Life in the
Christ Congregational Church family is active, rich and
rewarding. We tend not to be passive observers in worship events,
but rather we are an active community who help plan and lead and
support and share in our community's programs. Consequently, our
church life includes governance as well as participation. The
programs listed below are grouped into Boards (many of our Boards
include youth members with full voting rights), committees,
service activities and small group activities. Check them out and
you are bound to find one or more activities that fit with your
life and talent and interests.
Board of Trustees
The Trustees manage the financial resources of the Church,
including hiring and compensating staff, maintaining the Church's
properties and implementing its programs. A key task involves the
development of the annual budget with input from the staff, other
Boards and the congregation itself.
Board of Deacons The
Deacons seek to enhance the spiritual life of the congregation.
The Board works closely with the ministers in planning and
assisting in worship services, including the serving of
communion. Board members call on members who are sick or in
crisis, oversees the Covenant Class for our young
people, and
administers the Deacons Fund for those in need.
Board for Christian Education
Christian Education develops and implements the Church's
educational programs for children and adults of all ages.
Specific programs include the Sunday morning church school,
comprehensive programs for junior and senior highs, summer camp
and retreats at CCC's retreat house, intergenerational activities
and educational opportunities for adults.
Board for
Social Witness The Board of Social
Witness carries out Christ's charge to be Good Samaritans by
allocating the CCC mission funds to local, national, and
international causes and programs. In addition, the Board
coordinates special church offerings and seeks to engage church
volunteers to participate in mission-related activities - a soup
kitchen, a nearby after-school program for troubled students, and
emergency disaster relief. The Board also explores action CCC can
take regarding economic, social, and political issues. In recent
years, these initiatives have included environmental protection,
housing for low-income residents, and social justice for people
of different races, gender, and sexual orientation. Please
see our recent projects and
guidlines.
Board of Outreach and
Engagement The O & E Board seeks ways to bring new
members into the Church and ensure that they receive a warm
welcome once they find their ways to our doors. To encourage visitors to come, O & E advertises and promotes CCC's ministry, program and events. On a monthly basis, the Board schedules conversation meetings to orient regular visitors on the life of our church and invite them to consider joining CCC.
Board for Church Life The Board for Church Life coordinates and initiates church events and activities that enhance our opportunities to know and enjoy one another. The Board plans several special events each year such as church-wide picnics, a family Halloween party, the Advent Wreath workshop, Christmas caroling and the Beach and Winter weekends.
Board of Stewardship Stewardship encourages members to give generously of their time,
talent and financial resources to support the life mission of the
Church. This is accomplished primarily through an annual
stewardship and pledging campaign that seeks to foster both a
sense of the spiritual and Biblical basis of stewardship and of
the joy to be found in active participation in the vibrant
community.
Audio-Visual Committee
A-V provides sound amplification for the Sunday morning worship
service(s), memorial services and other events as needed. The
committee also tapes the worship services and makes the tapes
available in the Library for anyone to borrow (tapes of memorial
services are given to the family). Furthermore, the committee has
oversight of all the church's audio-visual projection equipment,
and it advises the Board of Trustees and Council on maintenance,
repair and replacement.
Buildings and Grounds Committee B&G advises the Board of Trustees on all new construction,
alterations, furnishings and decorating, planting and landscape
development and related planning for the various church
properties other than the Retreat House. This committee also
provides advice and assistance to the Property Administrator.
Fine Arts Committee
The Fine Arts Committee is made up of individuals interested in
the creative and dramatic arts, and in how the art relate to
spiritual issues. Its activities depend upon the interests of the
members and have included, in addition to monthly art exhibits at
the church, poetry readings and dramatic productions.
Kitchen Committee It
is responsible for keeping the kitchen in the Social Hall and the
kitchenette in the Lounge ready for use.
Library Committee It
maintains the church library, and plans and catalogs additions to
the collection.
Personnel Committee
Personnel Committee develops personnel policies for the staff,
including job descriptions, benefits and performance evaluations,
and it makes hiring recommendations for non-ministerial staff.
The Committee is composed of representatives from several of the
Boards plus at-large membership.
Publicity Committee
It promotes events and activities of the church both within CCC
and to the wider community. It creates posters, flyers, booklets
and communications to news media.
Referral and Service Committee
Referral and Service assists church members during times of
special need by helping with food and transportation for medical
and other appointments. It also assists in organizing receptions
for memorial services. Two committee members are designated each
month to be on call for coordinating assistance.
Retreat House Committee
This committee is responsible for the operation and maintenance
of the church's properties ... main house, bunk house, chapel and
barn, along with 65 acres of farmland and woods ... along the
Cacapon River at Lehew, W.Va. The pre-Civil War house has been
used for a variety of retreats, summer camps and family getaways
from Easter to Thanksgiving for over 25 years. The committee
regulates its use, joins in annual opening and closing retreats
to do routine maintenance and undertakes special projects as
needed.
Sanctuary Committee
Oversees the provision of memorial flowers on the altar during
worship and other special services, provides floral arrangements
for other spaces in the church and decorates the church for
special occasions and holidays. Members work in teams,
approximately four times a year. Workshops are held several times
a year to clean and refurbish equipment and to present programs
on the art of flower arranging.
Special Gifts Committee
Special Gifts educates and informs members who may wish to make
contributions to the church outside their usual stewardship
pledge ... such as bequests, trusts and major gifts. The
committee advises the Board of Trustees on the investment of such
funds along with other funds in the church's Permanent Fund.
Ushers Committee
Ushers prepare the Sanctuary for worship, welcome and seat
worshipers, distribute bulletins and assist in the Order of
Worship during both Sunday services and special church events.
Other Opportunities for Service and Fellowship
Adult Education Sessions are held Sunday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m., with some Sunday evening courses offered as well. Courses cover divers subjects and have ranged from books of the Bible to health care reform to issues of death and dying. Courses are led by ministers, lay members of CCC and outside resource persons.
Choirs Adults and
children sing at various CCC services as detailed on the Music page.
Children and Youth Leadership Adults serve as teachers, advisors, care givers and
superintendents to the Christian education programs detailed on
the Programs for Youth and
Children page.
Called to Care Called to Care Ministers are a lay care-giving network that befriends
members of our community going through times of transition —
serious illness, divorce, job change, death of a loved one —
by offering support and encouragement. Called to Care Ministers complete
a 50-hour training program and receive on-going ministerial
supervision.
Small Group
Activities
Small
groups are an important way for a congregation to help people feel included and
engaged, and to help meet peoples diverse spiritual, educational and
relationship needs. These are not service boards or committees, but groups that
are formed for mutual education, support or benefit. There are currently a
number of small groups at CCC which offer a variety of ways and experiences to
foster spiritual growth. Here are snapshots of some of the small group offerings
at CCC. All are welcome to join these small groups and we hope you find a group
that is right for you!
Men’s
Group
The CCC Men’s Group provides support to each of its members, starting each
meeting with “how was your week?” The
group currently meets Tuesday nights 8:00 – 10:00. The current size is a few,
but the group has no size limit. To join the Men’s group, attend a meeting.
Couples
Communication
Couples Communication teaches basic relationship communication skills and
provides the opportunity for the application of these in a supportive
environment. Six weekly workshops will begin in the Fall for committed couples
dedicated to fostering positive growth in their relationship.
Dinner
for 7 or So
A small group of people share meals with each other, in order to form and deepen
friendships in this group. There are currently about 15 individuals or families
participating, but the group can be any size. People are invited to join in the
Fall and are divided into groups based on geographic location and the
presence/ages of children. Members then take turns hosting a meal. Anyone can
join during the organizing process in the Fall. An announcement is posted and
people sign up.
Marriage
Enrichment
This group provides support and enhances the relationships of participating
couples with the primary focus on improving communication skills. This group is
open to all couples who see themselves as married in the eyes of God. The group
meets the first Friday or Sunday late afternoon each month. The next group will
begin in September.
The
Book Club
The Book Club gathers at a church member’s home at 7 p.m. Sunday evening once
a month to discuss a mutually chosen book. The group is open to anyone. To join,
just come. It is usually posted in the church bulletin when a new book group is
starting.
Parent’s
Night Out
Parent’s Night Out allows parents an evening out while church members baby
sit. This is a cooperative experience – at least one parent expected to baby
sit for every 3-4 times they use the service. Patent’s Night Out is held on
the third Friday of each month. There is no size limit. A sign-up sheet is
located on the Church Life bulletin board.
Joey’s
Restaurant Review Club
This is a strictly social club and is open to everyone. The group usually meets
on Wednesday at the restaurant they wish to review. There is a sign-up sheet on
the board outside of the church office.
QiGong
This QiGong is a low impact exercise and health class. The class is instructor
led and anyone may participate for a small fee. The group meets once a week,
usually on a Thursday. Interested participants should sign up for the 10 week
class in the Fall.
Life
Review Group
The purpose of the Life Review Group is to provide members with the opportunity
to share life stories with one another, reminisce and reflect on their lives.
The desired size of the group is 6-8 persons. The group usually meets once a
month for two hours and is an 8 topic series. Look for a new group starting in
the Fall.
Sisters
For Sisters
This group gives support and fellowship opportunities to single women in its
monthly meetings, usually on Sunday. This group has no size limit and interested
persons may join by attending a meeting or contacting the group facilitator.
The
First Sunday Pot Luck Lunch
Bring a dish and share lunch following the 10:30 a.m. service on the first
Sunday of each month. It is held downstairs in the social hall and has no hidden
agenda. Just come and enjoy food and fellowship. Help with set up and clean up.
Singles
Over Forty
This group meets the second Sunday of each month. The group shares various
social activities and provides support for each other. Activities include dining
out, movies, pot lucks, etc. Join at any time.
Digital
Photography Group
This group meets once a month during the school year to discuss photos, digital
equipment, and methods by which digital techniques can be used to make and
improve photographic images. Meetings are open to all who are interested.
Simplicity
Circle
This is a group of people who share the desire to look critically at the
emphasis placed on consumerism in America and what the consequences of this are
on the environment, on community, on social justice, and on our personal
financial and spiritual health. In
addition to exploring living with fewer goods, we also discuss simplifying our
lives by reducing our time commitments and really examining what is most
important in our lives. Currently open to membership until the group reaches 10
members. This group meets twice monthly on the second and fourth Mondays.
Game
Night for Adults
This is a group open to anyone who enjoys playing cards or board games such as
hearts, monopoly, rummicub, gin rummy, etc.
Contact the group facilitator for meeting times and dates.
Cultural
Events
This
is a group that periodically gets together to attend stage productions, movies,
concerts, and any other cultural event. Anyone who wants to coordinate an event
would contact the members of the group with the specifics (date, time, ticket
prices) and then we go from there. Participation in this group is open to
everyone.
