Second Unitarian Church of Omaha
Committees and Groups
Adult Spiritual Education
The committee is responsible for coordinating programs that address adult spiritual growth and religious education. This includes programs for First Hour, short-term classes, ongoing groups, and retreats. The committee works in coordination with the Minister and other committees. The committee solicits input and feedback from the congregation at large on a regular basis to inform program development.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Anita Jeck, Chair
572-7520

Board of Trustees (web page)
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the church consisting of eight members elected for three-year terms by the church membership. The Bylaws were changed May 20, 2007 changing the term length from 2 to 3 years. Therefore, there is a transition period with some Board members still serving two-year terms.

The Board meets monthly on the second Thursday at 7:00 PM at church, and all members are welcome to attend.

Trustees with terms expiring in May 2009:

  • Nancy Amsler - nancita5@cox.net
  • Louisa Foster - catchlouisa@cox.net
  • Tammy Hunter - tkghunter@gmail.com
  • Bill Woodhams, Chair - wgwoodhams@cox.net

Trustees with terms expiring in May 2010:

  • Sue Aschinger - saschinger@cox.net
  • Marilyn Krabbe - marilyn3492@yahoo.com

Trustees with terms expiring in May 2011:

  • Carol Johnson, Vice-Chair - dcjohn1@radiks.net
  • Tom Peterson, Secretary - tpeterson@alltel.net

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Bill Woodhams
(402) 331-1359

Building and Grounds (web page)
The committee is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all interior and exterior physical property of the church. Specific duties include:

a) Maintaining a current inventory of church equipment and property.

b) Advising the Board of necessary repairs to church facilities.

c) Anticipating future maintenance requirements, and that budget requests account for operating expenses for the physical plant.

d) Aesthetics of the church is a joint responsibility of Music & Worship and the Building and Grounds Committee.

e) Take a leading role in planning and implementing facility expansion and improvement projects.

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Clyde Anderson
932-7225 (H) 740-5556 (cell)

Caring (web page)
The committee’s mission is to build a caring community that will help and support each of our members as we experience the events, stages and transitions of life.

The committee, in cooperation with the Minister, is responsible for ensuring that the following functions are carried out. The Caring Committee assumes full responsibility for these functions when a Minister is not present:

a) Sending cards for births, deaths, illnesses and announcing that information in church.

b) Visiting hospitalized and homebound church members and sending flowers when appropriate.

c) Coordinating transportation for members in need to and from church for services and special events. The committee reserves the right to restrict whom it assists based on the committee’s Transportation Guidelines.

d) Assisting with memorial and funeral services and the receptions that follow.

e) Providing and soliciting assistance for members in need.

f) Sponsoring programs to address pastoral care needs.

g) Maintaining a list of volunteers.

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Dodie Robison, Chair
333-8346

Choir (web page)
Music has always been an integral part of Second Unitarian's Sunday church services. As part of our music program, we have a choir open to anyone ages 13 to Adult. We sing one Sunday per month. Rehearsals are the Friday preceding the performance from 6:30 – 7:30 pm and the Sunday of the performance from 9 – 10:15 am. No rehearsals are held during the summer months. Come join us as we each explore our own spiritual paths through music!Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Mark Dickmeyer

Committee on Ministry
The Mission of the Committee on Ministry is to monitor, support, and strengthen the work of shared ministry within the congregation in pursuit of our common vision and congregational mission. Specific duties include:

a) Educate itself about ministry.

b) Foster a culture of shared ministry within the congregation through education in the form of articles, special events, meetings with committees and groups, and individual conversations.

c) Monitor all forms of shared ministry, lay and clergy, within the congregation.

d) Periodically access the quality and progress of shared ministry provided by the committees, groups, staff, and Minister.

e) Provide consultation and non-anonymous feedback to the Minister, including developing and monitoring progress on goals for the ministry.

f) Develop and encourage direct and responsible communication among the congregation and the Minister.

g) Mediate discussions and/or conflicts with the Minister and the congregation while maintaining an atmosphere of openness and honesty.

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Gwen Eurich
331-9575

Nancy VanderSluis
397-0759

Rick Bell
697-9082

Denominational Connection
The Denominational Connection Committee keeps the congregation informed about regional (Prairie Star District) and national (Unitarian Universalist Assn.) activities. The committee encourages church members to attend PSD workshops and meetings, the national UUA General Assembly, and the UU Midwest Leadership School held each summer at Beloit College in Beliot, WI.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Fellowship (web page)
The Mission of the Fellowship Committee is to enhance the vision of the Second Unitarian Church by providing a ministry of welcome and celebration.

The committee is responsible for providing for the fellowship hour following the church service and coordinating fellowship events for the congregation. Specific duties include:

a) Providing beverages, snacks, and supplies for the Fellowship Hour that follows Sunday service.

b) Greeting and conversing with visitors during the fellowship hour.

c) Sponsoring and/or coordinating fellowship events such as ice cream social and Sing for your Supper.

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Laura Neece-Baltaro
827-7080

Finance
The mission of the Finance Committee is to oversee the fiscal health of the church and to marshal the financial resouces to further its mission.We oversee the annual pledge drive, prepare the annual budget, and advise the church on investment issues, endowment concerns, and other financial issues.We meet on the second Thursday of every month at the church.

Approved Budget for 2008-2009

Click here to see photos by Rick Bell of the Mardis Gras Stewardship Kickoff event at church Saturday, March 1st.

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Stu Burns
201-7066

Fundraising Task Force
The Fundraising Committee is responsible for church-wide fundraising events. A Chair is usually appointed for each fundraising event.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Sue Aschinger, Liaison
393-3946

Library (web page)
The mission of the Library Committee is to acquire and provide resources for committees, for programs, and for members and friends in order to support them in their search for truth and meaning. Specific duties include:

a) Research, evaluate, and order books based on the mission statement

b) Maintain a shelf list.

c) Maintains the book shelves.

d) Checks books out and in.

e) Responsible for the Macyl Boruff fund.

f) Provide repository for educational materials used by other committees.

g) Be a clearinghouse for used and recycled books.

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Harry Wilkins-Book Sale Chair
991-8716

Gwen Eurich, Chair
331-9575

Long Range Plan
This committee is responsible for preparing a long range plan for the congregation about every 5 years. It is also responsible to review and update the plan as necessary.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Inactive

Membership
The Membership Committee welcomes visitors & provides them with information about our faith and our church. We honor new members and help them to become active participants in Second Unitarian's Church Community. We meet at 12 noon the first Sunday of every month in the Junior High Room of the church. Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Cheri Cody
330-2443

Ministerial Salary Review
The MSC meets annually with the Minister to review and recommend adjustments to the Minister's compensation. Members of the Committee include a Chair of a Standing Committee, the Board Chair, and a member of the Ministerial Relations Committee.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Bill Woodhams, Liaison
331-1359

Ministry for Earth (web page)
The committee’s mission is to serve as a resource for the promotion of “green” activities and projects. Goals are closely aligned with materials provided by the Seventh Principle Project of the saving natural resources, saving church expenses, promoting sustainable living, worship service and religious education programs, and promoting economic and environmental justice. The committee is the contact point with the national UU Ministry for Earth program. The Ministry for Earth Committee is an umbrella committee whose membership consists of liaisons to other existing committees; activities fulfill requirements for achieving recognition as a Green Sanctuary church.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]


Music and Worship
The Mission of the Music and Worship Committee is to promote the celebration of life through worship, music and aesthetics in our religious community. This committee is responsible for Sunday sermons for those weeks that the minister is not on the pulpit including the months of July and August. Music & Worship also arranges for the music each Sunday. Church aesthetics is the joint responsibility of Music & Worship and Building & Grounds.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Deb Gibson

Nominations & Leadership Development
The Nominations Committee is charged with seeking candidates to run for election for the Board of Trustees and for vacant positions on the Nominations Committee.

Nominations Committee presents candidates for 2008-2009

Board Nominees:

  • Sue Aschinger - 2 year term

  • Marilyn Krabbe - 2 year term

  • Carol Johnson - 3 year term

  • Tom Peterson - 3 year term

    Nominations Committee:

  • Janet Nichols - 2 year term

  • Stephanie Peterson - 3 year term

    Endowment Committee:

  • Marcia Leise - 3 year term

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Stephanie Peterson
391-0068

Personnel (web page)
The purpose of the Personnel Committee is to represent the Congregation and advise the Minister and Staff on important personnel issues. Rev. Josh Snyder chairs this committee.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Chris Peters

Religious Growth & Learning (web page)
The committee’s mission is to encourage the learning and living of our Unitarian Universalist principles. We strive to provide a spiritual, accepting, and caring environment where we explore religious ideas together.

a) Provide religious celebration for children and youth by conducting RE Committee events

b) Provide support to the Director of Religious Education in the planning and implementation of the Children’s Religious Education program

c) Provide summer RE program (June – Aug) including selecting the curricula and recruiting volunteers.

d) Provide vision for the Religious Education program

e) Provide coverage on Sunday mornings when the DRE is off

f) Provide assistance to the DRE and RE Chair

g) Volunteer in the RE program

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Gay Abraham
391-5411

Pam Curtis Smith
445-0429

Second Showing
Second Showing is a venue for friends and members of the church to display their visual arts. Each month, a featured artist will have their works displayed at the back of the sanctuary for all to see. Contact the committee if you or someone you know are interested in having your works exhibited.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Vija Kopecky
334-9155

Betty Segell
496-2193

Site and Architect Search Committee (SASC)
In November 2006 the Congregation authorized the Board to appoint a Site and Architect Search Committee (SASC) with the following goals and responsibilities:

1. Hire an architect to assist in meeting our long-term facility needs either on-site or elsewhere.

2. Evaluate options for expanding on-site to meet the long-term needs of the church.

3. Visit UU churches in the region that have recently expanded their facilities.

4. Evaluate potential properties for expanding off-site.

5. If the SASC finds a property that meets the needs identified by the BNAC, sign a conditional purchase and sale agreement.

6. The SASC will provide a status report to the Congregation

7. The life of the SASC could be 18 months or longer if the committee determines it isn’t feasible to meet our long-term facility needs on the existing site and a suitable site elsewhere can’t be found.

Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

Cheri Cody
330-2443

Social Justice Coordinating Council (web page)
Justice issues are overseen by the Social Justice Coordinating Council and carried out by Action Groups that have been formed around the priorities of Second Unitarian Church:

  • Become a beacon to the GLBT community

  • Care for our environment

  • Close the economic gap in Omaha

    Action Groups develop plans around one of the priorities listed above and carry out those plans. Members and friends participate in any of the groups for which they feel passion or commitment. Action groups typically meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month throughout the church year and may meet or sponsor activities between meeting dates.

    Our Church supports the UUA call for congregations to become part of the Congregation-Based Community Organizing (CBCO) effort. Second Unitarian is a member of Omaha Together One Community (OTOC), which is an interfaith community organizing effort in the city of Omaha. OTOC has a number of events throughout the year such as house meetings, research actions, and leadership training. Community organizing is one of the most effective ways in which our Church makes a difference for the better in the Omaha community. Link to OTOC web site

    The Social Justice Coordinating Council normally meets at Church on the first Wednesday evening of the month from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The Action Groups normally meet on the third Sunday of the month after church from Noon to 2:00pm except December. Visitors are always welcome to participate!

  • Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

    Shari Busse
    537-0237

    Bill Kuhn
    734-4611

    Technology
    The Technology Committee enables the mission of the church by acquiring or recommending, monitoring, maintaining and recycling computers and other technology related hardware and software. It also maintains and updates the church's web site. The committee may assist other committees and church staff with technology related issues such as the phone system, copy machine, and sound system.

    Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

    Clyde Anderson

    Bill Hay

    Bill Kuhn

    Tom Peterson
    672-1324

    Don Shennum, Chair

    Treasurer
    The Treasurer is appointed by the Board of Trustees annually. The Treasurer receives and disburses all church funds in accordance with the annual budget and as directed by the Board of Trustees. Accounting is open to inspection by any Member. The Treasurer presents financial reports to the Board of Trustees, to the Finance committee, and at the annual meeting.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

    Pat Caffrey
    321-9668

    Welcoming Congregation (web page)
    The Welcoming Congregation Committee works to promote GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) involvement and membership in our church through outreach opportunities with the GLBT community in our city. We encourage the acceptance, affirmation, and understanding of GLBT issues through education and personal contact with members of the GLBT community as we are an advocate for the civil rights of this community.Contact: [ Committee Mailbox ]

    Morgan Watters
    740-8432


    3012 South 119th St. |  Omaha, NE 68144 |  (402) 334-0537 |  info@secondunitarianomaha.org