homelessness. Guests relax to entertainment; enjoy breakfast and a hot nutritious lunch; escape from the elements; converse with guests and hosts in an affirming environment; renew their bodies with haircuts, massages, and health screenings; have easy access to social service providers; and receive necessary personal hygiene products, bus passes and winter clothing including coats, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves. Information about this volunteer opportunity is available in December.
Greater Cleveland Congregations
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Cleveland is an active participant in Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC), a non-partisan coalition of faith communities and partner organizations in Cuyahoga County working together to build power for social justice. GCC unites people across lines of race, class, religion, and geography to promote public, private and civic sector actions which strengthen and improve the quality of life of our neighborhoods. All members of the congregation are encouraged to work with the GCC through the Society's GCC Core Team. Contact the office for more information.
US Together
The Society is currently working with the Beachwood based refugee resettlement agency US Together to help refugees adjust to life in the Cleveland area. Volunteers for this program are needed on an on-going basis. If you are interested in participating please contact the office.