(Please read through these notes carefully as you have some new responsibilities when you agree to prepare the Center Table.)
Our Sunday services begin at 10:30 AM. Please give yourself enough time to have the center table set up and the room in order by 10:15 AM so that everything is ready before members and visitors stream in.
Please provide flowers, plants or objects for the center table that may serve as an attractive focal point during the services. Seasonal decorations that can last for a month are welcome. If you choose potted flowers or plants, be sure to water them and to place a plate under them to protect the brass table underneath. You may also place a large plant on the floor with protection beneath it or on one of the pedestal stands.
Please check that matches, candle snuffer, and all necessary candles for joys and concerns are on the center table. Please check to see that the candle water in the dish is not slimy, and change at least once a month, preferably on your first Sunday. You can carefully add water using a pitcher from downstairs each Sunday if needed. Extra floating candles are in the cabinet at the rear corner of the room.
Please be sure that the Chalice Candle is ready to be lit on the pedestal stand to the side of the podium.
Please be sure that the room is neat and tidy, that the pews are neatly lined up and that the hymnals are evenly distributed.
Please turn the lights on and ensure that the room temperature is comfortable. In warm weather, you may need to open the windows. In the winter, the heat should start automatically about 1 hour before the service – if there is no warmth in the pipes when you arrive, you can manually adjust the thermostat at the rear of the sanctuary. (It takes about an hour for the room to reach the target temperature.)
The sound system will also need to be turned on. If you need some assistance with this or with any of these preparations, please ask another member to help you.
GROUNDS
The duties involved in volunteering to take care of the Fellowship grounds for the month will vary according to the season.
September:
Grass cutting* (if necessary), weeding, litter pick up.
Litter should be placed in a plastic bag and brought
home for disposal.
October:
Raking of leaves, pruning of bushes as necessary,
litter pick up. The owner of the vacant lot across
West Nelson Street has agreed to let us put our leaves and brush there, away from the road, so you
could bring a tarp or something to drag them over there.
November:
Raking of leaves, pruning of bushes as necessary,
litter pick up. (See Sept. and Oct. instructions.
See December – March in the event of snow.)
December – March:
Shoveling and “salting” of walk from parking
lot to front door. Shovels and bags of “ice melt” pellets are kept in the front foyer and/or the furnace room.
If you need to purchase more ice pellets, feel
free to submit receipt to treasurer for reimbursement. Please purchase magnesium chloride pellets, as they are reputed to be the least corrosive.
The man who plows our lot will snow blow the
the town sidewalks. He also does the
Fellowship walks, but please come by 10:00
Sunday morning after a recent snow to check.
April:
Raking of leaves left over from fall, litter pick up.(See Sept. and Oct. above re leaves and December – March in the event of snow.)
May:
Grass cutting* (if necessary), litter pick up and
creative gardening of your choice, if you so desire.
June – August:
Grass cutting*, litter pick up.
*An electric lawn mower is kept in the furnace room. It is small but very manageable. The battery is on the table to the right of the downstairs desk. It has been charged. Please plug it in for re-charging after you mow. If you need a key to get into the building, please see a Board member ahead of time.
If you have a truck and would prefer to bring your own mower, that's fine, too.
Revised 1/3/10)
MUSIC
For the first Sunday of the month, bring two selections of music, preferably on CD, although the system can play tapes and records as well. Keep selections under four minutes. Please announce the name of the piece and the artist before you play it. This music is to be played during the Offering.
Arrive early enough to familiarize yourself with the equipment, test the volume, etc. before the program starts. There are instructions on the door of the sound system cabinet.
It has become a tradition to try to make the musical selection somehow tie in with the speaker's talk. This is not always possible, nor is it always desirable. It is more important that the music be spiritually uplifting or that it facilitates meditation. Should you wish to play something secular in order to connect with the speaker's topic, please attempt to state verbally some connection between the topic and our shared Unitarian Universalist principles.
If you have to miss a Sunday program, please arrange ahead of time for someone else to bring music.
READING
For the first and third (and occasional fifth) Sundays of the month when we do not have our minister with us, please bring a brief reading of an inspirational, meditative, or thought provoking nature.
Please stand at the podium to read.
If you have to miss a Sunday program, please arrange ahead of time for someone else to bring a reading.
REFRESHMENTS
Fair Trade coffee is provided by the Youth Group. It is stored in the freezer. When the supply of coffee is down to 4 bags, notify the Treasurer to send a check to the Youth Group Fair Trade Coffee Coordinator. The Treasurer will know the cost from the earlier orders.
Please check the supply of decaf instant coffee, tea, sugar and sugar substitute the week before your duty time. Supplement as necessary. Anything edible not in a tightly sealed container should be kept in the refrigerator to prevent the possibility of bugs or mice getting into it.)
Bring each Sunday: milk for coffee "Store bought" or homemade goodies (In August of 2006, the water at the UUFSC was certified as completely potable by the testing process administered by the town of Newton. This obviates the need to bring bottled water as we have done in the past.)Check dishwasher and empty clean dishes from last use.
Make coffee downstairs in the large electric coffeemaker labeled "Coffee". Use 2 level tablespoons or 1/8th cup of coffee to 1 cup 8oz. of water.On Sundays when the Minister is here, make 35 cups: when the Minister is not here make 30 cups. Heat water for tea and instant coffee in the other large electric coffeemaker labeled "Hot water." Fill about half full with water and leave the stem and basket in to minimize the noise. Place the coffeemakers and goodies on the table under the windows. Start the coffee brewing and the water heating before going upstairs to the service.
Because we are a "Green Sanctuary"we do not use disposable dishes or utensils. Yellow plastic coffee cups are stored in the upper cabinet between the sink and dishwasher, and silverware is in a drawer to the left of the dishwasher.
Clean up: Put as many dishes and utensils as you can in the dishwasher, and hand wash those remaining and allow to air dry in the dish rack. If unsure about dishwasher operation, please ask for assistance. You need not wait for cycle to complete before leaving.
Please take home with you all garbage and recyclables and replace the plastic bags in the cans. We do not have any garbage pick-up at the Fellowship.
If you have to miss a Sunday, please arrange ahead of time for someone to serve. It is often easiest to trade a week with the next month’s volunteer.
GUEST WELCOME
The volunteer for the Guest Welcome (greeter) should arrive no later than 10:00 a.m. New people tend to arrive early. Please be sure to get the Visitor Welcome key to the building from the prior month’s Visitor Welcome person. Keep it for the month, then pass it on to the nest Visitor Welcome volunteer.After unlocking the door, please push the door lock to the unlocked position so others can enter after you.
Position yourself initially at the welcome table in the upstairs vestibule. Even though you are acting in an official capacity, you should not present yourself as an official "glad hander." Act natural and as informally as possible. If this is the person’s first visit ask them to sign the guest book. If this is the person's return visit ask them to complete the Guest Information Card. When they return the guest card please check that it is complete and legible. Then offer them a copy of the DVD "Our Liberal Faith".
Please be alert to any newcomer who may raise security concerns. In that event, inform a Board member of your concerns and they will handle the situation.
After the service please accompany newcomers to the social hour if they want to stay. If you are unable to do this please ask someone else to do it.
Suggestions:
oBe friendly, but do not apply any "hard sell" tactics.
oPrepare a name tag for each guest.
oTry to introduce newcomers to other members of the Fellowship.
Depending on the newcomers’ level of interest, give them any or all of the following:
Order of Service
Current issue of the Quest
UU Fellowship of Sussex County flyer
UUA pamphlets, especially the red "We Are"pamphlet
A Principles and Purposes wallet card
Our R.E. Curriculum booklet, if there are children in the family
Follow up:
Give the completed Guest Information Card to L.Sodora. In her absence give it to a member of the Membership Committee- T.Soderholm, M.Chapman, or S.Sattin
If you have to miss a scheduled Sunday, please arrange ahead of time for someone else to serve. Often assignments can be traded. If you have any questions about this assignment, call Sally Sattin at 973-729-7092.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR FELLOWSHIP. Revised 12/6/08
