Frequently
Asked Questions
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on the blue
square next
to the question or scroll down the page
to find the answers.
How large is South Church?
Do I have to be a member to participate?
What if I do want to join?
How do I have my baby baptized?
Do you perform weddings for people who are
not members?
How can I get to speak to one of the ministers?
Can you tell me about the Sunday School that
South Church offers?
How do I register my children for Sunday
School?
And what about ministry to youth?
Can anyone sing in the choir?
How do I get weekly envelopes?
Do you have a newsletter, and, how do I get
on the mailing list?
How is South Church organized?
Why are there two Congregational churches
in Granby?
How can I get one of those beautiful afghans that
South Church sold for their 125th anniversary?
How can I find out more?
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How large is South Church?
The
number changes constantly as we continue to grow! We are currently
a congregation with 517 adults and 167 children.
If our past is any indication of our future, that number
will likely
be larger a year from now, and larger yet again in two
years. In comparative terms, this puts us in the 90th percentile
of all UCC churches; that is, we are larger than 90+ percent
of all congregations in the UCC. Back
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Do I have to be a member to participate?
Absolutely
not! We welcome you fully, member or not. And we try hard
to walk
the tender line between “pressuring” people
to join and wanting to be sure that people feel genuinely
invited into full membership. Back
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What if I do want to join?
New members are received into the church family three times a
year: on the first Sunday in Advent, on a Sunday during Lent,
and on Pentecost.
Prior to joining, the Ministers, Board of Deacons, and Board
of Membership collaborate to provide a new member orientation
session. These sessions involve getting to know others
who are new to us, viewing a slideshow portraying many dimensions
of
life at South Church, and learning more about our ministry
and how we go about it.
Once a person has decided to become a member, a mentor is assigned
from our Board of Membership. The mentor's role is simply
to become a companion in the church who will help you to know
all about us, and also to feel at home. Back
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How do I have my baby baptized?
Baptisms
are arranged by making a phone call to the church
office. We will mail you a brochure that we have put together
entitled "Baptism at South Church." A visit with
one of our Ministers usually follows either at the church
or at your home. At that time he will help you to know about
what baptism means in our tradition and how we go about
it
at South Church. He will also tend to practical matters,
like taking a look at the calendar and finding a date that
works
for you and for your family. Back
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Do you perform weddings for people
who are not members?
Yes and no!
The “yes” part is that we are always willing to talk
with a couple about the possibility of a wedding at South Church.
In fact,
we look forward to the opportunity to serve our members
and the wider community in this way.
The “no” part is that there are times when our Ministers
are not available due to other commitments. There are also
times
when
families wish to use our church building but would like
simply to have a civil ceremony in our sanctuary. On such occasions
we respectfully decline.
The best way to find out about your wedding and our
services is to call and inquire! Back
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How can I get to speak to one of the ministers?
Simply
make a phone call to the church office. One of our Ministers is
always available, and, if at the time of your call he is otherwise
engaged, your call will be promptly returned. In the case
of
personal distress or pastoral emergency you can be assured
of a timely response. Back
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Can you tell me about the Sunday School that South Church offers?
We sure
can! We are pleased and proud to tell the story! Our Sunday School
is provided during the 10:30 AM. Sunday Morning Worship.
The service offers a traditional
format of a single class for each grade. See our Christian
Education web page.
Our Sunday School is staffed by volunteers with two teachers
in each class. Over the course of the year more than 40 adults
give their time in this way. The teachers are provided support
by a team of Sunday School Superintendents, who in turn are provided
support by our Associate Minister. Back
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How do I register my children for Sunday School?
A
phone call to the church office will get the process going.
From there either the Associate Minister or one of the
Superintendents will help you to sign your child up. Another
way is simply to come on Sunday morning and ask one of the
Ministers
or a Sunday School Teacher for assistance. Back
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And what about ministry to youth?
Ministry to our youth at South Church is provided under the direction
of our Associate Minister, Mark Diters. We are pleased to provide
a Junior High Youth Group, a Senior High Youth Group, and an ongoing
Confirmation Program each year.
A special delight to the young people is that we provide a designated
space for our Youth Programs in the main building. They
have a foosball table, ping-pong, and a jukebox with some great
tunes. This is called the Gathering Room, and it is their special
place. Back
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Can anyone sing in the choir?
Yes!
Well, almost yes, anyway! We assume that those interested
can carry a
tune! Our choir is a blend of talent, dedication
and harmony. We have folks in the choir at every level
of "musical
expertise" – from those who simply enjoy singing
to those who are quite accomplished. Visit the Music
Ministry web page. And the best way to learn more
about any part of our Music Program is to speak directly
to Bruce Porter, our Director of Music. Back
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How do I get weekly envelopes?
Weekly envelopes are provided to any who make a financial pledge
to the church during our annual pledge drive. They are distributed
during the latter weeks of December for use on a calendar year
basis, that is, from January to December.
Envelopes are also provided to those who have not pledged but
would like the discipline of envelopes to encourage their contributions.
A simple call to the church office will ensure that you receive
them. Back
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Do you have a newsletter, and, how do I get on the mailing list?
Our
newsletter, The SouthWind, is
one of the best ways to keep up with the many happenings
around South Church. It is mailed
on the first and fifteenth of each month, with the exception
of the summertime. If you would like to be on the mailing
list, speak to one of our Ministers
or
make a call to the church office. Back
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How is South Church organized?
Our
congregation is volunteer driven, supported and led by members
of our staff. So the first answer to this question is that
we organize and provide the necessary structure by relying
on a
large number of volunteers. All of our Sunday School staff,
Chancel Choir, Handbell Choirs, and the work of our Committees
and Boards
is provided by the talent, time, and energy volunteered
by our members.
One of the great strengths of the Protestant faith is the
priesthood of all believers – meaning everyone has
a role to play in the ministry of the church. It's also
a part of the congregational
polity of the church, that is, how we govern ourselves.
As far as the necessary structure, we organize the work of our
congregation into various Boards and Committees. Membership on
these Boards and Committees is by invitation of the Board of
Stewardship who also serves the function of nominating members
to these positions. Terms of membership on Boards and Committees
is for three years, with the possibility of serving a second
term if desired.
In all there are eight Boards and two Committees in our structure.
The Boards are: Deacons, Christian Education, Stewardship,
Christian Concern, Membership, Music, Fellowship, Finance, and
Property.
Our Committees include Personnel and Steering.
If you add them all together and remove any duplicate counting,
this translates to the volunteer leadership and support of 82
people! We are blessed to have so many talented people giving
of themselves for the good of South Church!
Now that you mention the word personnel, who is our staff?
We currently have five staff serving South Church including both
full time and part time folks. Please see the Ministers/Church
Staff web page to
help you to become acquainted. Back
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How
can I get one of those beautiful afghans that South
Church sold for their 125th anniversary?
The Granby Afghan is available in Maroon/Ivory or Navy/Ivory;
Cost = $45.00 each
Contact Joan Schramm, at South Congregational Church:
(860) 653-7289, for more information. Read more information
about the Granby Afghan. Back
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How can I find out more?
Any
of our staff, or anyone serving on any of our Boards and
Committees would be happy to respond to your questions. A
call
to the church office (653-7289) will help to direct your
further questions to exactly the right place. Back
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