See calendars at left or call the church office for more information on how to become involved.
More than 100 people are needed throughout the year as church school teachers, youth advisors, greeters and helpers with special youth activities. There is a lot of support for each of these jobs, and you are paired with at least one other person. Time commitment varies depending on you and the job you choose.
Two or three Saturdays a year the Facilities Committee schedules a day for volunteers to come with tools and energy to plant, paint, clean, and repair. If you have expertise, or just plain enthusiasm, you are encouraged to participate.
Green Sanctuary is a program that guides the congregation to show its respect for the environment by the way we live our lives, conduct the church's daily operations and maintain the physical environment. Learn more. Capek Woods project.
Twice a year (October and May) BUC members and friends work together on our biggest fund raiser. You can spend an hour or a week helping carry, sort, price, sell and clean up. We need approximately 200 volunteers to make each of the sales successful.
There are many small jobs that can help our office staff---rolling coins, duplicating, stuffing envelopes, answering phones, etc. Also, a regular group of people helps on Tuesday afternoons to prepare newsletters for mailling. Call or drop by when you have time.
Caring individuals within our community can reach out to help others in case of need, such as a visit, caretaker respite, transportation, or a meal. Please let the minister know if you are available to help. Likewise, if you need some assistance, let him know.
This group works to establish a caring environment at BUC by offering suppport and assistance to church members and friends in times of illness, loss or special need. Periodic training programs, conducted by the minister, enable new people to join the group. Please let him know of your interest.
This group provides support for bereaved families within the church community by assisting with receptions following memorial services or in other ways requested by the family. Additional volunteers are welcome. If you need memorial service support, call the church office, and they will connect you with a member of the committee.
Our greeters are in the foyer Sunday mornings prior to each service helping make BUC a more welcoming church. This is a service you can be a part of whether you are a long-time regular or a relative newcomer.
Two or three ushers work during each Sunday service. Their job includes arriving 20 minutes early to greet people and hand out the orders of service, then collect the offering and count people attending and money. This is an easy way to offer service and get to know other BUCers. New ushers are paired with an experienced usher.
Each Sunday six people (three each service) serve coffee and put used cups in the dishwasher. This is a great way to meet new people and become involved.
Arrange a date to donate flowers for our sanctuary, perhaps in memory of someone or in celebration of a special occasion.
This group adds ambiance with flower arrangements on the coffee service table and around the church.
This group works to educate our membership on anti-racism and offers opportunities to work for social and racial justice. Some objectives include supporting the BUC/1st UU Detroit Church Coalition, offering anti-racism training, and supporting BUC youth on social justice projects.
Members of BUC are making a difference in the community through a partnership with this Pontiac school by donating books, backpacks, school supplies, musical instruments, and volunteer time. Work is needed cataloging books, tutoring, reading to students, and participating in Adopt-a Family and Big Brother/Big Sister programs.
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is the arm of our denomination which promotes peace, justice, and respect for human rights with programs aimed at helping people throughout the world gain self-reliance and dignity. BUC supports UUSC through "Guest at Your Table" collections and holiday card sales. Individual BUCers also often support this organization. www.uusc.org
BUC is part of this interfaith group dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Detroit metro area by working on projects such as regional mass transit.
BUC contributes to this cooperative effort of area congregations which helps people in our community with emergency needs, such as rent, utilities, transportation, and food. It is housed in the First Baptist Church of Birmingham and staffed by volunteers from member congregations.
BUCers can put their beliefs into action through hands-on involvement in community service projects, such as the ones below.
One week each fall BUC hosts SOS. It takes nearly 150 volunteers to plan and provide meals, shelter, transportation, and laundry for up to 30 guests per night. There are many ways to help.
BUCers gather periodically to assist in this worthwhile project, which helps renovate and/or build new houses for those who otherwise could not afford to own their own homes.
You are invited to donate non-perishable food item and toiletries to the trunk in the BUC foyer. It is regularly delivered to the Pontiac Lighthouse food pantry by BUC volunteers. During the holiday season BUC also collects new toys, clothes, household items, and toiletries.
You can help improve the living environment in Detroit neighborhoods through tree planting and schoolyard improvement projects.
Governing Groups and Committees
If you have enjoyed any of our activities, please consider joining one of these groups which work behind the scenes to make them happen. The first three are elected by the congregation, while the rest are open for volunteers.
This elected group meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m.. Meetings are open to any interested BUCer. If you would like to bring an issue before the Board, please contact the president at least a week before the meeting so that it can be placed on the agenda.
The ACC is an elected group of representatives from each of the major focus areas of the church. Meeting the 2nd Monday of the month, the Council coordinates and oversees church programs under the guidance of the minister.
This group, elected at the annual congregational meeting, identifies church leaders and presents a slate of officers, trustees, and council representatives to the congregation at the following annual meeting.
In cooperation with the RE staff, this group is responsible for the philosophy, curriculum choice, and administration of the religious education program from nursery through high school. The directors and members work together to recruit and train teachers and advisors and evaluate the program to ensure that the needs of the children and parents are being met
Plate Collection Committee of the Service and Social Justice Cluster exists to engage the BUC community in social outreach programs through designation of the Sunday plate collection to local social service organizations; national or international service organizations will be considered as need determines. The Plate Collection Committee has sole authority to determine grants on behalf of the congregation. Application for plate collection funds can be found under Church Business --- Common Grant Application
In cooperation with the Adult RE coordinator, this group plans class offerings for adults at BUC.
This group, made up of our professional music staff and members of the congregation, helps develop and direct BUC's music program. It works to improve the integration of music with the worship experience, strengthen musical opportunities for children and youth, provide support for congregational hymn singing, and share our musical life with the larger community through special programs.
This group has developed guidelines, raised funds, planned and brought to fruition our lovely Capek Memorial Glen at the west end of our property, which provides a dignified place for the remembrance of BUCers and their families. The committee continues to care for the glen and has established an endowment for its perpetual maintenance.
This group is concerned with issues related to our denomination and events sponsored by them. It disseminates information and selects delegates for our annual district conference and General Assemby of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
This group works to make newcomers feel welcome and ease their integration into our church community. It also works to help keep our current members involved in various activities.
This committee meets year-round to organize and oversee the annual pledge canvass.
This group manages our endowment funds, created for the long-term financial security of the church. In addition to our general Endowment fund, we have two funds which provide for the long-term music enrichment and maintenance of the Memorial Glen.
This group arranges for the rotating art displays which grace our church. Often this is the work of BUC artists. The group also arranges occasional artists' receptions.
This group meets periodically to assess facility needs, research costs, set priorities, manage the facilities accounts, and organize volunteer work days. Members often supply their own skills and elbow grease to improve and maintain the appearance of our church.
This group works to promote community awareness of BUC by writing and sending press releases on church activities and events. If you know of an up-coming event that might be newsworthy, please let one of the people on this committee know. If you want to write your own release, please get guidelines from the publicity box in the office.
The webmaster develops and maintains BUC's web site to promote BUC's objectives and activities to members, friends and the public at large. Members who want to feature an event or activity on the web site should contact the webmaster directly: webmaster@bucmi.org