About Us

MM We Are...

Rooted in the Past

Alive in the Present

Focused on the Future

Our Mission

United in Christ’s love, we welcome all — to find purpose, peace, hope and joy as a faithful community serving God, one another, and the world.

Our Vision

Live Your Faith: Pray Share Welcome

Who We Are

The Congregational Church of Brookfield is an

Open & Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ – a mainline Protestant denomination in the United States.

We Believe

Jesus Christ is Lord.

This belief is the central focus of our faith as a fellowship of growing Christians. We relish our history as Congregationalists with that long held tradition of the autonomy of each congregation . . . and the belief that each individual has a direct relationship with God.

One in Christ

We are a richly diverse people of God celebrating the unity we share in Jesus the Christ. While we affirm our individuality, we are thankful to be joined as a part of a fellowship, where “when two or three gather in Jesus name” God is found more fully in our midst.

A Ministry for You

We invite you to journey with us in the quest for meaning, hope, and purpose.

OPPORTUNITIES to SERVE

We love our church.

We consciously try to LIVE OUR FAITH, providing a place to study and pray, share our gifts and welcome all to a joyful life of discipleship and faith -- both within our church and beyond, in the wider community.

Our pastors are only part of the process.

Volunteers bless, enhance, and invigorate the life of this church as well.

Questions? Speak to a Team Captain, a pastor, or a member of the Nominating Group aka “Fishing Team”: Sally Markiewicz (chair), Jack Brown, Ron Geck, Jeanine Hanewicz, Linae Wutzl

Fellowship Team
...schedules Sunday coffee hour, Serendippers, and plans all-church and intergenerational events. If you are a “party planner” at heart or just like to hang around with fun people, you’ll really enjoy this committee. Join this fun group if you want to help them create fun, meaningful and delicious opportunities, uniting generations of members in our Congregation, in sharing our common bond in Christ.
Meetings: Third Tuesday - 7pm
Co-Captains: Monica Pondiccio & Elayne Schwartz

Christian Education (CE) Team

…facilitates educational experiences for all age groups, including nursery, church school, youth groups, confirmation, and adult education. During the past couple of years, this team has creatively shepherded youth and adult activities outdoors and online, and they’ve done it beautifully! If you enjoy sharing your faith and like to exercise your creativity, you’ll fit right in. Daycare is available!
Meetings: Second Wednesday - 7pm
Captain: Caitlyn Doenges

Stewardship Team
...participates in counting the weekly offering, runs the annual Stewardship Education campaign, and creatively involves all of us in prayerful consideration of our gifts and talents. If you enjoy numbers, creative marketing, or educating others, you will fit in beautifully with the Stewardship team. This group embodies our church motto,”pray, share, welcome.”
Meetings: Third Tuesday - 7pm
Captain: Jim Sugden

Board of Deacons

...serves communion, nurtures the spiritual growth of the congregation, and reaches out to congregants in various ways. They are “responsible” for a specific list of parishioners, and act as a “crisis team,” praying for members in need as well as offering spiritual and tangible support.
Meetings: First Wednesday - 7pm
Co-captains: Carol Ryan & Marie Immohr

Worship Team
...oversees all matters that provide for meaningful worship experiences both in and out of the meetinghouse. The Music and Flower committees are part of this Team. If Sunday worship is an important part of your week, please consider joining this committee.
Meetings: First Tuesday - 7pm
Captain: Kim Downey

Church House Team
...oversees and maintains the church building and grounds as well as the develops a criteria for usage by outside organizations of the facilities and properties
Meetings: Fourth Tuesday - 7pm
Captain: Ken Arifian

Church in Society (CIS) Team
...provides opportunities for mission and outreach to our congregation. Also, the committee distributes our apportionments to the UCC.
Meetings: First Tuesday - 7pm
Captain: Lyn Lyon

WelcomeTeam
...oversees care of Church marketing, welcomes new members at services, updates our social media pages, and schedules visitors gatherings. If you enjoy meeting others, or would like to help others find a smooth transition to membership, this is a great place for you. Marketing skills are a bonus! No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
Meetings: Fourth Tuesday - 7pm
Captain: Tom Young

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Christian Education

Baptism, Nursery Care, Youth Fellowship, Confirmation, Vacation Church School, Sunday Worship, and Adult Education are all a part of our never ending education at CCB. Click here for more.

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Open and Affirming Statement

Open and Affirming

To read our O&A statement, click here, or on the Rainbow fish above. For more information, talk to one of our Pastors.

Clergy and Staff

The Rev. Bryn Smallwood-Garcia, Senior Pastor

The Rev. Jennifer L. Whipple, Associate Pastor

Sean Lewis, Director of Music Ministries

Jeannine McCullough, Church Office Administrator

Barbara Crandell, Church School Coordinator

Debbie Marquardt, Nursery Care Provider

Committees

Click the tabs below to read about each committee.

Church House

Purpose

To oversee all matters concerning all church properties which include the church building, parsonage, barn, cottage, and grounds

What does the Church House Committee do?

Maintains church building and grounds
Approves and oversees facility/property use by outside organizations
Equips church kitchens with basic supplies
Oversees decorating and renovations of church buildings
Complies with local and state regulations

When do you meet?

4^th Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Upstairs Kitchen

Church in Society

What does Church in Society do?

CIS is responsible for communicating to the congregation local and worldwide social issues, outreach concerns or programs through events or education opportunities. The CIS Committee consists of 9 members of the congregation with one member on Church Council.

The programs that CIS supports and encourages involvement by the congregation are, but not limited to:

Refugee Resettlement Program
Mission Trips of the Men’s, Women’s and Youth groups
Pie making of which the proceeds assist the Women’s Mission Trip
Thrift Shop
Donate food or participate in preparing sandwiches for Loaves and Fishes in New Milford
The Blanket Fund
The Giving Tree
Food Drive in February
Yankee Fair
Dining for Women programs
Alternatives Gift Fair
SERVV
5 for 5 Donation opportunities

Church in Society allocates the budgeted and special monies raised for outreach concerns through some of the programs listed above.

Some of the ways you can you help CIS by working together to help serve our local community and the worldwide outreach programs:

You can volunteer to assist the family living in our cottage for Refugee Resettlement.

Purchase a pie or two for the holidays made to raise money for the Women’s Annual Mission Trip.

Donate your gently used clothing items to the Thrift Shop.
Donate towards the Annual Blanket Fund.
Purchase items from SERVV and the Alternatives Gift Fair
Take a tag or two off of the giving tree to purchase a gift or item on someone’s wish list
Donate Food in February to help fill the shelves at the local Food Pantry
Attend the Dining for Women monthly group
Participate in the Yankee Fair

If you have any questions, would like to suggest other outreach opportunities or to get involved. Please reach out to someone on the CIS committee.

Lyn Lyon (Chair), Luke Duval (Council Representative). The committee meets on the 1st Tuesday each month at 7pm in the Church Library.

Council

Church Council

Purpose

To serve as the Policy and Planning body of the church.

What does the Church Council do?

Plans how we can best be a Church of Jesus Christ.
Formulates Policy of the church.
Is responsible for the ordinary business of the church between congregational meetings.
Serves as the legal trustees of the church.
Prepares, recommends, and oversees the church's operating budget.
Is responsible for all personnel matters relating to church staff and pastoral relations.

When do you meet?

2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm, Brooks Hall
Members are always welcome to attend and observe the Council meetings. To be added to the agenda of the monthly meeting, please contact the Moderator

Committee Chairmen and Church Council Reps
Moderator:	Amy D'Alessandro
Vice Moderator:	Rodger Wutzl
Clerk:	Kristi McPadden
Treasurer:	Laurie Matson
Assistant Treasurer:	Lyn Lyon
Investment Treasurer:	Audrey Himebaugh

Church Council Representatives
Christian Ed	Wendy Elsen
Church House	John Mangold
Church-in-Society	Kristi McPadden
Deacons	John Pondiccio
Fellowship	Michele Ostrom
Nominating	Carolyn Lindroth
Stewardship	Wendy Elsen
Welcome	Beth Telesco
Worship	Kathy Wandelmaier
Historian	Bob Brown

Deacons

Purpose

To nurture and care for the members and friends of the church, and to nurture the congregation's spiritual growth and actively pray for its members and their concerns.

What do Deacons do?

Your Deacon Branch provides a way for you to have a specific member of the Board with whom to relate. If you have requests or concerns that you’d like to share with a lay person, your Deacon is available. Naturally, if you’re more comfortable calling one of the other deacons, or one of your pastors, please feel free to do so. Such requests or concerns might include:

a need for prayer
a request for help (transport to a doctor’s appointment, church function, etc.)
a sorrow (illness, accident, death)
a joy (a birth, graduation, upcoming wedding, etc.)
something that particularly pleases you, or would better meet your needs in the worship service

Remember, if you don’t know your Deacon, ask someone to introduce you. He or she will look forward to meeting you – in church or out!

When do you meet?

Deacons meet at 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of each month, on ZOOM and in person.

Deacon Branches 2023-2024

Ruth Allen

A-Bra

Ruth Reda

Bro-Con

Linae Wutzl

Coo-Dow

Sherrie Ruschmeyer

Dug-F

Richard Nyers

G-Ho

Jim Eagan

Hu-Lan

Celine Teagarden

Lap-Ma

Carol Eagan

McB-N

Marie Immohr

O-Ron

Leslie Sands

Ros-Sl

Carol Ryan

Sma-Ty

John Pondiccio

U-Z

Sasha Acosta

Youth Deacon

Education

Purpose

To provide educational opportunities for people of all ages in the congregation

What does the Christian Education Committee do?

Provides nursery care
Provides Church School
Coordinates Confirmation
provides Adult Education opportunities
Arranges "Time for Children"
Oversees youth groups
Supports Vacation Bible School
Coordinates special programs such as Annual Pancake Breakfast, Advent Wreath Workshop, Christmas Pageant, and Year End Family Picnic

When do you meet

2nd Wednesday of Each Month in Room 2, the Rainbow Room (childcare is provided)

Fellowship

Purpose

To provide the congregation with opportunities to share in fellowship

What does the Fellowship Committee do?

Coordinates Sunday morning coffee hours
Oversees Serendippers
Oversees Church Fair
Coordinates Christmas dinner for Pageant
Provides reception for grieving families
Provides reception for Special Chorus and other events (TBD)
Mails "Get Well Cards"
Book Club, Buccaneers and Saving Graces also fall under our umbrella

When do you meet?

3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm in Brooks Hall

LRPC

Long Range Planning Committee Purpose

LRPC was created to present ideas about the future of CCB and get input and feedback from the congregation'

When do you meet?

3rd wed of every month

Nominating

Purpose

To fill the positions of the standing committees and leadership positions

What does the Nominating Committee do?

Fills slate by Annual Meeting
Fills positions that open during the year
Develops church leadership
Supports and nurtures volunteers and committees
Provides an "Opportunity Fair"
Recognizes and celebrates volunteers

When do you meet?

3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Youth Room

Stewardship

Purpose

Providing year-long church wide programming to educate the congregation about stewardship and to conduct an annual campaign to support the budget

What does the Stewardship Committee do?

Establishes a program for raising money in support of the budget
Arranges for the counting, recording, and depositing of monies received
Furnishes quarterly statements of giving
Coordinates all types of giving including gifts of time, talent, and monies

When do you meet?

3rd Tuesday of each month in the Upstairs Kitchen

Share, and see God’s spirit spread!

The Stewardship Committee celebrates your decision to enter into covenant with us as members of the Congregational Church of Brookfield, and we thank you for all you are able to SHARE with us just by your worship attendance and participation in our church life. We always ask members to complete a financial pledge so that we can make an estimate of our church’s annual income to our Church Council for their preparation of a responsible and accurate budget. With the financial support of each of our members, giving from the blessings God has shared with each of us, our church is able to carry out the work and ministries Christ has called us to do.

We offer 3 ways to turn in pledges:

in the offering plate
by mail to:
Jeannine McCullough, Church Office
The Congregational Church of Brookfield
160 Whisconier Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
by E-mail

Pledging by E-mail is now an option, even if you are not an on-line giver. You can respond to Jeannine McCullough, Church Office, office@uccb.org

Worship

Purpose

To oversee all matters involving worship

What does the Worship Committee do?

Responsible for all services including Sunday, outdoor chapel, campfire, wedding, and memorial services
Responsible for the physical aspects of services including lighting, sound, and appearance
Subcommittees:

Music
Flowers
Ushers
Media Booth
Lay Readers

When do you meet?

1st Tuesday of each month at 7pm in Brooks Hall

Welcome

Purpose

To attract and welcome all and create a sense of openness

What does the Welcome Committee do?

Informs the community about the church
Welcomes all newcomers
Arranges for the joining of new members
and hosts the new member breakfast
Provides a list of those wishing to join the church to the Deacons

When do you meet?

4^th Tuesday of each month, at 6:30 pm in the Church Library

Click to edit

"If you could have seen the tearful eyes and heard the grateful words of thanks from the families as your donations were picked up, you would realize how deeply you have touched them"

About Us

OPPORTUNITIES to SERVE

Fellowship Team

Christian Education (CE) Team

Stewardship Team

Board of Deacons

Worship Team

Church House Team

Church in Society (CIS) Team

WelcomeTeam

Christian Education

Open and Affirming

Purpose

What does the Church House Committee do?

When do you meet?

What does Church in Society do?

Church Council

Purpose

What does the Church Council do?

When do you meet?

Purpose

What do Deacons do?

When do you meet?

Deacon Branches 2023-2024

Purpose

What does the Christian Education Committee do?

When do you meet

What does the Fellowship Committee do?

When do you meet?

Purpose

What does the Nominating Committee do?

When do you meet?

Purpose

What does the Stewardship Committee do?

When do you meet?

Share, and see God’s spirit spread!

Purpose

What does the Worship Committee do?

When do you meet?

Purpose

What does the Welcome Committee do?

When do you meet?

Brookfield Social Services