Organisation

"Unitarians know how to relax and enjoy each other's company as well as taking time to wrestle with the really important issues," is what Rev. Dr. Phillip Hewett wrote for the web site of the Canadian Unitarian Council, or CUC .

The Universalist Unitarian Church of Halifax (UU Church) is a member of CUC. According to the Church By-laws we devote our resources to religious, educational, and charitable purposes for the encouragement of free religion.

Any person becoming a friend of the Church, relaxing and celebrating in the company of others, while taking time to discuss the answers to questions on really important issues, may choose to become a Church member.

Becoming a member of the Church means that one agrees to abide by the by-laws, and to discharge and share in the responsibilities consistent with them.

The Church's organisation reflects the principle of shared ministry. Every friend or member is encouraged to bring their own unique gifts to contribute to the work of the committees and task groups. Some of these committees and task groups are listed below.

Church Vestry

The vestry (or the board) is the body of 13 members who are elected for varying terms of one to three years to act as the congregation's trustees between Annual General Meetings. The vestry-executive consists of a president, a past-president, a vice-president, a treasurer, and a secretary.

The remaining eight vestry-members represent the various Church committees listed below. Vestry has two roles: governance and management.

The governance role is to set direction and goals for the church, create policies to act as guidelines in attaining the church's mission; oversee the hiring, evaluation, and continued support of church staff; and to ensure that there are sufficient funds and energy for the continued operations of the church.

The management role entails executing the church's goals. This is done through paid staff and through members' and friends' shared ministries: committee work, running events, and doing any tasks helpful to the smooth running of the church. When possible, procedures are put into place to clarify our day-to-day operations by staff and members.

Vestry ensures that the proper connections are maintained with our national body, the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC); UU Association of America (UUA), and other UU-related international bodies.

Committees and Task Groups

Worship, Religious Education, Fellowship, Communications, Membership, Caring, Small Group Ministry, Property, Finance, Social Action, Strategic Planning, Nominating, CUC/Denominational Affairs, Committee on Ministry

If you are a friend or a member of the UU Church of Halifax and you are willing to help on any of the task groups or committees mentioned please call the Office Administrator Sandra Jamieson at 492-5500. She can provide you with information on whom to contact.

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