Ministries

The Ministry to Members and Friends serves our congregation by addressing a wide range of church and individual needs.

The Ministry:

Supports Sunday Morning activities by facilitating Adult Forum, childcare, and our sound system
Cares for members via transportation and prayer, and with programs specially designed to welcome newcomers
Organizes our Connections program, which provides a contact for every congregant to share both concerns and celebrations.
Provides hospitality by coordinating our weekly coffee hour following worship and our monthly fellowship supper
Helps with church administration through maintaining the church library and staffing the reception desk

The Ministry:

Hosts the Walter E. Ashley Memorial Lecture Series, which brings leading progressive theologians to Hendersonville
Connects with local print and broadcast media to invite community participation in church programs and to share meaningful milestones
Maintains the church website to ensure that current, relevant information is available to the broadest possible audience
Researches charitable organizations and donates 16 percent of the church’s offerings to those most consistent with Jesus-centered principles through the Missions and Service team
Supports member participation in such local initiatives as the Hendersonville Rescue Mission, the Hunger Walk, the Hunger Coalition, and Feed the Kids
Identifies and acts on social justice concerns including advocacy, the environment, gun control, homelessness, immigration/inclusivity, and mental health

The Ministry:

Cultivates the church’s vegetable garden, which yielded more than 1,000 pounds of produce for the Interfaith Assistance Ministry food bank last year
Prunes and weeds around the plantings that enhance our property
Maintains First Congregational’s beautiful Memorial Garden
Decorates our building’s interior, including artwork
Oversees use of the church kitchen and maintains its cleanliness and safety
Performs repair and remodeling work within our capacity
Organizes and participates in annual work days to assist our custodians with special cleaning and touch-up jobs
Helps select contractors for major projects such as roof replacement and solar-panel installation

The Ministry of Financial Resources handles church finances for the good of our fellowship and our neighbors in the community.

Ministry members have opportunities to influence church direction, to engage with others across the congregation, and to enhance the church’s well being by touching every aspect of its activities.

The Ministry of Financial Resources meets on the Tuesday before the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 in the church library. Church members and friends alike are welcome.

The Missions and Service group expresses First Congregational’s commitment to love and serve our neighbor, as Jesus teaches, and to effectively steward the resources entrusted to our care. The church donates 16 percent of its offerings to organizations that help those in need. Missions and Service also encourages in-kind contributions and hands-on work from the congregation.

Our group:

Researches the performance of local, national, and international organizations and recommends allocations
Develops relationships with organizations that can educate the congregation about those in need
Matches financial contributions made by parishioners
Assesses the impact of donations

Missions and Service members experience the joy of giving, develop new relationships both within and outside the congregation, and support the church’s mission to serve our neighbors near and far. The Missions and Service group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 in Fellowship Hall. Church members and friends alike are welcome.

I am grateful to belong to a church that donates 16 percent of its offerings to charitable organizations and takes strong stands on social justice issues.

Robert Miles