Ways to Get Involved
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There are many opportunities to volunteer at First Unitarian. Studies show that volunteering for at least two hours a week increases your overall happiness. Volunteer, meet new people, have fun, and be happy! ​
 

• Archives Team: This team maintains historical records pertaining to our building and our congregation and keeps scrapbooks of members who appear in the news. Contact Linda Parker at lparkerlib@gmail.com.
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• Caring Team: The Caring team maintains contact with and expresses concerns for ill, homebound, and bereaved members of the church.

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• Baby Welcoming Team: This is a subgroup of the Caring Team to make sure families have a few meals when the baby first comes by setting up a meal train. We also make sure everyone expecting has a baby shower, which is typically a simple get-together at a restaurant for those expecting their second or third child. Contact Sara Switzer at smswitzer15@gmail.com.

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• Green Team: The Green Team needs you! We are collecting environmentally conscious individuals in one place. Right now, we help reduce paper goods by volunteering to do dishes for events. Various leads are moving forward on green projects. They send relevant information, ask for help, and call for action through our email greenteam@firstuuomaha.org. 

• Finance Team: The Finance Team has a major responsibility conducting a pledge campaign each spring. They also help supervise church finances and help develop the budget to be approved at the Annual Membership Meeting each May. Contact Walt Jesteadt at treasurer@firstuuomaha.org.
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• Chalice Guild: A small group who maintains some hidden, but necessary parts of the church. Bi-annually the Guild does a deep-cleaning of the kitchen: stove, refrigerator, etc. Regularly, linens are laundered. The candles in the front of the sanctuary are changed quarterly, and the brass tops are cleaned/polished. The chair of the team orders the new candles. Annual members of the guild vacuum the pews and pew racks. Contact: Kay Lynn Goldner at klgoldner@cox.net.
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• Fellowship Team: This team provides opportunities for people of all ages in the church community to interact socially and build community. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: the Holiday Dinner, Circle Suppers, the Fall Picnic/Social, Chili Cook-off and multi-generational events. Contact our ​admin at admin@firstuuomaha.org for more information.
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• First UU Young Adults: This group welcomes everyone ages 18-35 from all over the Omaha Metro. We’ll begin our new series: "Becoming: A Spiritual Guide for Navigating Adulthood." We also hot a Young Adult Game Night which is usually held the 3rd Friday of the month. Contact the current leader at youngadults@firstuuomaha.org.
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• Fundraising Team: FUNdraising Team is responsible for raising a specific amount of money each year, as specified in the annual church budget approved each May. Usually this is $15-17,000, most of which comes from the annual big Heart & Hand Auction in October. The auction has its own co-chairs and team, but is part of Fundraising. To get in involved in the auction, contact the current leader at auction@firstuuomaha.org. Other activities in recent years have involved selling scrip (gift) cards, running a UUnique Boutique, selling snow cones at public events, and hosting smaller parties to raise funds for the church.  All requests for fundraising events go to this Team for approval and scheduling, with church groups having priority over outside causes.
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• Heritage Task Force: We’re looking forward to celebrating in 2018-19, the Centennial of our church building and the Sesquicentennial (150 years) of the signing of the articles of incorporation of our church. We need people with a variety of skills and interests: event planners, publications and public relations types, techies, writers, editors, archivists, architects, artistic types and of course people who love this place and its history. Contact Dave Richardson (drichardson821@gmail.com) 
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• The Membership Team: The membership team helps arrange for orientation sessions and helps guide new members into channels of church activity where their talents can flourish and grow. They also supervise the membership book, the name tags, and the regular recognition of new and longtime members. Contact our ​admin at admin@firstuuomaha.org for more information.
   

• Office Team: The Office Team helps with office tasks from envelope stuffing and word processing, to computer and procedural consultations, assessing office needs and budgeting office funds. Contact Carolyn McNamara​ for more information. 
   

• ​Worship Arts Team: This team provides many avenues for lay people to be involved in the church services, including serving as ushers, chalice lighters, church criers, readers, and chancel decorators. They also arrange for occasional lay-led services and for an exciting array of summer services when the minister is on vacation. Contact worshipteam@firstuuomaha.org to contact the current team.
   

• Side with Love Team: Our faith calls us to act in solidarity, understanding that interdependence means “None of us are free until all of us are free.” Our lives and future are bound together, and together is how we move forward toward living out our faith in a just and loving world.
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• Youth and Children Religious Education Team: The Religious Education Team oversees our lively Religious Education offerings including Sunday School and youth activities. Contact connect our religious education leader at dre@firstuuomaha.org.​​​