FAQ
We like to think the Congregational Church of Brookfield (CCB) is a friendly, active, music-filled place graced with humor, warmth, and acceptance. As we like to say: “No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.” We are an “Open and Affirming” congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC). To find out more about the United Church of Christ, please visit www.ucc.org.
No! We welcome all guests. If you are “shopping” for a church, please come to a few services to see if we might be the right home for you. At every service you will find a welcome table with information and resources for our guests.
We love kids—even screaming babies. However, parents should know that we do provide infant and toddler childcare during both services.
All children are welcome to join in the first part of the service. We have a special “Time for Children” sermon before children leave for Sunday school. We offer multiple age-graded classes up through 6th grade at the 10:30 service. We have Confirmation classes for our 9th graders, who are invited to join the congregation as full members each spring.
Our Sunday school is a fun experience, and even kids visiting from out of town for the day or coming for the first time are welcome to attend. The material is taught in such a way that no child will feel as though they are “behind” any time they attend.
While all children are welcome to join Sunday school at any time, it is also perfectly fine if your child would rather stay in church with you for the entire service. For more on our Sunday school program look here.
Yes! And you don’t have to feel guilty or hypocritical about it, either. We believe faith is a journey and all are welcome no matter where they find themselves on that journey.
Statement from the United Church of Christ:
“To say that a setting of the United Church of Christ (a local church, campus ministry etc.) is “Open and Affirming” means that it has publicly and specifically declared that those of all “sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions” (or “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender” people) are welcome in its full life and ministry (e.g. membership, leadership, employment, etc.). It bespeaks a spirit of hospitality and a willingness to live out that welcome in meaningful ways.”
You should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. If you look around at the congregation during the service, you’ll see some folks in jeans and others in suits or dresses. It’s all good.
You may also enter via the door in the building’s courtyard, also easily accessible from the upper parking lot. (Follow the path that leads toward the Church Office.) Once you are inside the building, simply walk up the stairs to the right to enter Brooks Hall, which is adjacent and open to the Meetinghouse. (There are greeters and bulletins at this entrance, too.) For those with difficulty with stairs, an elevator is available here.
When you enter the church, take a Sunday bulletin from one of our greeters, and you will have no trouble following along. All of the prayers are there, as well as the hymns we will be singing and numbers to be able to find them in our hymnal.