General Information about Committees and Groups
Our congregation includes standing committees, ongoing groups and teams formed around specific projects or interests, and other ongoing group activities. Most welcome anyone to attend their meetings, which are often held virtually, and join in the work that they do. Events they sponsor can be found in our Upcoming Events list. To learn more about a committee, team or group, use the contact information listed in the group's information, below; join the group for a meeting or event; or contact the Coordinating Council (
List of Current Committees and Groups
Accessibility Team
The Accessibility Team supports USNF's aim to make our building, services, and activities accessible to everyone, whatever their abiliies.
For more information: Accessibility Team
Contact:
Adult Choir
The choir rehearses on most Thursday evenings and sings approximately monthly at Sunday morning services.
For more information: Contact Ellen Cogen, our Music Director (
Board of Trustees (elected)
The Board of Trustees is the main governing body of the Society. It is made up of 9 members elected by the congregation; the minister serves ex-officio. Members hold staggered 3-year terms.
The President’s Team consists of the President, Vice President, and Past President, and can be contacted at
Boundless Way Zen Meditation
Boundless Way Zen Northampton meets weekly for Zen meditation practice in the Parlor of USNF. Meetings include a brief chanting service and two periods of Zen meditation (zazen) separated by a short period of walking meditation. Anyone is welcome to attend. There are no special requirements and no cost, although donations are gratefully accepted. More information can be found at the Northampton Zen website.
Climate Action Group (CAG)
The Climate Action Group (CAG) meets twice a month to decide what we will do as a group to reduce climate destroying activity. We often join with other congregations and local groups. Actions take many forms, including educating ourselves and our congregation, organizing and carrying out worship services and action campaigns for the congregation, speaking up, advocating for community and/or legislative changes, bearing witness to and illuminating destructive actions, and highlighting existing and envisioned positive paths forward for our community and/or the world. All are welcome to join this group.
For more information: Climate Action Group
Contact:
Coordinating Council
The Council is comprised of committee chairs or their representatives. All are welcome to attend its meetings, which are generally on the first Monday each month. The Council facilitates communication and cooperation among committees and helps oversee and coordinate the Society's social justice work. The Council supports the Society's mission by keeping abreast of its programs and addressing questions that arise in its operations. Council members provide support and advice for committees and provide a forum for discussion among lay leaders. The Council also advises trustees on plans, policies, and the annual budget.
Many groups and activities at USNF are involved in social justice work. For those projects that do not have a standing committee, the Coordinating Council serves as a hub. It also coordinates our Share the Plate program, selecting organizations from congregant suggestions to receive half of our Sunday collections.
For more information: Contact the Council (
Democracy Action Team
As UUs, we are called to stand firm in our values and principles to create the world we want to live in. UU values and principles lead us to support the democratic process in our congregations and in our broader society.
The mission of the Democracy Action Team (DAT) is to keep democracy alive in our country. We collaborate with dozens of other congregations under the “Democracy Leaders” umbrella of the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) and with many local congregations of other faiths. Our DAT has well over 200 members. Under the DAT, Action Groups focus on several specific areas, including immigrant justice, safety for trans persons, reproductive rights, and using media to build the pro-democracy movement. We welcome everyone’s participation.
To learn more, sign up for our weekly Action Update email, or join one of the Action Groups, email
For more information: USNF Democracy Action Team
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees on financial procedures and policies, including investment management, oversight of endowed funds, planned giving, and fund raising.
To learn more about USNF's finances or to join the Finance Committee, email
Hampshire County Interfaith Help Fund
This group works with other religious organizations to provide one-time emergency financial assistance to residents of Hampshire County who have exhausted their own resources. Donations are welcome and are tax deductible. To donate, press the green Donate button at the top of this page. Thank you!
Also, checks can be made out directly to Interfaith Help Fund. For more information or to seek assistance, email
House and Property Committee
The House and Property committee helps maintain our beautiful building and grounds. Members work with the custodian and Manager of Congregational Operations. Opportunities for involvement include serving on the committee, volunteering for spring and fall work parties, and other occasional tasks. The group meetings are held once a month to review ongoing projects and address immediate concerns and long range projects. This is an active committee with a wide range of service possibilities! New members are always welcome. Contact the office (
Interfaith Emergency Cot Shelter
This group provides volunteer assistance to the staff of the cot shelter. We organize teams to cook and serve food for about 24 people. The YRUU youth also serve on one team a month.
Newcomer Connections Team
Newcomer Connections provides information for newcomers as they take their first steps into church activity. The team also coordinates Sunday morning greeters and ushers, participates in membership classes, and offers several social events during the year. New members are always very welcome, especially those newer to USNF.
For more information: Newcomer Connections Team
Contact:
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is composed of elected members of the Society who work on developing a slate of people to be elected to leadership positions at our annual meeting. The process is confidential and is not open to non-members.
View job descriptions for the slate of elected positions.
For more information: Nominating Committee
Contact:
Pastoral Care Team
The Pastoral Care team connects volunteers to members and friends who may need help or a friendly visit. Anyone can volunteer to provide an occasional meal, ride, or other assistance to other members in need. If you need assistance or want to volunteer, contact the Pastoral Care Team, or call the office (413) 584-1390 and leave a message at extension 207.
Racial Justice Team
We work to support and strengthen the congregation’s commitment to racial justice. In the words of the 8th principle of the UUA, “We covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” We offer a variety of learning opportunities to meet people’s learning styles, and work with other congregations and groups with similar goals. We encourage ourselves and the congregation to face and challenge personal and institutional habits that perpetuate white supremacy, unconscious bias and systemic oppression.
For more information: Racial Justice Team
Contact:
Religious Education Council
The RE Council oversees the Religious Education program for children and youth from preschool through high school. In collaboration with the Director of Religious Education, the Council helps to select curricula; recruits, trains, and supports teachers; and plans special events for children and families.
Safe Relations Team
Our Safe Relations Team and security volunteers help fulfill our mission, especially to build a caring community where we can safely learn and grow. The Safe Relations Team anticipates risks like building security, fire, medical emergencies, intentional disruptions, and physical threats. The Safe Relations Team is available to help everyone feel safe, welcome and at home in our congregation. We encourage members and friends to contact us at
For more information: Safe Relations Team
Contact:
Small Group Circles (SGC)
Small Group Circles offer a wonderful opportunity for newcomers and USNF friends and members to get to know one another in a deeper way. The meetings are built around quotations and questions addressing a different topic each month and led by a fellow UU. Participants commit to once-a-month meetings, October through June. Sign up in September to be assured space. Two groups will meet in person at a facilitator's home and three will be held on Zoom. See days and times on the sign-up page
For more information: Small Group Circles
Small Group Circles Planning Team
The Small Group Circles Planning Team organizes the circles for the year and develops the monthly session guides. The Planning Team begins meeting in July and starts developing the monthly session guides. The team continues to meet throughout the year to work on the session guides and discuss the progress of the Small Group Circles. New members are invited to join the team at the start of the planning process in June/July.
For more information: Contact Katie Olmstead by email at
Social Media Team
Social media is an extension of our brick-and-mortar presence on Main St., Northampton, and furthers our mission of building "a caring community where children and adults can safely learn and grow – where we are supported and challenged on life's journeys, called to service and to our higher selves, and inspired to better our world." Our social media team keeps our social media presence accurate and up-to-date, relevant to the Society's work, consistent with its values, and informative both to the membership and to the outside world.
For more information: Social Media Team
Contact:
Stewardship Committee
Our Stewardship team focuses on making sure we have the financial resources we need. The Committee meets from September to May, with an essential part of the group's work focusing on the annual pledge drive.
For more information: Stewardship
Contact:
Sunday Service Helpers
Service helpers greet people, light the chalice at service, collect the offering, and contribute to the Sunday service in various other ways. It takes a community to put on a Sunday service and all members and friends can be a part of it! For more info and to sign up, view the Sunday Jobs page.
Transylvania Partner Church Committee
The Partner Church Committee maintains the Society's partnership with the Unitarian Church of Homoródkarácsonyfalva in Transylvania. Its activities include educating the congregation about our Transylvania connections, sending gifts and letters, raising funds to assist our Partner Church, and sponsoring visits.
For more information: contact
Web Committee
The Web Committee maintains the Society's website and works in coordination with the office, as well as other committees and groups. All levels of skill are welcome — it just takes a desire to learn and participate.
For more information: Web Committee
Contact:
Worship Committee
The Worship Committee works with the minister and is responsible for the Society's lay-led worship services. New members are always welcome.
For more information: contact
Youth Group
Our highly valued Youth Group is for high school aged youth. It is part of our Religious Education program. For more information, visit our Youth Group page or contact our Youth and Young Adult Coordinator (