Wolcott Congregational Church
Wolcott Congregational Church was founded in 1773 and has an interesting and colorful history. In 1972 the church entered into covenant with the United Church of Christ, a mainline denomination uniting four smaller ones for the purpose of wider mission opportunities, Christian Education, administrative support and resourcing, and oversight of standards for the performance of ministry by an educated and authorized clergy.
As a Congregational church, our church is completely autonomous in its decision making regarding all aspects of our mission and ministry. We own the property, choose our own leaders, take full fiscal responsibility for everything we do and own, determine what practices and ministries are best suited for our members and our work. We function as a democracy, choosing elected leaders to represent us in the day to day work of the church. As a member you have both the right and the privilege to become fully involved in the workings of the church by voting at all congregational meetings, serving on the various Boards and Committees, and giving of your time, resources, and talents to further the work of Christ among us.
To accomplish all that we feel called by God to do we have divided up the work among the following Boards and Committees:
ABC Children’s Center Board – oversight of everything pertaining to the ABC Learning Center which is an entity of Wolcott Congregational Church
Board of Christian Education – responsible for all educational programs, especially the Sunday School and Confirmation curriculum, staffing, and resourcing.
Board of Deacons – responsible for the spiritual well-being of our members, care for everything related to worship and for the special needs of those attending.
Mission Board – responsible to encourage the congregation in outreach to the needy of the community, the nation and the world. Various special offerings are received throughout the year, as well as collections of goods, food, and other care items.
Music Board – responsible for all of the music related activities in the church, the various choirs, special musical presentations, and encouraging the use of all the talents within our community of faith.
Stewardship Board – responsible for inspiring growth in faith and relationship with Jesus Christ through an intentional program encouraging the giving of time, talents, and financial resources to further the mission and ministry of the whole church.
Pastoral Relations Board – responsible to assist the pastor and the congregation in communicating the needs of each and available to lead through any difficult times and areas needing conflict resolution.
Board of Trustees – responsible for the buildings and grounds, investments, budget, insurance, salaries, staff and contracts.
There are a number of other groups and committees such as:
Chancel Committee – cares for providing flowers for the chancel each Sunday and additional services, decorations, as needed. Assists the Deacons.
Frank and Dora Haggard Scholarship Committee – annually scholarships are presented to qualified Seniors heading off to college, as well as renewals for up to four years.
Memorial Committee – maintains records of all memorial gifts and designates use of the donations received. Annual scholarship provided.
Memorial Garden Committee – cares for the garden between buildings
WCCare Committee – cares for our members in crisis, maintaining a close relationship with the church family, and encouraging healthy living
Ladies Aid – Open to all women of the church this organization provides fellowship while serving the needs of the church and community in many ways including providing receptions following memorial and funeral services, semi-annual rummage sales, various dinners and activities.
Men's Club – Open to all men of the church this organization provides fellowship while serving the needs of the church and community in many ways including providing scholarships, serving meals, participating in the annual Gifts and Greens Fair.
Youth Groups – For both Middle School and High School these groups are designed to encourage greater participation in the ministry and mission of the church while providing fun, educational, service oriented, and relationship building activities throughout the year.