First Congregational Church runs on the gifts, time, and energy of its members. Our six ministry areas cover the full life of the congregation — from welcoming newcomers to caring for those in need, from sustaining our worship life to managing the building that makes it all possible. Each ministry is led by volunteers who show up consistently because they believe this community is worth investing in. Below you will find a description of each ministry, the teams that support it, and how you can get involved. There is a place for everyone here.
Administration Ministry
Keeps First Congregational running behind the scenes — overseeing our property, staff, finances, and facilities so that every ministry has the foundation it needs to do its work.
View All Administration Ministry Teams
- Investment Team
The team reviews the investments for reasonableness periodically. - Personnel Team
The team provides thoughtful, consistent structure for paid staff. - Property Team
The team helps with repairs around the church. - Building Use Team
The team approves the rental of the building and works with the renters. - Stewardship Team
The team provides a meaningful annual campaign to provide resources to support the annual budget. - Counting Team
The team counts the money received on a weekly basis.
Worship Ministry
Supports and enriches the worship life of First Congregational, providing the volunteers and leadership that make Sunday services, our ministry at Ashlar Village, and special celebrations run with care, reverence, and hospitality.
View All Worship Ministry Teams
- Sacramental Ministry Team
The team supports the worship life of the church, assisting the Minister with the sacraments. - Music Team
The team’s primary focus is to work closely with the Minister of Music to plan and implement all music related functions. - Altar Team
The team is responsible for the care of worship service supplies. - Usher Team
The team posts hymn numbers, lights the altar candles, greets guests, and hands out bulletins once every six weeks. - Flower Team
The team coordinates the sponsorship of altar flowers and decorates the sanctuary for special occasions. - Live-Streaming Team
The team records each Sunday worship service while streaming online via YouTube and Facebook. - Audio Team
The team is responsible for the operation of the sound system and microphones for worship services. - Greeter Team
The team welcomes parishioners before worship services and assists with the use of the elevator.
Membership Ministry
Builds and sustains the community of First Congregational, welcoming new members and creating opportunities for the congregation to gather, connect, and grow together.
View All Membership Ministry Teams
- Fellowship Events Team
The team sponsors events for fellowship and fun throughout the year. - New Member Team
The team holds information sessions for those interested in joining the church. - Scholarship Team
The team reviews applications and grants scholarships to members to further education. - Rummage Sale Team
The team organizes donated clothing and houseware items and holds a fund raiser for the church. - Fundraising Team
This team holds fundraising events to benefit the church. - Church Fair Team
This team creates and organizes items for the annual fair. - Book Group Team
This team recommends books and leads discussion on a monthly basis. - Communication Team
This team maintains the website, Facebook pages, and the screen showing pictures before the worship service. - Nominating Team
The team finds and encourages members to take on leadership roles in the ministries.
Ministry and Outreach Ministry
Connects First Congregational to the wider world through service, outreach, and community engagement — organizing programs and events that live out our commitment to love our neighbors, and actively welcoming new people into the life of the church.
View All Mission and Outreach Ministry Teams
- Monthly Mission Drives Team
The team holds a monthly collection of various goods to benefit local organizations. - Pop-Up Drives Team
The team meets sudden, unexpected needs in the community. - Open & Affirming Team
The team promotes understanding, acceptance, and meaningful inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable people, including, but not limited to, the LGBTQIA+ community. - Books to Prisons Team
The team collects books for distribution to CT correctional facilities. - FedEx Ministry Team
The team delivers items, that FedEx deems undeliverable, to local nonprofits, thus keeping them out of a landfill. - Warming Tree Team
The team provides free hats, gloves, scarves, etc. on the front steps of the church from December to March. - Mission Funds Distribution Team
The team selects and donates to various nonprofit organizations whose missions align with the church’s. - Scouting Team
The team supports Troop 5.
Faith Formation Ministry
Nurtures the spiritual growth of our entire congregation across every age and stage of life, providing Christian education, Bible study, and formation opportunities that help children, youth, and adults deepen their faith and live it out in the world.
View All Faith Formation Ministry Teams
- Church School Team
The team organizes church school lessons and events. - Confirmation Team
The team conducts the confirmation classes. - Youth Group Team
The team supports the activities of the youth group. - Adult Education Team
The team organizes and supports the adult education sessions.
Congregational Care Ministry
Walks alongside members of our congregation through life’s most difficult moments, offering care, support, and personal visitation to those who are ill, grieving, or in need of connection. The ministry also includes the Prayer Shawl Team, whose members knit and crochet handmade shawls and blankets that are given as tangible expressions of the congregation’s love and prayers.
View All Congregational Care Ministry Teams
- Good Cheer Team
The team sends cards and notes to members and friends for care and concern. - Hospitality Team
The team organizes and provides receptions. - Visitation Team
The team visits home bound or members and friends in need of a visit. - Prayer Shawl Team
The team knits or crochets prayer shawls for baptisms and those in need of comfort.
