Our governance is “congregational,” which means that the members own the church and make all major decisions about money, mission, and staffing. We are Open and Affirming (ONA) which is the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
The congregation of members elect a nine-person Church Board to provide ongoing leadership, planning, program evaluation, and fiscal oversight. In congregational meetings budgets are presented, priorities are discussed, and leadership is elected.
Board members serve three-year terms and can be nominated by any member. Potential board members must have had previous church committee, task force, or other leadership experience, and have the endorsement of three other First Congregational UCC members.
The Board meets once a month and provides spiritual and missional leadership on behalf of the congregation. In addition to board meetings, each member also serves on one or more standing committees or task forces. If you are interested, please contact staff. A nomination form is made available each spring, and the election of board members occurs at the June Congregational Meeting.
Current Board Members, terms end in June:
- Dan Close, 2024, Moderator
- Polly Shannon, 2024, Vice-Moderator
- Mary Otten, 2024
- Tim Bloch, 2026
- Valerie Hazen, 2025
- Vic Mann, 2025
- Joan Rawlings-Boyd, 2025
- Georgia Quick 2026
- Laurie Swanson-Gribskov 2026
- Larry Flick, Treasurer
- Stephanie Lonergan, Secretary/Clerk
