We want to inform you of the duties of the Committee on Shared Ministry, also known as CoSM. Across UU congregations, such a team is a well-respected group helping to maintain congregational health and vitality. The USR Resource Book https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/1jsH_QCITlPXNAQOveggLJ8CWMCihqHIKrk4Mn7zkCxU/mobilebasic describes CoSM’s duties as follows:
The Committee on Shared Ministry (CoSM) is part of the Governance and Well-Being Circle, forming part of the foundation of our shared work. The CoSM’s work is threefold. The CoSM:
- provides a sounding board, offering critique, affirmation, questions, and guidance, to the minister
- assesses the work of the minister every 3-5 years per the letter of agreement and assesses the work of the congregation in other years
- works to ensure healthy communication across the congregation, providing a place for folks to bring comments, celebrations and concerns, as well as stepping in to assist with mediation and support when necessary
CoSM members are selected by the current Committee, and appointed by the Board for renewable one-year terms, with no term limits. Current members are Judd Seals, Kathy Smolen, Bea Cronin and Sally Lewis who work with the minister/sabbatical minister. Please feel free to speak to any of us about concerns.
