How are the new staff positions working out?
Awesome! We hired two great and talented people, Theresa Veramendi and Shelby Hunkins. They are both members of our congregation and are working hard to help us live into our mission more fully.
Social Justice Coordinator
So far Theresa has:
- Offered a Building Our Commitment to Social Justice workshop that helped generate many ideas about how our congregation can be active in social justice.
- Offered Stage 2 workshop of the above, which generated five working groups focused on racism, climate change, poverty, immigration, and LGBTQ+ issues.
- Promoted the Social Justice Initiative (SJI) conference on NCPR and B99.3.
- Cultivated relationships with dozens of leaders within the congregation.
- Met with representatives from universities and other area nonprofits to help connect resources and support the development of collaborative solutions to local issues.
- Has taken leadership within North Country’s Poor People’s Campaign, helping organize and grow this local activist group.
In the near future and ongoing she will be:
- Connecting with and drawing in newer, younger, and more diverse members to the congregation.
- Serving on the SJI and Social Action committees.
- Organizing and emceeing the Justice for All Poetry Slam.
- Organizing Dia de Los Muertos Fiesta for local Spanish-speaking immigrants.
- Strengthening connections with local university students.
- Listening to and addressing concerns of the congregation around issues of pronouns, Priest Gardens, and more.
Assistant Director of Religious Education
Last year it was apparent that that our RE program required an increase in staff hours not just to grow, but to serve our current youth and children. Shelby has been a wonderful addition. So far she has:
- Taken a leadership role in younger-grade classrooms where there is a “bubble” of children.
- Participated in the UU Leadership Institute course “Stop Recruiting, Start Retaining: Creating a Culture of Volunteer Sustainability.”
- Created material for and supported the weekly teaching team for Summer Passport to Adventure.
- Trained as an OWL facilitator for K-1 and 4-6.
- Created four new stories for the Spirit Play classroom.
- Developed the curriculum plan for the Love Will Guide Us 2nd/3rd grade class.
- Assisted with Teaching Ministry Workshop planning and implementation.
In the near future and ongoing, she will:
- Serve as Acting DRE when Carol is away.
- Support the Nursery, Spirit Play and 2nd/3rd grade teaching teams by providing resources and materials needed for each class session.
- Create a three-year rotation of stories for Spirit Play.
- Bring her love of children and skills/resources as a homeschooler to enhance the classroom curriculum and offerings from the RE ministry.
- Offer valuable ideas, suggestions for supporting the families of our congregation.
- Help garner support for and create a plan to implement a Lifespan Our Whole Lives program.
- Support faith formation for teaching teams during Sunday Morning Huddles.
- Give Carol time to focus on multigenerational worship, middle level Our Whole Lives, middle level classrooms, youth ministry, family ministry, and strategic planning.
If you have question about canvass goals and plans, feel free to ask your canvasser or a member of the Canvass Committee.