Salisbury UCC follows in the Congregational tradition by calling its leadership from those who are church members and active participants. Our Boards and Committees put our mission statement into action daily. Those are listed here, with descriptions of their ministries and those who are currently serving.
Standing Boards and Committees
Church Council
The Church Council provides leadership and coordination between meetings of the Congregation. Typically the Council has responsibility for general oversight and communication among church committees; convenes the annual nominating committee; issues calls to annual meetings.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Officers:
Betsy Beck, Moderator
Jennifer Weigel, Treasurer
Jenn Oberto, Clerk
Pastor John A Nelson
Board and Committee representatives
Board of Deacons: Lorna Edmundson
Board of Trustees: Janet Accardo
Board of Christian Action: Joanne Hayhurst
Board of Religious Education: Linda Estabrook
Music Committee: Malcolm Brown
Ushers Committee: tbd
Hospitality Committee: tbd
Members at Large:
Janet Kaufman
Peggy Heck
Mary Davidson
Ex-officio members:
Coordinator of Religious Education: Barbara Collins
Music Director: Samuel Lord Kalcheim
Board of Deacons
The Deacons are charged with nurturing the spiritual life of the Congregation and spreading God’s love.
Here are some of the ways Deacons manifest that charge:
Take responsibility for Sunday worship, ensuring the Meetinghouse is ready, preparing the elements for Communion, serving communion, lay reading, arranging for pulpit supply.
Assist, create and/or participate in Maundy Thursday Service, Deacons’ Annual Service and a service at Noble Horizons.
Strive to extend an extravagant welcome to new and returning friends with events such as Church School Opening Breakfast, Lenten Suppers and World Cafe Events.
Bring fellowship to members who do not/can not attend weekly church services. Reach out to members in need.
CURRENT DEACONS
Elected members:
Cynthia LaPier \’22
Sue Morrill \’22
Theresa Carroll \’23
Lorna Edmundson \’23
John Estabrook \’23
Kathy Mera \’23
Janet Kaufman \’24
Deborah Moore \’24
Jennifer Oberto \’24
Patricia Palmer \’24
Ex officio members:
Church Moderator Betsy Beck
Pastor John A. Nelson
Board of Trustees
There are 9 members that meet monthly. The church’s capital fund, annual budget, and annual appeal are part of this responsibility. A large part of the work is the maintenance of the meeting house, grounds, and the parsonage. The Board also is involved with the hiring and management of church’s employees. The Board decides on use of the parish hall and other contracts that may arise.
CURRENT TRUSTEES
Elected members:
Janet Accardo \’22
John Merwin \’22
Susan Hassler \’22
Ken Edholm ’23
Louise Brown \’24
Dan Edmundson \’24
Kerry Noble \’24
Ex officio members:
Moderator Betsy Beck
Treasurer Jennifer Weigel
Pastor John A. Nelson
Board of Religious Education
Responsible for working with the Coordinator of Christian Education to provide Christian faith formation and education opportunities for children and youth and their families.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Elected members:
Debby Mark \’22
Stephanie Tierney \’22
Linda Estabrook \’23
Jennifer Good \’23
Emily Elliot ’24
Ex officio members:
Coord. of Religious Education Barbara Collins
Church Moderator Betsy Beck
Pastor John A. Nelson
Board of Christian Action
Responsible for ensuring the church’s active participation in the wider world by spreading God’s love to our neighbors in need.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Elected members:
Brenda Boone \’22
Joanne Taber \’22
Barbara Wiggins \’22
Joanne Hayhurst \’23
Margie Vail \’23
Peggy Heck \’24
Leanne Larson \’24
Karin Noyes \’24
Ex officio members:
Church Moderator Betsy Beck
Pastor John A. Nelson
Emerita member:
Jano Fairservis
Music Committee
The Music Committee is responsible, along with the Pastor and Music Director, for the music ministry for worship services.
The music ministry endeavors to support the mission of the Church, which is to praise and glorify God and be intentional disciples of Jesus Christ. In this aim, the music ministry seeks to present the highest quality choral music and instrumental offerings, as well as incorporating other artistic expressions. The music ministry seeks to encourage people of faith in a variety of ways and to welcome people to our community to praise and worship God.
Some of the ways the Music Ministry seeks to accomplish this mission:
Provide musical leadership to enrich Sunday morning worship, special worship services, e.g. Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, funerals and other special events through choral and instrumental offerings.
Provide a rich and vital choir experience that fosters faith and caring for one another, encouraging non-church members to join the choir.
Support a vibrant bell choir that provides music for worship and the community as well as a caring fellowship within the ensemble.
Nurture and encourage talents and participation of young people in this ministry.
Collaborate with other churches and organizations in providing musical offerings as an act of hospitality, understanding, and outreach to our surrounding communities.
Encourage non-church members of the community to join these vibrant musical groups.
Senior Choir
The choir repertoire includes a broad range of music from Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Impressionistic, Twentieth and Twenty-First century eras. The choir sings for worship services during the traditional school year and participates in special services, concerts and outreach events during the year. The choir is open to singers from high school age through senior citizen.
Handbell Choir
An intergenerational bell choir is open to high school ages through senior citizen. This ensemble participates in special services during the year.
Special Music and Guests Musicians
Vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles enhance our worship services. Northwest Connecticut choirs, ensembles, and soloists often grace the Meetinghouse with their talents .
Summer Music
During the summer, a Summer Choir is offered once a month for interested singers. The choir rehearses on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 9:45am and then sings for the 10:00am service. Special music for the summer services is also provided by musicians from the congregation and area.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Elected members:
Malcolm Brown \’22
Peggy Hayes \’23
Emily Eliot \’23
Terre Lefferts \’24
Mary Davidson \’24
Ex officio members:
Music Director Samuel Lord Kalcheim
Church Moderator Betsy Beck
Pastor John A. Nelson
Ushers Committee
Ushers have the responsibility of preparing the Meeting House for worship each Sunday. They serve as greeters at the front door, distributing bulletins and warmly welcoming each person. During the service the Ushers receive the weekly offering and keep an eye out for anyone who might need assistance. Following the service, the Ushers restore the Meeting House to order by collecting used bulletins, straightening hymnals, closing doors and turning off the lights.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Elected members:
Deborah Moore \’22
Patricia Palmer \’22
Sharon Tingley \’22
Becky Belcher \’23
Ken Edholm \’24
Janet Kaufman \’24
Sarah Morrison \’24
Ex officio members:
Church Moderator Betsy Beck
Pastor John A. Nelson
Hospitality Committee
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Romans 15:7
The Hospitality Committee seeks to answer God’s call by creating a warm and welcoming environment in which congregants and visitors can create and nurture bonds of friendship.
Here are some ways the Hospitality serves the community:
Coffee Hour each Sunday after worship: members and guest volunteers provide coffee, refreshments, and a congenial atmosphere to promote fellowship and connection.
Special Events: receptions after special concerts and holiday events, and community gatherings like the recent Potluck luncheon.
Funeral Collations: after a memorial service, the committee provides refreshments and a comfortable setting for friends and families to visit.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Elected members:
Theresa Carroll \’22
Helen Scoville \’22
Sara Wardell \’22
Jane Capecelatro \’23
Lee Collins \’23
Lyndell Giffenig \’23
Alice Kent \’23
Linda Estabrook \’24
Ex officio members:
Church Moderator Betsy Beck
Pastor John A. Nelson
Church Delegates
Church Delegates are elected to represent the church in both the Litchfield North Association and the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Delegate:
Charles Noyes
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee prepares, emails and/or electronically communicates to each member of the church at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting a slate of nominees for Officers, Boards and Committees to serve for the term specified in the bylaws.
Elected members
Will be elected by the congregation at the Fall Annual Meeting.
Ex officio members:
Church Moderator Betsy Beck
Pastor John A. Nelson
Ad Hoc Boards and Committees
Designated Pastoral Search Committee
Following the departure of the Rev. Dr. Diane Monti-Catania in January, 2019, the Church contracted with the Rev. Dr. John A. Nelson to serve as its Designated-Term Pastor from April 1, 2019 to March 30, 2022. The Church’s contract with Pastor John is renewable, and states that he is eligible to be a candidate for the position of settled pastor.
Church Bylaws stipulate that when a pastoral vacancy occurs, the Board of Deacons will suggest persons to serve on a Pastoral Search Committee. The Church Council will consider those suggestions, adding and subtracting candidates, then present a slate of candidates to the congregation for a vote. The Church followed those procedures, culminating with a vote at a duly-called meeting of the congregation on April 11, 2021, when it named the following as members of the Designated Pastoral Search Committee:
Janet Accardo
Barbara Collins
Lorna Edmundson
Emily Elliot
Abby Gackenheimer
David Heck
Janet Kaufman
Jennifer Kronholm Clark
Jason Larson
Charlie Noyes
Karin Noyes
David Rich