Are you interested in becoming more involved in service at First Church? The Committee of Involvement is currently seeking to match members with various church leadership positions. Formal elections take place at the Annual Meeting on the first Sunday in February. Every member is invited to let the committee know of their interest in serving, whether on the Church Council or on any of our six ministries. Terms are typically two years.
Ministries meet virtually or in-person, depending on the members’ comfort, and typically once a month except in less busy times. There are several open positions on both the Justice & Service and the Stewardship, Finance & Administration ministries as well as a call for a new Church Clerk.
The ministries and committees are described below. Please consider serving your church in this way—both to deepen your own sense of connection and purpose, and to keep our church vital and thriving. If you are interested in serving, or would like to have a conversation to see where your skills and interests would be a good fit, please contact any member of the Committee of Involvement: Leonard Ash, Linda Sawyer, Louise Halsey, Kathy Helliesen, Rev. Molly, Rev. Kelly, Nick Kukulan, Julia Madore, Hope Hilton, Jeanne Strauss, or Steve Spielman.
Adult Education
This ministry organizes and promotes educational events that reflect congregational needs and interests, and emerging issues in the moral realm. Topics may deal explicitly or implicitly with Christ’s teachings, and apply them to all aspects of life: family and personal relationships, physical and mental health, spiritual growth, and social justice.
Care, Fellowship & Invitation (CF&I)
This ministry promotes fellowship and hospitality to the church family. CF&I strives to provide the means by which all may be drawn to experience and understand God’s love through fellowship and an extended hand. The CF&I ministry includes greeting on Sunday morning, coordinating meal deliveries to those experiencing illness, coordinating the After Party Soup ministry and helping out during fellowship events.
Families, Children & Youth (FamChY)
This ministry is devoted to nurturing and supporting the faith formation of children, youth, and the adults who love them as they embark on a spiritual journey over a lifetime. Inclusivity, spiritual activism/social justice, support for parents and other caregivers as they guide their children’s wellbeing and development, engaging children and youth in inspired worship, seasonal events, and providing opportunities for intergenerational connection all are core aspects of FamChY’s work.
Justice & Service
This ministry promotes and is responsible for advocacy, hands-on projects, and education related to social justice issues, including the twice-a-year Service as Worship service project event, and managing the process by which local and global agencies are invited to receive the weekly plate offering.
Stewardship, Finance & Administration (SF&A)
This ministry promotes the responsible stewardship of the church’s physical plant, property, and finances in support of the church and its missions. It also has responsibility for emergency planning and preparedness. The Treasurer and Director of Operations are standing members.
Worship & Spiritual Life (Deacons)
This ministry assists in developing and maintaining the Church’s openness to God’s spirit by supporting the worship life of the Congregation, to include Church services and the sacraments. The Ministry shall also be responsible for the operation, appointments, and use of the sanctuary and chapel, and the spiritual well-being of the membership including writing Love Notes to those who live alone or are having a difficult time.
Council of the Congregation (Church Council) – Members at large participate in meetings of the Council, which meets once a month, virtually at present. Church Council is the senior leadership body of the congregation, representing the congregation in important decisions, managing conflict in healthy ways, and coordinating the programming and vision of the church. Terms are two years.
Long-Range Planning Committee supports the Senior Minister, Moderator and Moderator-Elect, in brainstorming and enacting congregation-wide projects related to our vision and mission. Terms are two years.
Delegates represent the congregation at the United Church of Christ Northern California Nevada Conference Annual Gathering and at ecclesiastical councils and ordinations of the Bay Association of the conference (currently all virtual).
Committee of Involvement (COI) recruits and nominates candidates for various church leadership positions. The clerk, immediate past moderator, and immediate past ministry chairs serve one-year terms. Members at large serve two-year terms. The work of COI happens primarily August-January.