Get Involved

Becoming a member is easy!  Visit us, chat with us, join groups, make friends--and when you feel that FUSW has or could become your spiritual home, and you want to become part of the community in a more meaningful way, you are ready to become a member of FUSW.

Once you are ready, tell our minister or a member of the FUSW Board of Directors, or Membership Committee and they will guide you through the simple process of becoming a member.

The responsibilities of membership are that you become involved in the Society in some way that is meaningful for you and that you support the Society as you are able with a recordable annual financial commitment.

We suggest that you find a small group here that feeds your soul and that you also join in the work of a committee (many hands make light work). The Membership Committee will be glad to help you identify the group and the committee best suited to your interests and talents.

One way to get involved after you've joined the Society would be to serve as a member of the Greeting Team for a 3- to 4-month period. New members will work alongside experienced greeters during their integration period at least one service on one Sunday, each month. By bringing their perspectives as newcomers, new members provide a service that offers mentorship to those even newer to FUSW. We also hope that in the process of helping visitors find their way into our community, new members will have the opportunity to explore and discover the many opportunities for personal growth at the Society.

At FUSW, there are many chances to grow spiritually and emotionally through socializing with other members and friends.  FUSW hosts many social events, and most people also find community in active participation with the primarily social groups that are found on this page and in the primarily organizational groups found on the Care For FUSW page of this website.

Social Groups:

Potluck Committee - The purpose of Potluck Committee is to extend our opportunities to connect with each other outside of regular FUSW events.  The dinners are strictly social, with no specific topics of conversation.  They are designed to be especially welcoming to people who may not know others well or who feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar social situations.  Anyone hosting a potluck chooses the date, time and number of participants.

Men's Group - The Men’s Group meets monthly to discuss themes and topics of interest to men. Check the calendar for dates.

Women's Groups - In the Women’s Groups, like-minded women come together with an open heart and a listening ear as we share our personal experiences.  The Daytime Women’s Group meets monthly on the first Friday at 12:30 p.m. for lunch. The Evening Women’s Group meets the third Friday of the month, 7:30 – 10:00 PM.

Book Group - The Book Group selects books for spirited discussion.

FUSW children and youth also have social groups.  Please see the Children and Youth section of this website for more information on Youth Groups.

Performance Groups:
FUSW Coffee Hour Choir - Our intergenerational "drop-in" choir meets most Sundays at 10:30 and performs once or twice a month during services and at holidays.
First U Rock and Soul Revue - Jam with friends with FUSW's own rock and jazz band.  Performances are given a number of times during the year.

Spiritual Groups:
Small Group Ministry - Share your spiritual journey with a small group of caring individuals.  Under the direction of a trained facilitator, Small Group Ministry Fellowship Groups meet twice monthly to discuss values and the universal challenges of life. The groups bring people into deeper relationship with each other, and help them to form stronger connections to FUSW. Small Group Ministry Fellowship Groups exist so that people can explore their personal beliefs, get to know one another, and share their individual spiritual journeys.

FUSW members and friends are actively working to make our world a better place.  The mission of the Social Action Committee is to provide awareness and opportunity for action to our congregation and the community at large to implement the UU principles through projects that address hunger, poverty, tolerance, equality, freedom, and environmental issues.  Areas of action are aligned with our values and include:

Each Person is Important - Be Kind in All that You Do

Midnight Run: On a monthly basis, we prepare and deliver meals, clothing and human connection to homeless men and women in Manhattan. Donations of food, clothing, toiletries, and time (adult and youth volunteers) are greatly needed.

Feed the Hungry: The FUSW food pantry collections are delivered to St Joseph’s Church in Yonkers on Saturdays where over 250 families await assistance.  Donations from local supermarkets are collected for this program and also for The Sharing Community soup kitchen in Yonkers.

Share the Plate: Once a month, FUSW supports local charities by sharing donations from the collection plate, as well as educating our congregation about each charity that we sponsor.

All People Need a Voice - Build a Fair and Peaceful World

Common Ground Coffeehouse: Our monthy Coffeehouse presents community concerts featuring nationally touring, local, and in-house artists from diverse musical genres. Profits support the Common Ground Microcredit Fund, which funds local, regional, national, and global charities, services, and justice organizations. Common Ground also supports the Green Sanctuary Committee by paying for fair trade organic coffee at FUSW services, and for energy efficient LED lighting at FUSW.

Action and Advocacy: FUSW fosters member activism on genocide, war, public health, human rights, environmental concerns and other public policy issues.

Spectrum: The Spectrum group nurtures an inclusive community at FUSW. Members across the spectrum: Straight, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning discuss and publicize issues with the goal of extending acceptance and affirming human rights to all, everywhere. 

UU-UNO: UU-UNO helps the work of the UN to advance a peaceful, just, sustainable and pluralistic world community that promotes human rights. 

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee: UUSC connects our congregation with the larger UU social justice effort through programs such as Guest at Your Table, holiday card sales, and Promise the Children.

We are Part of Something Bigger - Care for Earth’s Lifeboat

Green Sanctuary Committee: Green Sanctury at FUSW oversees environmental initiatives toward UUA accreditation and promotes “green” facilities, products and habits at FUSW and at home.

Fair Trade Coffee Club: Offers members to purchase, support, and enjoy organic, shade-grown, fairly traded coffee at home.

Kenya Project: FUSW collects used hardware and software for refurbishment at Children's Village, and then for donation to schools in rural Kenya.  In exchange, the schools plant trees.

FUSW is always ready to start up new projects.  If you have an idea for a project, we'll find people with the same passion to work with you.

Support the FUSW community with your time and talents! FUSW is a volunteer organization, which means that FUSW is what we make of it.  If we dream it and do the work, we can make it happen!

There are many ways members support the FUSW community.  Here are some of the ways we serve each other, and make it possible for our rich community, programs, and services to exist:

Board of Trustees - FUSW is a democracy.  Members elect the Board of Trustees, which is our secondary governing body. The primary governing body is the congregation itself.  (Every UU congregation is entirely independent; there is not outside religious body with any authority in our congregation.)

The joy and the heart of First Unitarian are in our service with each other in Committees and Groups. This is how we turn our dreams into reality.

Committees That Manage Our Key Functions:

Committee on Ministry:  The COM is made up of three well respected members of the congregation, the Director of Religious Education and the minister.  They are charged with aiding the congregation in our primary ministries and in providing oversight and support as we work together to fullfill our mission.

Finance - The Finance Committee, in connection with the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer and Committee Chairs, supports the Board's responsibility to preserve and protect the financial assets of the congregation.  

Membership - The vision of the Membership Committee is to build a caring, interconnected and diverse spiritual community.  Our mission is to attract and welcome guests (i.e., first-time visitors), educate guests about what membership means and ultimately to invite them to become members.

Religious Education - The Religious Education Committee oversees the Religious Education Program. The mission of the Religious Education Program is to provide an extraordinary spiritual, intellectual, educational, and social experience for the children and youth in our congregation; to create a safe and nurturing environment in which they feel free to learn together, develop their own theology, build community, and work for a better world; and to support parents and caregivers in their role as the primary religious educators of their children.

Groups Responsible for Sunday Services:

Worship Committee: Our minister is ultimately responsible for most of our Sunday services, but she doesn't do it alone.  The Worship Committee works in partnership to ensure strong, organized, inspirational worship.  They help with major decisions as well as the more mundane tasks required for truly good worship.

Program Groups - Our minister is in the pulpit, in general, three out of every four Sundays.  On the alternative Sundays, our own Program Groups are responsible for services.  Each year, the members and friends of the congregation are divided into Program Groups, which collaborate to design and present lay-led services.  Generally, this process begins with a pot-luck dinner to get acquainted, select a theme, and organize who will take on the various responsibilities for putting on the service.  The Program Groups are an enduring and cherished tradition of FUSW.  They are an excellent way to become involved in FUSW’s activities and to meet new people, even if you are a long-term member of FUSW.

Hospitality - The Hospitality Team hosts the Coffee Hour after each minister-led service.  This includes brewing coffee, making tea, and presenting a variety of tasty snacks and other beverages.  Adults and children gather round the table to munch and socialize, giving us a special opportunity to chat with each other, meet newcomers, and continue to share our thoughts on that morning’s service.  Donations are requested from members to cover the costs. 

Summer Services - During the summer, we have one lay-led service each Sunday morning, usually at 10:00 a.m.  The Summer Services Coordinator is responsible for recruiting members and friends of the congregation to lead services, offering support in selection of hymns and other elements of the service. The Summer Services Coordinator also communicates with the congregation and the Administrator as needed to publicize the services.

Groups That Keep Our Building Clean, Safe, Beautiful and Green:

Facilities - The Facilities Committee oversees all repairs and maintenance of the building, communicating with contractors and vendors, the Office Administrator, and facility users.  The Committee delegates various projects which involve the upkeep and improvement of the building and its environment.

Grounds - The Grounds Committee cares for the entire property outside the building:  the parking lot and driveways, lawn, front porch and all plantings.  We do pruning and some planting, keep the grounds clean, and maintain contact with the lawn and snowplow services.  We also maintain two gardens, one for vegetables and perennials, and one for herbs, and maintain the garden shed and hoses.

Art/Amenities - The Arts and Amenities Committee arranges for the exhibition of artwork, and cares for aesthetics of the entrance hall and meeting room. Though open to suggestions by the congregation, the Arts & Amenities Committee should be consulted before any additions or changes are made to these areas of the building. Our objective is to present an attractive and clutter-free first impression when entering the building and make the meeting room pleasant and conducive to a spiritual environment.

Green Sanctuary -The Mission of the Green Sanctuary Committee is to assist FUSW in obtaining eventual “Green Sanctuary Certification” as well as to educate FUSW on sustainability and green living.  “Green Sanctuary” is a program of the Unitarian Universalist Association. It is designed to help each congregation explore what it means to live out its commitment to the Earth by creating sustainable lifestyles for its members individually and as a faith community.

Performing Arts - The Performing Arts Committee coordinates and organizes performances (both theater and music) with an emphasis on fundraising and public relations for FUSW.  Events may include performances by our own FUSW members and collaborative efforts with neighboring UU congregations or outside performers.

Lay Ministry and Pastoral Care Programs:
Community Connections - Community Connections is a network of empathetic friends and members of First Unitarian who will respond to crises and provide support for those who are deeply concerned about health, personal, or family issues.  They listen, help find resources, and alert other congregants to ongoing needs.  Community Connections serves to aid the minister in this important work and adds lay pastoral care to the fine efforts of the minister and committees already in place.

Caring Committee - The Caring Committee is a team of caring volunteers who support fellow members in need with specific tasks and errands, such as by providing rides to doctor appointments or meal deliveries.  This committee coordinates care in communication with the minister and the Community Connections team.

Staff Relations Teams:
Staff Relations - The Staff Relations Committee supports the Board in official employment matters concerning the minister, professional staff and other employees.  It serves as a communication channel between staff and congregation, supports staff members, keeps staff advised of conditions within the congregation, and advises the board and finance committee on compensation and professional development.

Communications within and beyond FUSW:

Public Relations - The Public Relations Committee works on finding ways of getting information about the programs and services of FUSW out to the public through a variety of means, including submitting notices, advertisements, letters and articles in local newspapers and other media.

Website - The Website Committee is responsible for the FUSW website.

Denominational Affairs - The Denominational Affairs Committee keeps FUSW informed about the Northern Area Council, UU District of Metro NY, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) activities. This committee also coordinates collections for Chalice Lighters, UUSC holiday cards, and UUSC “Guest at Your Table” programs.

Finding Leadership:
Leadership Development + Nominating Committee - The LDNC makes nominations from among the members for the officers and trustees of the Society, to be acted upon at the Annual Corporate Meeting; and, at the request of the Board of Trustees, fills vacancies in any office or on the Board until the next meeting, except that of the President (filled by the Vice President).