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Committees
Joining a committee is a great way to deepen your involvement with The First Church in Belmont. Committees make everything we do at First Church possible. They are made up of members of the congregation and are open to anyone who would like to contribute. If you're interested in learning more or getting connected, you may reach out to any committee chair using the email listed or by contacting the Welcoming Coordinator, Alex Andrews, at aadndrews@uuubelmont.org.
Four of our committees––the Parish Board, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, and Committee on Ministry––are concerned with the governance of the congregation. As such, they are directly elected by the congregation at the annual meeting each year. If you are interested in joining one of these group, please contact the Nominating Committee at nominating@uubelmont.org.
Adult Programs Comittee
Karen Brennan
Program
The Adult Programs Committee (APC) works with First Church staff and congregants to develop and host programs for members, friends, and the larger community. We strive to meet the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional needs of our congregation with a variety of both ongoing and one-time events. If you are interested in learning more, please contact the APC Chair, Karen Brennan.
Committee on Ministry
Nelina Backman
Administrative - Elected
The Committee on Ministry (CoM) gathers and communicates feedback from congregants and committees to the Senior Minister and Parish Board. CoM members initiate and are continuously available for one-on-one conversations with congregants; facilitate occasional group feedback events; and, every few years, administer a congregation-wide survey. The CoM provides an annual report to the Senior Minister, Parish Board, and congregation regarding the condition of the church's ministries and collaborates with the Parish Board President on the annual evaluation of the Senior Minister.
Committee on Ministry
Christine Dunn
Administrative - Open
The Community Care Team works with and supports the senior minister’s pastoral ministry in reaching out to all members and friends of The First Church in Belmont. We support those who are adjusting to change, loss, illness, or death. We share moments of celebration and happiness. We reach out to those who are unable to get out and who would like a visit. We share in situations that require a special touch of human kindness and an open ear.
Learn more about our Pastoral Care program at https://www.uubelmont.org/pastoral-care
FCB Green Committee
Bayard Klimasmith
Program
The FCB Green Committee exists to promote the 7th UU Principle: “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” We implement sustainability initiatives within our church, educate parishioners to help them make informed decisions about environmental issues, promote environmental action beyond our church, and organize our Earth Day services. Please reach out for more information or to join our efforts!
Fellowship Committee
Laurie Graham
Program
The Fellowship Committee plans multigenerational gatherings that bring together children, teens, adults, and families throughout the First Church community. Through events such as dances, potluck meals, craft activities, game nights, circle dinners, and the annual year-end picnic, the committee creates inclusive opportunities for people of all ages to have fun, connect, and get to know one another beyond Sunday mornings. The committee generally aims to offer one event each month, depending on available space, volunteers, and resources. The committee meets monthly, generally on the first Tuesday of each month during the church year. New members are welcome to help plan and assist at events as well as to suggest new opportunities for engagement and connection.
Finance Committee
Lauren Corning
Administrative - Elected
The Finance Committee is focused on the financial health of the church and advises the Parish Board on the generation of revenue and the expenditure of monies. We are responsible for developing an annual budget and reviewing decisions that will impact the church's finances. We work with the Investment Committee to review the performance and investment guidelines of the endowment and report to the church membership on financial activities. In addition, we conduct longer-term, multi-year financial planning exercises to ensure the financial health of the church. The Finance Committee generally meets monthly for 60-90 minutes.
Human Resources Committee
Donna Ruvolo
Administrative - Elected
The Human Resources Committee reviews and makes recommendations on employee compensation, benefits, training, new staff positions/expanded staff hours and departmental balance, and new technologies in HR management. The Committee also supports managers in specific areas of employee oversight when requested. The Committee officially updated its name from the Compensation Committee in 2025 to reflect its broader scope of responsibilities.
It is the goal of the Committee to help create a work environment for the staff that aligns with our UU values. We meet once a month (currently the second Tuesday of the month, via Zoom), and potentially more often when necessary (particularly in the spring during budget preparation). The work of the Committee is strictly confidential. Please contact us for more information or to express interest in joining.
Committee on Ministry
Gina Carloni
Program
To explore and develop an understanding of the First Church in Belmont’s ties to slavery during the nineteenth century through the substantial benefactions of the Atkins family. To research other similarly situated organizations (e.g., churches, schools, and universities) to learn how they’ve developed awareness of their historical ties to slavery and what formal steps they’ve contemplated or taken in response. To share our findings with the congregation and promote awareness and inclusion.
Lifespan Learning Committee
Abby Donner
Program
The Lifespan Religious Exploration Committee is dedicated to nurturing the spiritual and moral growth of children and youth within our community, from nursery through high school. We create inclusive and engaging programs that reflect our principles of compassion, justice, and interconnection while fostering a sense of belonging among young people and their families. By ensuring a diverse curriculum, providing resources for family involvement, and creating safe spaces for exploration, we empower the next generation to develop their beliefs and values in a supportive environment. Additionally, we recruit and train dedicated volunteers to lead our programs with compassion and integrity, without whom our programming would not be possible.
Membership Database Committee
Lauren Crocker, Miriam Baker
Administrative - Open
The Membership Database Committee facilitates the use and maintenance of the church’s Membership Database, where we track contact information and other valuable attributes for everyone who engages in our church community. We help promote use of the database by staff and committees for efforts such as event registration, stewardship, and outreach. We are welcoming new volunteers to this committee; useful skills include comfort with online tools, facility with explaining technology to others, familiarity with databases or software, knowing your way around Excel and Word, and/or simple enthusiasm to learn and help. We meet once a month, on a weekday evening, for an hour on Zoom.
Music Committee
Jon Svetkey
Program
The Music Committee is dedicated to enriching our community through musical events and activities. We enhance our programming by overseeing ticket sales and check-in, supporting the children’s fall musical, and facilitating all-around FCB efforts, including library organization and special service setup. Our members utilize their skills in event coordination, costume organizing, set construction, and hospitality to create memorable experiences for everyone involved. The Music Committee also assists the Director of Music in financial and policy matters relating to the program.
Nominating Committee
Sam James
Administrative - Elected
The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and recommending candidates for the Parish Board, Finance Committee, Committee on Ministry, and the Nominating Committee. Prospective candidates are interviewed to assess their interest, qualifications, experience, and understanding of the committee they are being considered for. Recommended candidates are then presented to the congregation at the Annual Meeting for approval.
The Nominating Committee meets monthly to review the staffing needs of each committee, identify and recruit potential candidates, and help ensure that all four committees have the members needed to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
If you are interested in serving on the Parish Board, Finance Committee, Committee on Ministry, or the Nominating Committee, please contact us.
Parish Board
Bruce Kozuma
Administrative - Elected
The Parish Board is the governing body of the church. Parish Board members and officers are elected each year at the Annual Meeting as a slate of candidates proposed by the Nominating Committee. The Parish Board members are responsible for overseeing general operations, including programs, fiscal oversight, and the ultimate decision-making for staffing.
Partner Church Committee
Michael Griffin, John Kolterman
Program
The Partner Church Committee exists to nurture and sustain a living covenantal
relationship between our congregation in Belmont, Massachusetts and our partner
church in Désfalva, Transylvania—the historic cradle of the Unitarian faith and a
birthplace of religious freedom. Grounded in our shared Unitarian values and heritage,
we seek to strengthen bonds of friendship, faith, and mutual understanding through
ongoing communication, shared worship, pilgrimages, and personal connections that
deepen spiritual and cultural ties across generations.
The Committee advances this mission by supporting collaborative initiatives that
respond to the needs and aspirations of our partner congregations, including
educational scholarships for Désfalva students, community assistance, and joint visits
and projects that foster long-term stability and shared spiritual growth. Through
fundraising, relationship-building, and congregational engagement, we strive to keep
this enduring partnership vibrant—honoring our roots while strengthening our ties for the
future.
Property Care Committee
Bob Corning
Administrative - Open
The Property Care Committee is responsible for the oversight, maintenance, and upkeep of the Church buildings and grounds. Along with First Church staff, we work to ensure that the property remains in good working order and is able to meet the needs and mission of the community. We also maintain a running list of potential capital projects that support asset preservation, church image and character, and existing and new programming. We solicit input from staff, committees, and other church users and compile a prioritized list of projects that we present to the Finance Committee and Parish Board annually for approval.
Social Action Committee
Laura Vail Wooster
Program
The Social Action Committee is dedicated to promoting social justice within our local community and in the broader world. We support the various social action initiatives of the church by organizing events and providing communications, publicity, and funding. We also assist with launching new initiatives each year. The activities and programs of the various social action initiatives during the church year include:
UU the Vote
Legacy of Slavery
Migrant/Refugee Support
FCB Green
Belmont Serves (partner)
Holiday Fair
Friday night stand-outs
Community Fridge
Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (partner)
LGBTQ Alliance (partner)
Bristol Lodge - Donations
Grow Clinic - Donations
We meet monthly on the third Monday of the month, typically over Zoom, at 7 pm. Please reach out for more information or to join our efforts!
Stewardship Committee
Marion Westgate
Administrative - Open
The Stewardship team organizes and implements the annual pledge drive, finding new and creative ways to build on First Church’s stewardship program.
In addition to Marion as chair, members of the committee include Zach Collins, Laura Miyakawa, Danielle Parrington, and Martha Spaulding. Please feel free to speak with any of us with questions about the stewardship drive.
Worship Committee
Leslie Talmadge
Program
The Worship Committee collaborates with the worship staff in creating and offering engaging, dynamic,
meaningful, high-quality, and consistent worship for FCB. We meet once a month and organize three worship services each year. If interested in joining the committee, please contact Rev. Chris at cjablonski@uubelmont.org.
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