Ways We Can Serve at First Church
Opportunities abound within First Church to serve on one of its many boards and committees. Joining a group is an excellent way to be involved in the life and management of our church.
Following are brief descriptions of our various boards, committees and Parish Caring Ministries.
Christian Education
Supervises and directs the educational work of the church, in cooperation with the ministers and the Director of Children’s Ministries. This board has oversight of educational programs for adults as well as children.
Outreach
Helps to direct the Church’s larger ministry, promote its social responsibilities, coordinate various missionary projects and select appropriate recipients of funding and special service projects.
Youth Outreach
Supports our youth in social, biblical, and missionary activities, trips and programs. Adult leadership is key—and an energetic way to serve our younger members.
Music
Works with our organist, the ministers and deacons. They administer the Lucille Hempel Parker Music Scholarship and organize special musical events.
Ushers
Assist the Deacons when needed but primarily at Sunday morning services.
Deacons
Work closely with the ministers to attend to the spiritual interests of the Church and community. They assist in the worship services, prepare and serve communion, and they supervise the music and hospitality committees and the ushers.
Prudential
Has primary duties of supervising the business and financial affairs of the Church as well as the care and custody of the properties. This group offers the chance to be closely involved with the upkeep and operations of our buildings.
Hospitality
Coordinates and supervises the Sunday morning greeters and coffee hour hosts. They extend hospitality on other occasions particularly the reception on John Warham Sunday.
Early Learning Center Policy Board
Provides rewarding experiences to pre-school children of the Church and community. A variety of programs are offered. The school is governed by a volunteer board of directors who oversee staff, budget and registration.
Trustees
Meet quarterly to review investments of the trust funds. Manage the investments and the disbursements of the earnings to the Treasurer.
Stewardship
Establishes and maintains an organization to plan, direct and implement the annual every member canvass.
Delegates
Represent our church to the Capitol Region Conference of Churches, Christian Activities Council, Connecticut Conference and the Hartford Association.
Community Awareness
Considers ways of improving communications within the church organization as well as without.
Church Office Volunteers
There are many tasks involved in keeping the church running smoothly. Volunteers spare a few hours monthly to help with clerical jobs (bulk mailings, filing, signage, morning office coverage, etc.)
Church School Teachers
Teaching is fun, the lessons are planned for you and the time commitment is as little as a month of Sundays.
Parish Caring Ministries (PCM)
began its work in the fall of 1998. Our vision has been to create an intentional caring connection among all First Church members, especially those that are homebound, in nursing facilities, hospitalized or going through a difficult time. Our mission is to do Christ’s work by creating opportunities for our parishioners to use their gifts as they reach out to one another in love.
Parish Visitors
The Visitors make personal calls on parishioners who are homebound or in nursing facilities. Many Visitors have received special training through the Pastoral Care Training Program of Hartford Hospital. They meet every other month for support, fellowship and further training.
Meals and Transportation
This committee provides meals to members who are sick, home from the hospital, or recently bereaved. It also furnishes rides to and from church and for medical appointments.
Care Note Writing
The members of this ministry write notes of support and condolence to First Church members who are ill, bereaved or convalescing after a hospitalization.
Friendship Team
Friendship Team members call to welcome visitors who have signed the Friendship Pad during Sunday Morning worship.
Parish Prayer Team
Upon receiving a request for prayers, members of the prayer teams offer prayers in the privacy of their own homes.
Knitting Ministry
This group gathers monthly to knit prayer shawls for members or friends of the congregation who are ill, grieving, lonely or in need of a spiritual lift. We literally wrap people in love and prayer.
Flower Committee
This ministry arranges for Sunday flowers and their distribution to shut-ins. They also coordinate hospitalization deliveries and the Easter and Christmas displays.
Opportunities for Service to Parish Caring Ministries
Parish Caring Ministries offers unique opportunities to serve First Church. If you are interested in serving others, there is a special place for you.
Do you enjoy visiting the elderly, sick or lonely?
Can you make a meal or drive someone to church?
Can you take a few moments to send a note of caring to someone in need?
Would you like to call Sunday visitors to First Church with words of welcome?
Are you able to take a few moments each week to pray in your home for parishioners in need?
Are you gifted at flower arranging?
Would you like to knit a prayer shawl?
PCM has set up its ministries so that, even in the midst of our busy lives, we can each take a small, manageable piece and make a very meaningful contribution to the physical, spiritual and emotional well-being of our sisters and brothers in Christ. Will you join us?
For opportunities to serve within Parish Caring Ministries or any of the other wonderful ways to give back within our church community, contact Rev. Rick Huleatt, Rev. Char Corbett or contact the office by phone or email. (see cover for contact information.)