About Us
Who We Are...
Rooted in the Past
Alive in the Present
Focused on the Future
Who We Are
We Believe
Jesus Christ is our Lord.
One in Christ
A Ministry for You
The Rev. Bryn Smallwood-Garcia, Senior Pastor
The Rev. Jennifer L. Whipple, Associate Pastor
Toni Sullivan, Director of Music
The Rev. M. S. Desmond, Pastor Emeritus
Jeannine McCullough, Church Office Administrator
Barbara Crandell, Church School Coordinator
Debbie Marquardt, Nursery Care Provider
Click the tabs below to read about each committee.
Purpose
To oversee all matters concerning all church properties which include the church building, parsonage, barn, cottage, and grounds
What does the Church House Committee do?
- Maintains church building and grounds
- Approves and oversees facility/property use by outside organizations
- Equips church kitchens with basic supplies
- Oversees decorating and renovations of church buildings
- Complies with local and state regulations
When do you meet?
4th Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Upstairs Kitchen
What does Church in Society do?
CIS is responsible for communicating to the congregation local and worldwide social issues, outreach concerns or programs through events or education opportunities. The CIS Committee consists of 9 members of the congregation with one member on Church Council.
The programs that CIS supports and encourages involvement by the congregation are, but not limited to:
- Refugee Resettlement Program
- Mission Trips of the Men’s, Women’s and Youth groups
- Pie making of which the proceeds assist the Women’s Mission Trip
- Thrift Shop
- Donate food or participate in preparing sandwiches for Loaves and Fishes in New Milford
- The Blanket Fund
- The Giving Tree
- Food Drive in February
- Yankee Fair
- Dining for Women programs
- Alternatives Gift Fair
- SERVV
- 5 for 5 Donation opportunities
Church in Society allocates the budgeted and special monies raised for outreach concerns through some of the programs listed above.
Some of the ways you can you help CIS by working together to help serve our local community and the worldwide outreach programs:
Purchase a pie or two for the holidays made to raise money for the Women’s Annual Mission Trip.
Donate your gently used clothing items to the Thrift Shop.
Donate towards the Annual Blanket Fund.
Purchase items from SERVV and the Alternatives Gift Fair
Take a tag or two off of the giving tree to purchase a gift or item on someone’s wish list
Donate Food in February to help fill the shelves at the local Food Pantry
Attend the Dining for Women monthly group
Participate in the Yankee Fair
If you have any questions, would like to suggest other outreach opportunities or to get involved. Please reach out to someone on the CIS committee.
Lyn Lyon (Chair), Luke Duval (Council Representative). The committee meets on the 1st Tuesday each month at 7pm in the Church Library.
Church Council
Purpose
To serve as the Policy and Planning body of the church.
What does the Church Council do?
Plans how we can best be a Church of Jesus Christ.
Formulates Policy of the church.
Is responsible for the ordinary business of the church between congregational meetings.
Serves as the legal trustees of the church.
Prepares, recommends, and oversees the church's operating budget.
Is responsible for all personnel matters relating to church staff and pastoral relations.
When do you meet?
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm, Brooks Hall
Members are always welcome to attend and observe the Council meetings. To be added to the agenda of the monthly meeting, please contact the Moderator
| Committee Chairmen and Church Council Reps | |
| Moderator: | Sue Waschak |
| Vice Moderator: | Jack Brown |
| Clerk: | TBD |
| Treasurer: | Greg Dorrell |
| Assistant Treasurer: | Kristi McPadden |
| Investment Treasurer: | Audrey Himebaugh |
| Church Council Representatives | |
| Christian Ed | Wendy Elsen |
| Church House | Steve Waschak |
| Church-in-Society | Luke Duval |
| Deacons | John Pondiccio |
| Fellowship | Michele Ostrom |
| Nominating | Carolyn Lindroth |
| Stewardship | Tom Brown |
| Welcome | Beth Telesco |
| Worship | Kathy Wandelmaier |
| Historian | Bob Brown |
Purpose
To nurture and care for the members and friends of the church, and to nurture the congregation's spiritual growth and actively pray for its members and their concerns.
What do Deacons do?
Your Deacon Branch provides a way for you to have a specific member of the Board with whom to relate. If you have requests or concerns that you’d like to share with a lay person, your Deacon is available. Naturally, if you’re more comfortable calling one of the other deacons, or one of your pastors, please feel free to do so. Such requests or concerns might include:- a need for prayer
- a request for help (transport to a doctor’s appointment, church function, etc.)
- a sorrow (illness, accident, death)
- a joy (a birth, graduation, upcoming wedding, etc.)
- something that particularly pleases you, or would better meet your needs in the worship service
When do you meet?
1st Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in Room 4, Noah's Art
Deacon Branches 2020-2021 | |
| A-BO | Ruth Allen |
| BR-CO | Martha Parvis |
| CR-DY | Sharon Santi |
| E-GI | Jeanine Hanewicz |
| GL-I | Pete Lane |
| J-LI | Sue Boughton |
| LO-MA | Alex DeLucia |
| Mc-O | Mary Gallagher DeLucia |
| P-RI | Ed Insull |
| RO-SI | Leslie Sands |
| SL-TY | Carol Ryan |
| UN-Z | John Pondiccio |
| Youth Deacons: Catie Coneybear, Stephen Wutzl | |
Purpose
To provide educational opportunities for people of all ages in the congregation
What does the Christian Education Committee do?
- Provides nursery care
- Provides Church School
- Coordinates Confirmation
- provides Adult Education opportunities
- Arranges "Time for Children"
- Oversees youth groups
- Supports Vacation Bible School
- Coordinates special programs such as Annual Pancake Breakfast, Advent Wreath Workshop, Christmas Pageant, and Year End Family Picnic
When do you meet
2nd Wednesday of Each Month in Room 2, the Rainbow Room (childcare is provided)
Purpose
To provide the congregation with opportunities to share in fellowship
What does the Fellowship Committee do?
- Coordinates Sunday morning coffee hours
- Oversees Serendippers
- Oversees Church Fair
- Coordinates Christmas dinner for Pageant
- Provides reception for grieving families
- Provides reception for Special Chorus and other events (TBD)
- Mails "Get Well Cards"
- Book Club, Buccaneers and Saving Graces also fall under our umbrella
When do you meet?
3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm in Brooks Hall
Long Range Planning Committee Purpose
When do you meet?
3rd wed of every month
Purpose
To fill the positions of the standing committees and leadership positions
What does the Nominating Committee do?
- Fills slate by Annual Meeting
- Fills positions that open during the year
- Develops church leadership
- Supports and nurtures volunteers and committees
- Provides an "Opportunity Fair"
- Recognizes and celebrates volunteers
When do you meet?
3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Youth Room
Purpose
Providing year-long church wide programming to educate the congregation about stewardship and to conduct an annual campaign to support the budget
What does the Stewardship Committee do?
- Establishes a program for raising money in support of the budget
- Arranges for the counting, recording, and depositing of monies received
- Furnishes quarterly statements of giving
- Coordinates all types of giving including gifts of time, talent, and monies
When do you meet?
3rd Tuesday of each month in the Upstairs Kitchen
Share, and see God’s spirit spread!
The Stewardship Committee celebrates your decision to enter into covenant with us as members of the Congregational Church of Brookfield, and we thank you for all you are able to SHARE with us just by your worship attendance and participation in our church life. We always ask members to complete a financial pledge so that we can make an estimate of our church’s annual income to our Church Council for their preparation of a responsible and accurate budget. With the financial support of each of our members, giving from the blessings God has shared with each of us, our church is able to carry out the work and ministries Christ has called us to do.
We offer 3 ways to turn in pledges:
- in the offering plate
- by mail to:
Jeannine McCullough, Church Office
The Congregational Church of Brookfield
160 Whisconier Road, Brookfield, CT 06804 - by E-mail
Pledging by E-mail is now an option, even if you are not an on-line giver. You can respond to Jeannine McCullough, Church Office, office@uccb.org
Purpose
To oversee all matters involving worship
What does the Worship Committee do?
- Responsible for all services including Sunday, outdoor chapel, campfire, wedding, and memorial services
- Responsible for the physical aspects of services including lighting, sound, and appearance
- Subcommittees:
- Music
- Flowers
- Ushers
- Media Booth
- Lay Readers
When do you meet?
1st Tuesday of each month at 7pm in Brooks Hall
Purpose
To attract and welcome all and create a sense of openness
What does the Welcome Committee do?
- Informs the community about the church
- Welcomes all newcomers
- Arranges for the joining of new members
and hosts the new member breakfast - Provides a list of those wishing to join the church to the Deacons
When do you meet?
4th Tuesday of each month, at 6:30 pm in the Church Library
"If you could have seen the tearful eyes and heard the grateful words of thanks from the families as your donations were picked up, you would realize how deeply you have touched them"
Brookfield Social Services
