Church Life Through Our Committees: Purposes and Goals of Each


The Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church Community is a warm, inviting place made so in part by the volunteer spirit of many members through our Church Committees. The overall governance and vibrancy of our church is well represented by the following committees:



  • The Adult Religious Enrichment Committee provides support and guidance to the Director of Adult Religious Enrichment. The Committee aids the Director in determining the nature and number of Religious Enrichment programs, assists with publicity for the programs, and supports the delivery of the actual program. The goals for the Committee are to continue to provide support for the Director as she adds to and expands Religious Enrichment programs. Additionally, the Committee will help in the creation of adult forums and workshops, identification of leaders and/or speakers, and support for the events.

  • The Arts Committee provides an attractive, welcoming atmosphere for all who enter the doors of our church through the display of our art, flowers, and welcome sign. The goals for the Arts Committee include a careful review of our current art collection, planning for a new Welcome sign, and the effective use of our artistic talents to enhance the beauty of our church.

  • The Care Committee provides support services to church members in need. This can include assisting with memorial services, transportation to church, doctor appointments, or grocery shopping, delivery of meals, and telephone calls to or visits with members at home or care facilities. The Care Committee goal is to continue to be of service to our members who are in need.

  • The Canvass Committee works in concert with the Board of Trustees to plan for and conduct the annual canvass of the church members for pledges to the financial health and well being of the church. Our spring drive includes a Fellowship Dinner where all members of the church are invited and then encouraged to make a pledge of financial support for the following year. The goal of the Committee is to determine the needs of the church financially, plan for and canvass all members of the church to secure pledge support to meet the financial needs, and conduct the canvass at the Annual Fellowship Dinner. The Endowment Committee encourages our members to support the Endowment Fund created in 1968. The Endowment Fund was begun to ensure the long-term financial stability of the church with continuing income and to help finance future capital expenditures. The goal of the Committee is to continually seek growth of the Fund through solicitation of gifts from members and other friends of the church and to protect the Fund through sound investment practices. To meet the goal, the Committee works to call attention of the Fund through church publications and to point out the advantages of giving to the Fund .

  • The Fellowship Committee provides activities encouraging informal socializing among church members and friends. Three events are scheduled every year including the annual June picnic, Stone Soup Sunday, and the Christmas Eve potluck dinner. Other fellowship activities include Circle Dinners, Sunday soup specials, and music/theater outings. The goal of the Fellowship Committee is to continue to provide informal, volunteer activities of interest to our church members and friends.

  • The Flower Committee provides flower arrangements for the Sunday Service and other church events as needed.The goal of the Flower Committee is to support Sunday Services and other church related events with flower arrangements.

  • The Grounds Committee takes responsibility for monitoring and maintaining the church grounds. The Committee solicits bids from appropriate vendors and selects vendors to care for the lawn, trees and bushes. The Committee also monitors and maintains the parking lot, signage, and works with volunteers who care for the flower beds on the grounds. The Committee Chair works with potential renters and makes recommendations to the Board regarding rental contracts. The Grounds Committee also plans for and directs a semi-annual spring and fall cleanup each year. The goal of the Grounds Committee is to ensure the proper maintenance and care for the grounds of the church and to ensure the beauty of the church grounds will be enhanced whenever possible.

  • The Historical Committee collects, organizes and ensures the protection of archived church-related information of historical interest. Occasional articles of historical information are published in the church newsletter. Every other year, a “Memory” luncheon is conducted in the Spring where long time and interested members can share stories and/or memories about a specific topic. The goal of the Historical Committee is to follow the UUA guidelines to save a historical record of this church and other related historical information.

  • The Membership Committee welcomes new people to the church and to encourages them to join. This Committee has a visitor’s table in the foyer every Sunday for recognizing, greeting, and welcoming visitors. Additionally, the Committee hosts several Newcomers’ Circle meetings throughout the year for visitors and members to find out more about the church. Each spring, the Committee hosts a Newcomer’s Tea to officially welcome all who joined over the year. The goals of this Committee are to increase church membership and become a greater presence within the community.

  • The Music Committee supports the Director of Music regarding the Adult Choir and the Children’s Choir. The Committee oversees the music program for the church, and offers assistance to the Director as needed. The goal of the Music Committee is to continue support for the Director of Music and the musical program of the church. The Committee will aid in the recruitment and sustainability of both the Adult and Children’s Choir.

  • The Nominating Committee seeks out and recommends candidates for each open church board position annually. The Committee meets with and secures a commitment from a member, and then nominates that person for the Board position at our annual meeting. The goal of the Committee is to seek out and secure strong candidates for the Board positions to continue excellence in the governance of our church.

  • The Office Administration Committee provides support for the Office Administrator, evaluates new office procedures, equipment, and technology, and assists with office operations if necessary. The Newsletter Committee, Website Committee, and the Library are sub-committees under Office Administration.

  • The Outreach Committee coordinates and help fund church social justice and community service projects. The Committee has a long history of work involving racial justice, hunger, and housing with special emphasis in the local Detroit area. Outreach Subcommittee work includes Blood Drive (GPUC is a part of the Grosse Pointe Community Blood Council), Clark School Committee (tutorial services and other support to a school in Detroit), Crop Walk (a yearly fundraiser for Church World Services to fight hunger), Crossroads(food collections the first Sunday of the month), Ravendale, an inner-city job-training facility, and Habitat for Humanity (partnering with the Grosse Pointe chapter to build homes for those in need). The goals for the Outreach Committee are to provide viable choices for the energy of our church members regarding social justice and community service projects.

  • The Property Committee ensures the maintenance and repairs necessary for the church buildings. This includes the church itself, built in 1963, and the Olympia Brown Center, commonly known as The Annex. The Annex predates the church purchase of the property and was once used as a garage by the City of Grosse Pointe. It was rebuilt and renovated as a meeting hall, and includes a full kitchen as well as space for the church Resale Shop. The goals of the Property Committee are to maintain the property and to make necessary repairs as needed. Recent repair and maintenance projects include the renovation of the main ladies' room, the building of an ADA-compatible unisex restroom, the replacement of our 60-year old boilers with a state-of-the-art system, and a new Annex roof. Of long standing concern and attention has been the beautiful copper covered chapel spire and supporting wooden beams. A completely new copper roof was installed a few years ago, and the spire remains the focal point of our chapel and church building.

  • The Religious Education Committee provides direct, ongoing support to the Director of Religious Education as she implements and administers the program. The RE program provides the children of our church (pre-school through senior high) a community where they will feel loved, learn about the principles of their faith and be provided the opportunity for a spiritual journey through all their stages of child development. In addition, the RE Program seeks to provide our youth with a curriculum that will explore their Judeo-Christian heritage and allow them to study world religions and their traditions. Youth are given opportunities to promote social justice in their community and explore multiculturalism in our world. Moreover, the program offers the UUA sexuality education curriculum “Our Whole Lives”, and provides other opportunities to understand our sexuality, such as the GLBT workshop held this fall for both students and their parents. The Religious Education Committee is aware of the new UUA curriculum “Tapestry” and is exploring the possibility of implementing some of the lessons into the current curriculum. Our main goals for the coming year are to continue to support the Religious Education Director and the Religious Education Program and offer a warm, open program for families presently enrolled, while successfully engaging new families to join in this unique religious education opportunity. 

  • The Website Committee built and regularly maintains the GPUC web site. The committee uploads all pertinent church-related news, views and photos, providing a one-stop place for all things GPUC. The goal of the Committee is to keep the website current and relevant for curious visitors, potential members, and, of course, our own congregants. It should be considered one of the main marketing tools for membership growth and community presence. ___________________________________________________________________