Programs - Kingston Congregational Church (UCC)

K I N G S T O N C O N G R E G A T I O N A L C H U R C H

Programs

WORSHIP

•	Weekly Service of Worship, with music to lift your spirit, messages to relate the Bible to everyday life, and significant lay involvement.
•	Baptisms
•	Receptions of New Members
•	Confirmation Sunday, with Presentation of Verses and Conference Minister preaching
•	Christmas Eve Family Service and Pageant
•	Christmas Eve Communion Candlelight service
•	Maundy Thursday Supper and Service of Tenebrae and Communion
•	Good Friday service
•	Lenten Lunch and Worship Services with the Kingston area churches
•	Casual Sundays on the Sundays after Christmas and Easter
•	Evening services of worship and prayer in times of national crises
•	Recognition of Boards, Council, Choir, Teachers
•	Opportunity for all to serve as an usher, greeter, or lay reader

MISSION & SERVICE

•	The Church gives $40,000 away to purposes outside of the church, PLUS six special offerings, a monthly Pastor’s Samaritan Fund offerings, memorial gifts to the Sanctuary Fund, and gifts-in-kind to community organizations. Well more than ten percent of KCC income goes to needs outside of the Congregation.
•	Welcome House (local shelter) meals served or donated by volunteers
•	Habitat for Humanity – active financial and volunteer participation on part of church.
•	Boy Scout Troop 1 - Kingston
•	Use of facilities by community groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, community musical groups, and others.
•	Annual Emig Lecture by guest speaker on theme of social justice.

2012 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP TEAM - "Giving from a Grateful Heart"

	*Leadership Team:*
•	Pastor:	Rev. Dr. L. Weldon Palmer
•	Honorary Chairs:	Linda and Angelo Mendillo
•	Working Chairs:	Karin Aukerman and Ann Lenox
•	Visitation Co-Chairs:	Sue Kermes and Steve Davis
•	Team Captains:	Tracy Heffron, Jean Miller, Brad and Erin Trodson, Paul Schubert
•	Visitors:	Sue Berman, Clark Bridgman, David Cann, Doris Findlay, Jim Findlay, Connie Fitzelle, Dave Heffron,Carolyn Henn, Doug Krause,Chris Little, Mike McMahon, Jeff Richardson, Wayne Svehlik, Sarah Simeone, Michael Wakefield, and Jack Whitehead
•	Telephone Committee:	Jane Skogley, Chair
•	Treasurer:	Ken Kermes
•	Hospitality Co-Chairs:	Nancy Ross and Loretta Shaw (March 4 training event)
		Sue Buntz and Sharon Davis (March 11 Church Brunch)
•	Office Team:	Shirley Schock and Cathy White

	*Steering Committee: (Includes Stewardship Committee)*
	Chairman: David Cann, Chairman of the Board of Stewardship
	Karin Aukerman	Paul Jacobs	Rev. Weldon Palmer
	Clark Bridgman	Ken Kermes	Chris Little
	Steve Davis	Sue Kermes
	Tom Heald	Ann Lenox

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

•	Family life activities include All-Church Picnic at the Beach, Progressive Dinner (with more than 100 participants), Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Fall Festival Lunch and activities, Advent Workshop.
•	KCC Auction
•	Church suppers
•	Kingston Day
•	Spontaneous groups and activities spring up from time to time, such as an informal group of a couple dozen who meet after worship for brunch and to discuss the service.
•	Church Leaders Retreat
•	Cruises: Caribbean, Alaska, Baltic

CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER

•	Casserole crew delivers meals for those hospitalized, death in family, baby, etc.
•	Deacons deliver Home Communion to shut-ins
•	Pastor’s Samaritan Fund to help those facing difficult times
•	Prayer Chain
•	Fellowship Coffee Hour after worship
•	Visiting Committee supplements Minister's visits
•	Blue Jeans Sundays - work days (come to worship in jeans, stay to work a couple hours)

CHILDREN

•	The Kingston Congregational Church is a church for children, where they are welcomed, included, and cherished.
•	96 children registered for K-6 Church School classes
•	Teacher training classes and meetings
•	Newly painted and tiled classrooms
•	Weekly time in worship for "A Time with the Children"
•	Weekly activity packets
•	Christmas pageant, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
•	Vacation Bible School
•	Activity Time for children K-3 during summer worship
•	Participation in Heifer project

YOUTH

•	Active JUNIOR HIGH and SENIOR HIGH youth groups with energetic and creative advisors
•	Mission trips
•	Discussions with Interfaith participants
•	Pool parties, fund-raisers, trips, hay rides, attend sports events, pizza parties
•	Junior High meet with advisor after church for bagels and discussion
•	Year-long Confirmation class, led by Senior Pastor and his guests.
•	Youth may serve on church Boards, sing in choir, teach in Church School, attend Conference and UCC meetings, and participate in worship as readers, ushers, and greeters.

ADULT EDUCATION

•	Four courses of Adult Education each year
•	SERMON TALK BACKS held during the year, to allow members to discuss, debate, argue, or hear what others think.
•	Second Hour programs following worship
•	Bible studies and book discussions taught by Pastor or lay leaders
•	Weekly Bible study led by lay leaders
•	Weekly Spirituality Book Discussion led by lay leaders

GROUPS

•	Women’s Fellowship – Pot luck suppers, planned educational and spiritual programs, Mother-Daughter luncheon, Bulb Workshop to make plants for shut-ins, Church World Service meetings and events, bake sale, ice cream social, Christmas dinner. Provide transportation for those in need.
•	Men’s Fellowship – new group starting up

MUSIC

•	World renowned composer and organist as Music Director
•	Musical selections often composed, performed, and/or directed by the Music Director
•	Active Senior Choir singing a wide variety of music
•	Piano, organ, and chimes a regular part of the services. These instruments are often enhanced by strings, recorders, brass, and percussion
•	Concert quality music throughout the Sunday services concluding with the postlude
•	Junior Choir practices weekly for monthly participation in worship
•	Youth Choir of teens supports selections
•	Outstanding Concert Series developed by the KCC Concert Committee
•	Music integrated into most aspects of KCC life
•	Appreciation by the congregation for all the talented KCC and guest musicians

SENIOR PASTOR

•	Lead Worship
•	Funerals and Memorial Services
•	Weddings
•	Visit members in homes, hospitals, nursing homes
•	Counseling
•	Teaching
•	Support and guidance for Council, Boards, Committees
•	Service to UCC and wider community

GOVERNANCE

•	Church Council
•	Board of Deacons
•	Board of Trustees
•	Board of Christian Education
•	Board of Mission & Social Justice
•	4 QUARTERLY ALL-CHURCH MEETINGS
•	Annual All Board Meeting in February and September

COMMUNICATIONS

STAFF

THE WIDER CHURCH

•	Denomination:	United Church of Christ (5,850 churches, 1.3 million members)
•	Conference:	Rhode Island Conference (33 churches, 7,300 members)

VITAL SIGNS