Congregational Life
Congregational Vitality Committees
We are an active congregation, whose call to be Christ’s church is answered through the diverse gifts and passions of our members. We have long standing commitments to ministries of worship, faith formation, mission and outreach, congregational care, and stewardship of our resources and building. Yet we continually evolve to meet those commitments in ways that are relevant to our time and meaningful to our members. God is always doing something new among us!
There are many ways to participate, and with the exception of the Church Council and the Endowment Committees (elected offices), we invite you to pursue your interest in serving on any of the teams and committees listed below. Please contact the church office to be connected to committee chairs who can provide more information and scheduled meeting times.
Stewardship/ Membership
We reach out in faith and love knowing that our resources are from God, and give back to the church in our love for God. The Stewardship/ Membership Committee provides opportunities for people to support our church's ministries with gifts of their money, talents and participation.
Pastoral Relations
The Pastoral Relations Committee supports and maintains an open relationship between the ordained minister and members of the congregation. It helps the Pastor and members of the church share ideas, hopes, dreams and interpretations of mission.
Interior Design
The purpose of this committee is to create interior spaces that are functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials that flow well with the rest of our building.
Mission & Outreach
This team is responsible for supporting our mission projects, community outreach and special offerings.
Christian Education Team
The Christian Education program provides opportunities for our children and youth to explore their Christian faith, deepen their relationship with God and relate their faith to today's world.
First UCC Guild
The purpose of the Guild is to unite the congregation by offering programs of fellowship and services to members within the church. The Guild is an active and essential arm of the church. This group meets on a quarterly basis and always welcomes members of the congregation who are interested in their work.
Worship, Music and Art
Central to the life of our church is the opportunity to gather for worship to offer praise, prayers, and listen for God’s still-speaking word for our common life. The Worship, Music and Art Committee meets to plan seasonal worship that is creatively enhanced by a diversity of music, visual, and liturgical expressions to meet people where they are, nourish spirits, and inspire faith.
Growing with Generosity
We are a generous congregation, inviting all to give as we are able to support the ministries and mission of our church. Gifts are gratefully received through yearly financial pledges and offerings to support our general fund. Our finance committee, church council, treasurer and financial secretary oversee the annual budget to ensure that our resources are faithfully stewarded.
Our Endowment Fund enhances our mission and outreach above and beyond the normal scope of our operating budget. The Fund is grown through the receipt of donations, gifts, and bequests. Each year the earnings are donated based on categories established by the Endowment Bylaws. The principal is not spent.
Memorials can be made in honor or memory of loved ones. These gifts can be designated for a specific purpose or used for church enhancements as determined by the Memorial Committee. For example, memorials were used to create the Prayer Garden, purchase the baby grand piano, and renovate our Sunday School classrooms.
First UCC engages in various fundraising activities which offer opportunities for fellowship among our members and hospitality to our community. In the past these have included an Annual Church Dinner, a Tailgate-to-Go, the Community Garage Sale, and the sale of car wash cards.
Please see Mission and Outreach for the special offerings and missions that our congregation generously supports.
Administrative Teams
Finance/ Budget/ Personnel
This committee is responsible for overseeing the finances and stewardship of our church.
Counting Team
This team is responsible for counting and recording the weekly offerings under the leadership of our Financial Secretary.
Memorial
This committee is responsible for administering memorial funds donated to our church in honor or memory of a loved one.
Endowment
Our First UCC Endowment Fund is used to “enhance the mission outreach of the church apart from the annual operating budget”. The Fund’s principal comes from outright gifts or planned giving bequests (including cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, charitable gift annuities, assignment of life insurance and accumulated interest). The principal is invested through UCC financial services (United Church Funds). A portion of the yearly accruing interest is used to support the church’s mission as laid out in the bylaws of the Endowment Fund.
Fundraising
This team is responsible for developing and maintaining ongoing fundraising efforts ($5,000.00 or less) for the church and community projects. Money amounts less than $5,000.00 can be carried over to the next year for emergencies or needs that arise.
Building & Grounds
This committee oversees the maintenance and improvements to our church facilities to make the church a comfortable inviting place for worship, our ministries and the community.
Church Dinner Team
This committee organizes community meals as a source of fundraising and fellowship.
Health & Safety Team
This team was formed to develop a plan for the safe return to our church building following the pandemic. Now, the team continues to develop protocols that help us provide a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for all people.
Technology Team
This group is responsible for developing a hybrid worship technology plan that allows our members and community members to attend worship in person, on the phone or via Zoom. These services are recorded and posted on YouTube.
Website
This committee is responsible for designing and developing a website that is user-friendly and is maintained with current information about our church life. This new website helps us welcome and inform members, newcomers and the wider community about our mission and many ministries.
Nominating
This team works closely with the Council to recruit faithful, dedicated and diverse leaders.