First Unitarian Church of Oakland

685 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 893-6129
Councils

Church leadership includes the Convenors of the five Councils (listed below) and the Convenor of the Council of Convenors (Molly Hermes).

Community Life Council, Convenor: Temporarily vacant

The Community Life Council builds and enhances community. The council sponsors a number of annual events to accomplish this goal, including a Halloween party, Seder dinner, community retreat, an intergenerational program called Secret Buddies, Labor Day picnic, potlucks, and more.

Justice Council, Convenor: Emily Stoper

Develops church policy with respect to justice activities, approves projects and training budgets. Co-ordinates activities with other church ministries such as worship, community life and religious education. The council is comprised of representatives from other groups in the church that have a stake in justice activities. Read about the many activities of the Justice Council.


Lifespan Education and Programs (LEAP), Convenor: Darlene Pagano

This council works with the Education Minister to develop educational opportunities for children,for adults, and for children and adults together. Check here for more on children's religious education.


Membership, Convenor: Renee Harper

The Membership Council reaches out to the wider community, welcoming both newcomers and regulars to the church each Sunday. The council also guides newcomers on the path to membership, participates in Ingathering ceremonies and hosts Ingathering luncheons, assists new members in finding their roles in the church, maintains a bookstore open on Sunday mornings, and encourages and supports all members in their shared ministry, especially the church leaders. The Council is organized in teams: Outreach, Ushers, Hospitality (greeting newcomers on the plaza), Welcome Table, Book Table, Newcomer Orientation and Ingathering, Membership Engagement (including the Inreach Interviewing Team), Leadership Development (which organizes the annual Leadership Retreat), and Volunteer Coordination. The Membership Council is deeply committed to growing the church, to deepening the experience of membership, and to enhancing the church’s shared ministry. Learn how to become a member or how to become involved with the membership council.


Worship, Convenor: Kristen Montan

The charge of the Worship Council is to ensure a high standard of worship for Sunday morning services, vesper services and all other worship services of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. In light of the church mission and the Worship Council Charge, the Council will:

  • Ensure quality of the worship experience by teaching UU history, values, identity and traditions, and by raising the ethical, religious, and spiritual questions in worship.
  • Create an open space for the exploration of current issues as they relate to maters of the heart and sprit.
  • Ensure diversity in worship through a wide variety of musical, theological and thematic materials.
  • Respond to the current life and evolution of our community within and beyond our walls.
  • Welcome and encourage diverse ideas, beliefs and practices.
  • Encourage personal transformation and spiritual growth.
  • Work in cooperation with the clergy to coordinate Sunday worship and other services.
  • Coordinate and lead services as needed in the absence of the clergy.
  • Monitor all worship-related groups in the church.
  • Ensure the sanctuary is decorated appropriately for special services such as the December holidays, Thanksgiving, Easter and the Day of the Dead.
  • Provide training and opportunities for lay members to craft and present worship.
  • Create a conduit for sharing of information pertinent to our community and religious association
  • Draft an annual Worship Council budget that considers the needs of the Council and overall program needs of the church.

The Worship Council includes the following members: Worship Council Convenor, Congregational Minister, Education Minister, Director of Music Ministry, Music Committee Chair and Worship Associate Co-Cordinators. Learn more about our Music programs or the Worship Associate program.