LOCE First United Church of Christ Northfield Minnesota Minister for Faith Formation Rachel Hackenberg Microsoft [Pick the date] 1
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE First United Church of Christ Northfield, Minnesota Minister for Faith Formation Minnesota Conference September 17, 2018 LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE CONTENTS Position Posting Who Is God Calling Us To Become? Who Are We Now? Who Is Our Neighbor? References Consent and Validation God is able to provide you with every blessing, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
1. POSITION POSTING a. LISTING INFORMATION b. SCOPE OF WORK c. COMPENSATION & SUPPORT d. WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US? 1a. LISTING INFORMATION Church name: First United Church of Christ Street address: 300 Union St. Northfield, MN 55057 Supplemental web links:www.firstucc.org Additional ecumenical affiliations (e.g. denominations, communions, fellowships): Conference: Minnesota Conference Association: UCC Conference or Association Staff Contact Person: Rev. Rick Wagner, Associate Conference Minister, rickw@uccmn.org, (952) 237-3070: Summary Ministry Description: First UCC is a progressive Christian voice for Northfield that is reaching outside its walls in powerful ways. First UCC has become a statewide leader in ISAIAH MN, a faith-based community organizing network. We are engaging political structures with our vision of a just world for all. We are also building on the success of our work with the Our Whole Lives comprehensive sexuality program. We want to share OWL with more youth in Northfield because we believe it teaches youth how to build better relationships. We are looking for a Minister for Faith Formation who is eager to form faith that leads to a just world for all and who is excited about the possibilities of using OWL as a centerpiece for ministry with youth. We are also looking for a pastor with generalist ministry skills. Our Senior Minister is running for the Minnesota House of Representatives, and if elected, his position will be reduced to 2/3 time. We also want the MFF to partner with our Congregational and Senior Ministers to share the work of leading worship and providing pastoral care.
What we value about living in our area (2 3 sentences): Northfield, MN is a unique small town of 20,000 people that is the home of two nationally recognized liberal arts colleges, Carleton, and St. Olaf. Forty-five minutes from the Twin Cities, Northfield is an amazing place to live. Current size of membership: 445 Languages used in ministry (other than English): We have an ASL translator in worship twice a month. Position Title: Faith Formation Minister Position Duration This position is constructed to help meet the ministry needs of First UCC while our Senior Minister serves in the Minnesota Legislature. First UCC is structuring this as a Designated Term position for three years. If our Senior Minister is not re-elected after a two year term, we will commit to this position one year beyond the end of the legislative term. If our Senior Minister continues to serve in elected office beyond the first two year term, ( i.e. if he is re-elected) we plan to extend this Designated Term position. The definition of a Designated Term position is below. Designated-Term a called position for a designated time period for a defined purpose, in which the pastor may move church membership to the congregation served and may move standing to the related association Compensation Level: 2/3 Time
Does the total support package meet conference compensation guidelines? Yes 1b. SCOPE OF WORK (add here the Scope of Work developed by your church using the Call Agreement Workbook) Faith Formation Minister Job Description QUALIFICATIONS: Ordained Minister in the UCC or other mainline Protestant denomination, or licensed minister in the Minnesota Conference of the UCC. Full Time Equivalent:.7 Duties and Responsibilities: Children s Faith Formation Build relationships with existing and new families. Maintain communication about faith formation opportunities with existing and new families. Develop and implement children s faith formation programming. Recruit lay leaders. Purchase and/or develop progressive Christian curriculum. With other ministers, assess and address children s faith formation needs at First UCC and evaluate results. Youth Faith Formation Build relationship with existing and new families and their youth. Maintain communication about faith formation opportunities with existing and new families and their youth. Complete Our Whole Lives leader training and help lead OWL and confirmation programming at First UCC. Facilitate the connection of supporting adults with youth that interact with First UCC programming. With other ministers, assess and address faith formation needs for youth at First UCC and evaluate results.
Adult Faith Formation Support and recruit leaders who are offering faith formation programming for adults at First UCC. Worship Leadership and Pastoral Care Provide worship leadership and pastoral care in cooperation with the Senior Minister and Congregational Minister This position reports to the Senior Minister Core Competencies: Collaborative: is able to work effectively on a staff team. Relational: is able to relate well to children, families, and people of all ages. Faithful: is a person of faith and is able to share that faith authentically with others. 1c. COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT Salary Basis (from the Call Agreement Workbook, equal to Cash Salary plus Value of Parsonage/Housing Allowance): $43,000 Benefits : Salary plus Benefits What is the expected living situation for your next minister? We expect the Faith Formation Minister to live nearby, and we will provide a housing allowance. Comment on the residential/commuting expectations for your next minister. We are open to the Faith Formation Minister commuting from another community. Describe peer and professional supports available for ministers in your association/conference:
The first thing the Faith Formation Minister will benefit from is serving on a three minister staff team at First UCC. There are clergy clusters in the Minnesota Conference, as well as opportunities to form Excellence Groups with a small number of other clergy with a facilitator. Professional Development is a high priority at First UCC. If applicable, describe how your church will adopt part-time adjustments in the pastoral schedule to support a minister s bi-vocational employment: This is a true 2/3 time position, not a full-time position masquerading as a part-time position. We are open to working with the new Faith Formation Minister to determine the work schedule that is the best fit for both of us. Our fulltime ministers are in the office Tuesday-Friday plus Sunday morning, and they work a few evenings per week during the program year. We will expect the Faith Formation Minister to be in worship on Sundays, but we will expect the Faith Formation Minister to be taking an additional 1/3 of the work week off. It may be that the Faith Formation Minister would like to work closer to full time during part of the program year and take extra time away during the summer. We are open to making a variety of schedules work. 1d. WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US? Describe the ministry goals you envision your next minister co-collaborating with the congregation to achieve. 1.We want the Faith Formation Minister to help us increase our capacity for ministry with youth, with an emphasis on building on our success with the OWL program. 2. We want the Faith Formation Minster to build relationships with families and children and help us revise our approach to Faith Formation with children. 3. The Faith Formation Minister position will go into effect if our Senior Minister is elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. As our Senior Minister s workload is reduced to 2/3 time, we want the Senior Minister, full-time Congregational Minister, and 2/3 time Faith Formation Minister to work together to meet the overall ministry needs of First UCC. Describe how your vision of the minister you are now seeking will assist the congregation in making an impact beyond its walls. We want to think creatively together about the faith formation needed in today s world that leads to creating a just world for all. First UCC has always been a congregation that goes beyond its
walls. We would now like to think about creative ways we might expand our reach with the programming we offer. There are no simple or easy answers for churches right now. We know some things we do well (like OWL) that we would like to expand. There are some questions we haven t answered yet, like how do we help families form faith? How should adults be formed so that they can be increasingly equipped to partner in the creation of a just world? We want to add a ministerial partner to the staff that is helping us address questions like these. Specify language requirements or culturally-specific capacities preferred in a next ministerial leader, and why those matter to the congregation s sense of calling. It will be important that our Faith Formation Minister feel comfortable in a college town. Our congregation has a close relationship to Carleton and St. Olaf colleges and is influenced by those academic environments. Based on what you have learned about who your church is, who your church s neighbor is, and who God is calling the church to become, describe four areas of excellence from The Marks of Faithful & Effective Authorized Ministry that your next minister will display to further equip the congregation s ministry in these areas. The four areas from The Marks of Faithful & Effective Authorized Ministry that will be particularly important for this position are listed below: 1. A lived faith showing love of God, trust in Jesus, and openness to the Holy Spirit. 2. A healthy awareness of strengths, weaknesses, and limits, and assumption of responsibility for one's body, mind and spirit. 3.The ability: to function as part of a team, to give and receive supervision, and to mutually equip and motivate the community of faith, 4.The ability: to analyze, evaluate, and integrate the biblical, historical, theological, and pastoral disciplines and practices in ways that contribute to fruitful and faithful Christian ministry. We are looking for person of faith who can demonstrate, in word and deed, the way one lives a life of faith now. How do we love God now? How do we place our trust in way of Jesus and stay open to the movement of the Spirit now? Demonstrating this life of faith appropriately will be foundational for developing trust and authority for leadership in this position.
We are looking for a minister with strong self-awareness. Ministry in this position will be complex and self-directed. A pastor who is able to build on strengths, share those strengths and become increasingly aware of weaknesses and limitations will be able to create a successful ministry. Ministering out of ones strengths and knowing one s limitations is important for a sustainable ministry. This minister will be stepping into a collaborative staff team. Pastors take responsibility for our roles, and seek to staff the church s ministry and problem solve together. We also are engaged in the continuous process of faith formation and leadership development with members of the congregation. We hope this collaborative spirit extends beyond the Ministerial Staff Team, to the rest of the staff, and to the congregation as a whole. As stewards of an ancient faith tradition, we are in a constant process of holding on and letting go. We hold onto that which is central to the faith, that gives meaning and deepens our connection to God. We let go of that which isn t helpful anymore. All the while we interpret the central themes of the faith for our time. This core theological work is very important for all aspects of the church s ministries, especially faith formation with all ages.
2. WHO IS GOD CALLING US TO BECOME? You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37 NRSV) Who is God calling you to become as a congregation? God is calling us to become a congregation that has even more of an impact outside our walls. We are called to create the Realm of God on earth. We want to form a faith that equips members to create a just world for all. In this time of great change in the church, we also want to begin taking the best that we offer, like Our Whole Lives, or discussions of white privilege, to the community. We can no longer rely on people coming to us. We have gifts to offer, and we need to go to where people are and share them. Describe how God is calling you to reach out to address the emerging challenges and opportunities of your community and congregation. Our congregation will be in an experiment over the next few years as we adjust to our Senior Minister s run for elected office. We will be adjusting to this new reality whatever the future holds. First UCC will be building on our work with ISAIAH MN to create an increasingly just and equitable state. We will be taking more of the good we do to the community because the community will not be coming to us in the same way going forward. We also want to be asking, how can everything we do, the formation we offer, our celebration in worship, equip us to create a just world for all? Working to answer this question will lead to new and exciting results.
3. WHO ARE WE NOW? You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39 NRSV) a. CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS b. CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS c. PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING d. CHURCH FINANCES e. HISTORICAL INFORMATION 3a. CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS Describe your congregation s life of faith. Below is First UCC s Core Values statement: First United Church of Christ is a progressive Christian voice for Northfield. As we live our faith together, these values help define what it means for us to be a progressive Christian church. Continuing Testament Social Justice Extravagant Welcome Caring for God s Creation These statements continue describe our faith. We believe in Continuing Testament, which we believe is a way of honoring the freedom of conscience central to the faith of Congregationalism. We believe that God is still speaking, and we listen for God s voice today and look for God s continuing revelation. We remain in conversation with our ancestors of faith about what is the heart of the word of God in the Christian faith and bring all that we know and have learned about history and science into that conversation. For First UCC, the center of the Bible is God s concern for justice. This is made clear in the Exodus, the Ten Commandments, the witness of the Prophets, the Psalms, and in the life and ministry of Jesus who stands on all that came before him. Being an Open and Affirming church is central to First UCC s identity and to our understanding of extending an extravagant welcome.
We also know that in this time, we must be witness to the importance of being good stewards of God s creation. We have a perspective to share that can help us through the ecological crises we face. We do not own the creation on which we depend, but we are stewards, renters. We must pass it on to generations yet to come. Describe several strengths or positive qualities of your congregation. First UCC is an extremely generous congregation. We are regularly the most generous giver to Our Church s Wider Mission in the Minnesota Conference of the UCC. We are deeply committed to social justice, and are partnering with other people of faith across the state to have an increasingly powerful impact. We are doing highly transformational programming with youth, and we are sustaining and growing our ministry in a time of great change for congregations. Describe what worship is like when your congregation gathers. Worship at First UCC is warm and welcoming, engaging the heart and the mind. The preaching connects what is happening in the world and in our lives with the deepest themes of the Christian faith. Music is valued at First UCC and congregational singing is woven into the service as a central expression of our worship. Describe the educational program/faith formation vision of your church. We want to form a faith that equips our congregation to create a just world for all. We have found some centerpieces for youth faith formation that we want to build on. We want to expand OWL to more youth and more age groups. We would also like to expand the education we have done around understanding whiteness and white privilege. Our children s faith formation needs some reimagining as we ask how we can equip parents and grandparents to be the primary formers of faith for their children. And, our adult faith formation is getting stronger each year as more leaders are getting involved and more small groups are bubbling up. We want to grow the number of adults engaged in small group ministry because we know it is there that they will both be formed and build relationship and connection.
Describe how your congregation is organized for ministry and mission. Four years ago, First UCC adopted a new policy governance model. We reduced the number of standing committees, the number of people on committees, gave decision making authority of matters of ministry to the Senior Minister and allowed ministries to bubble up based on the energy and initiate of members of the congregation. This model has worked very well for First UCC and our ministry has thrived. 3b. CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS Describe those who participate in your church. Is this number an estimate? (check if yes) Number of active members: 442 Number of active non-members: 100 x Total of church participants (sum of the numbers above): 542 Percentage of total participants who have been in the church: Is this numbere an estimate? (check if yes) More than 10 years: 375 x Less than 10, more than 5 years: 50 x Less than 5 years: 75 x Number of total participants by age: 0-11 12-17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Are these numbers an estimate? (check if yes) 71 45 10 9 63 67 54 89 70 Percentage of adults in various household types: Single adults ages 25-34: 10% Joint households with minors: 25%
Joint households without minors: 50% Single adults 35-64: 5% Single adults 65+: 10% Education level of adult participants by percentage: Is this number an estimate? (check if yes) High school: 5% X College: 50% X Graduate School: 35% X Specialty Training: 10% X Other (please specify): Percentage of adults in various employment types: Is this number an estimate? (check if yes) Adults who are employed: 47% Adults who are retired: 40% Adults who are not fully employed: 13% Describe the range of occupations of working adults in the congregation: First UCC reflects the academic environment in which it is in. Many work as the colleges, some as professors, more as staff. There are doctors and nurses, therapists, social workers, teachers, small business owners, including farmers. Some work for large corporations, some for local non-profits and state government. Describe the mix of ethnic heritages in your congregation, and the overall racial make-up. Most UCC congregations tend to describe themselves as diverse. Yet, the vast majority of UCC congregations are mono-cultural. What does diversity mean in your context? First UCC is predominately white. There are some same sex couples in the congregation and a few people who are deaf who attend on a regular basis.
3c. 11 YEAR MINISTRY REPORT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST ELEVEN YEAR CHURCH PROFILE BASED ON DATA REPORTED IN UCC YEARBOOKS C h u r c h #: A s s o c: 361200 434 Sch edul e: 0 First United Church of Christ Northfield MN 55057 AVG WEEKLY CHR ED/ CONFI CONF TRANSFE DEATHS OTHE R NET MEMB S ADDS- YE ATTENDA FAITH RMATI ESSIO R OR OR TRANS LOSSE REMO AR MEMBERS NCE FORM ON N REAFFIRM OUT S VED 2007 488 179 190 0 0 0 0 0 0 2008 491 179 183 13 5 16 9 44-19 2009 494 175 140 0 5 13 5 10 3 2010 445 168 69 15 5 9 4 74-49 2011 434 156 157 0 2 10 6 3 3 2012 434 156 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 2013 449 198 175 8 10 29 12 20 15 2014 411 198 175 4 0 3 18 27-38 2015 451 214 80 15 1 36 2 11 39 2016 448 230 98 0 1 11 4 11-3 2017 414 172 157 10 1 10 7 48-34
Y E A R CURREN T EXPENS ES CAPIT AL PAYM ENTS TOT OTHE R UCC GIVIN G BASIC SUPP % CURR LOCA PLEDGE S AND OFFERIN GS BASIC SUPP ORT TOTAL OCWM OTHE R GIFTS WIDER MISSION L TOTAL EXPEND 20 $352,710 $0 $62,643 $16,691 $79,334 $0 $79,334 17.76 $432,044 $0 20 $365,203 $0 $62,152 $29,541 $91,693 $8,344 $100,037 17.02 $465,240 $377,386 20 $344,926 $0 $61,336 $15,304 $76,640 $10,005 $86,645 17.78 $431,571 $307,209 20 $375,908 $0 $63,635 $6,134 $69,769 $9,230 $78,999 16.93 $454,907 $294,186 20 $331,904 $0 $48,451 $18,704 $67,155 $10,281 $77,436 14.60 $409,340 $538,204 20 $331,904 $0 $58,679 $13,922 $72,601 $0 $72,601 17.68 $404,505 $0 20 $361,301 $0 $60,074 $12,726 $72,800 $10,907 $83,707 16.63 $445,008 $427,584 20 $361,301 $0 $63,312 $15,453 $78,765 $0 $78,765 17.52 $440,066 $0 20 $376,956 $314,96 $66,663 $22,099 $88,762 $10,510 $99,272 17.68 $791,192 $842,706 20 $395,348 $357,10 $68,647 $17,323 $85,970 $6,697 $92,667 17.36 $845,118 $607,821 20 $425,119 $150,64 $66,282 $23,718 $90,000 $0 $90,000 15.59 $515,119 $583,108 % CHANG E 20 12-20 17 20 07-20 17 CHR ED/ FAIT H TOTAL TOTAL CURR TOT AL MEMBE AVG WEEKLY FOR ADDITI REMOV LOCAL OCW TOTAL RS ATTENDANCE M ONS ALS EXPENSES M EXPENDITURE -4.61 10.26 0.00 0.00 0.00 28.08 23.97 27.35-15.16-3.91-17.37 0.00 0.00 20.53 13.44 19.23 3d. PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING Complete the following chart. Please leave blank any fields that are not applicable to your congregation.
Ways of Gathering Estimated number of people involved in attendance Who plans each of the listed gatherings? (list any and all worship planners, such as various lay leaders, pastors, musicians, other staff) Adult Groups or Classes 30 lay leaders and sometimes a pastor Baptisms (number last year) 4 Children s Groups or Classes 50 Christmas Eve and Easter Worship 350 average Church-wide Meals 80 weekly from October - April Choirs and Music Groups 20 Church-based Bible Study 10 Communion (served how often?) 200 per month monthly Community Meals Confirmation (number confirmed last year) na 10 Drama or Dance Program 8 Funerals (number last year) 5 Intergenerational Groups 25 Outdoor Worship na Prayer or Meditation Groups 8 Public Advocacy Work 30 Retreats Theology or Bible Programs in the Community na na Weddings (number last year) 1 Worship (time slot: 10:30 ) 225 Worship (time slot: ) Young Adult Groups or Classes 15 Youth Groups or Classes 70
Other Additional comments: List all members or regular participants in your congregation who are ordained, licensed, or commissioned ministers. Indicate those with current United Church of Christ Three-Way Covenants (i.e. serving in a congregation) or Four-Way Covenants (i.e. serving in a ministry beyond a congregation). Name Three- or Four- Way Covenant? (3 or 4 or No) Ministry Setting Type of Ministry Role Retired? (Y or N) Jerry Hankins Y John Severson Y Gary Kasten y Jane Geffken Henderson Y Don Slaughter Y Robert Griggs Y If one or more previous pastors or retired ministers currently hold membership in the church, describe their role(s) in the life of the congregation: The Rev. Robert Griggs has served as an Interim and Sabbatical Supply Minister at First UCC. Otherwise, all other retired ministers are active members at First UCC, but do not and have not served First UCC in a ministerial capacity. List all current staff, including ministers. Exclude the position you are seeking to fill. Indicate which staffperson serves as head of staff. Staff Position Head of Staff? Compensation (full time, part time, volunteer) Supervised by Length of Tenure for current person in this position Senior Minister Yes Full time/will be 2/3 time 6 years
Congregational Minister no full time Senior Minister 5 years Office Manager no part-time Congregation al Minster 3 years Finance Manager no part-time Congregation al Minster 10 years Director of Music part-time Congregation al Minster 15 years Sprit Voices Director/Arts Coordinator part-time Congregation al Minister 17 years Organist part-time Congregation al Ministers 49 years Sexton part-time Congregation al Minister 6 years Child Care coordinator part-time Congregation al Minister 10 years Children s Choir Directors x 2 part-time Congregation al Minister 2 years REFLECTION Reflection: After reviewing the congregational demographics and activities above, what does this information reflect about your congregation s overall ministry? In comparison to other UCC congregations, First UCC is a very healthy and vital church. The congregation is generous, active, and all ages are represented. At the same time, First UCC is weathering the same storms as other churches due to our culture s changing relationship with organized religion. We need to continue to adapt, experiment and be as creative as possible to build on our ministry strengths in ways that are appealing and effective in today s religious climate. 3e. CHURCH FINANCES
Current annual income (dollars used during most recent fiscal year) Source Amount Annual Offerings and Pledged Giving 421,023 Endowment Proceeds (as permitted within spending policy, such as a cap of typically 4.5%-5% on total return) Endowment Draw (beyond what is permitted by spending policy, drawing down the principal ) 11.942 0 Fundraising Events 0 Gifts Designated for a Specific Purpose 0 Grants 0 Rentals of Church Building 14,960 Rentals of Church Parsonage 0 Support from Related Organizations (e.g. Women s Group) 0 Transfers from Special Accounts $ Other (specify): Unpledged donations 16,500 Other (specify):misc $12,700 TOTAL 462,468 Current annual expenses (dollars budgeted for most recent fiscal year): EXPENSES Personnel, Compensation Salaries & benefits for ministers and staff 324,542 Personnel, Other 9,000 Administration 19,015 Building Operation 83,497
Committees & Programs All Boards & Committees 14,440 Conference Dues & seminary support 11,975 TOTAL LOCAL EXPENSES 462,469 Considering total budgeted expenses for the year, compare total ministerial support. What is the percentage? 44% Has the church ever failed to pay its financial obligations to a minister of the church? No Is your church 5-for-5, i.e. does it include each of the following contributions during the church year? (indicate those included during the most recent fiscal year) x Our Church s Wider Mission (OCWM Basic Support) x One Great Hour of Sharing x Strengthen the Church xneighbors in Need xchristmas Fund In what way is OCWM (Basic Support) gathered? If calculated as a percentage of operating budget, what is that percentage? (recommended 10%) Members choose on their own what to give to OCWM. Current total is 15% What is the church s current indebtedness? $0 If a building program is projected or underway, describe it, including the projected start/end date of the building project and the total project budget. Capital Campaign has just been completed. If the church has had capital campaigns in the last ten years, describe:
Year(s) Purpose Goal Result Impact 2015-2018 AC/Masonry Restoration/Window repair/ Sound System/ Window Replacement 750K 1.1 million We completed repairs and improvements indicated. $ $ If a capital campaign is underway or anticipated, describe: Year(s) Purpose Goal Result Impact $ $ $ $ Does your church have an endowment? We have long term reserves. It isn t a true endowment but functions that way. What is the market value of the assets? $450,487 Are funds drawn as needed, regularly, or under certain circumstances? We have an annual draw that is calculated on based on the average in the reserves over the last 12 quarters. What is the percentage rate of draw (last year, compared to 5 years ago)? We just set the draw at 4% two years ago. At the current rate of draw, how long might the endowment last? The current draw is sustainable over the long term. Please comment on the above calculations or estimates:
Other Assets - Intermediate Reserves: 108 K Investments (other than endowment): NA Does your church have a parsonage? NO Describe all buildings owned by the church: Only the church building is owned by the congregation. Describe non-owned buildings or space used or rented by the church:na Which spaces are accessible to wheelchairs? (worship space, pulpit, fellowship space, facilities, etc.) All spaces but the chancel. Reflection: After reviewing the church s finances and assets described above, what does this information reflect about your congregation s mission and ministry? First UCC has moved into a much stronger financial position over the last 6 years. Due to the congregation s vitality and generosity, we are now able to take the step of adding staff capacity. 3f. HISTORICAL INFORMATION Name one to three significant happenings in the history of your church that have shaped the identity of your congregation. Add the most important event in the life of your church in the past 10 years. Shortly after being founded in 1856, members of the church organized themselves and submitted a successful bid for a Congregationalist College to be started in Northfield. What became Carleton College opened in 1866 thanks to our ancestors of faith at First UCC.
Responding to needs for social services in Northfield, members of First UCC organized and ran an office for social services out of the basement of the church. That office became what is now Northfield s Community Action Center. After a member of the congregation lost a son to the AIDS crisis of the 1980 s and early 1990 s, members started a conversation about becoming an Open and Affirming congregation. First UCC voted to become an Open and Affirming congregation in 1994 and also led conversations about human sexuality throughout Northfield. The commitment to be Open and Affirming is now being lived out in our work with the Our Whole Lives sexuality curriculum and a safe space for LGBTQ youth that has served 40 Northfield area youth this past year. In 2016 we voted to become a Sanctuary Congregation, a congregation that is willing to provide shelter to an immigrant facing an immediate threat of deportation. Describe a specific change your church has managed in the recent past. Starting in 2014, First UCC transitioned to a policy governance model. Our Council had been 22 members and it is now 7 members plus the Senior Minister. The Nominations Committee needed to fill over 100 slots for boards and committees and now they need to fill one third of that number. We now govern ourselves in a way that is similar to other non-profits. This has been a significant change for our congregation. It has freed us up for ministry and our congregation has thrived because of it. There are still members who grieve the loss of how the church used to be. Every church has conflict, some minor, some larger. Where two or three are gathered, there will be disagreement. Describe your congregation s values and practices when it comes to conflict. From 2010-2012 First UCC when through a staff restructuring that was highly contentious. Budget shortfalls drove the need for change. Many church members had close relationships or had sympathy for staff members whose positions ended. There was also a transition in lay leadership at the time that this crisis emerged. The younger generation of leaders and the elders in the congregation did not always agree on the best course of action. This staff restructuring was made more difficult by crises in pastoral leadership that happened at the same time.
The congregation has made it through this conflict, and it has learned how important good process is for the congregation as a whole. Attention to good process leads to less conflict and better results. Ministerial History (include all previous ministerial staff for the past 30 years) Staff member s name Years of service UCC Standing (Y/N) Rev. Phil Reller 1983-1989 Y Revs. David and Jane McMahill 1990-1995 Y Rev. Sandra Johnson 1997-2010 Y Rev. Todd Smith Lippert 2012- present Y Rev. Abigail Henderson 2013 - present Y Comment on what your church has learned about itself and its relationship with persons who provided ministerial leadership: We have learned that we can transition into new staff models and adjust our staffing structure to meet the emerging needs of the congregation. We did this in 2012, and we look forward to discovering the gifts of this new staff configuration. Has any past leader left under pressure or by involuntary termination? No Has your church been involved in a Situational Support Consultation? No Has a past pastor been the subject of a Fitness Review while at your church? No
4. WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR? You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39 NRSV) a. COMMUNITY VISION b. MISSION InSite 4a. COMMUNITY VISION How do the relationships and activities of your congregation extend outward in service and advocacy? First UCC is very outward focused. We are very engaged faith based community organizing through ISAIAH MN. We are committed to the Minnesota Conference and the United Church of Christ through our support for OCWM. We have the beginnings of a relationship with an orphanage in Santa Appalonia Guatemala, and we have taken two groups of adults and youth there. We also have been reaching out in our ministry with youth through the Safe Space we have been providing for LGBTQ youth in Northfield. Describe your congregation s participation in meetings, relationships and activities connecting the wider United Church of Christ (association / conference / national setting). First UCC sees the Minnesota Conference of the UCC and the UCC as a whole as a integral ministry partner. We have First UCC members who are very involved on the Pilgrim Point camp committee, and we have had a consistent presence through lay and ministerial leadership on the Conference Board of Directors. Many local churches love to tell the story of what they are doing in the community to transform lives. Some have identified certain aspects of their witness into the wider community using language shared with other UCC congregations. (Find more information as desired at ucc.org.) Check any statements below that apply to your UCC faith community. Accessible to All (A2A) Creation Justice Economic Justice Faithful and Welcoming God Is Still Speaking (GISS) Border and Immigrant Justice
Inter-cultural/Multi-racial (I M) _X_ Just Peace Global Mission Church X Open and Affirming (ONA) WISE Congregation for Mental Health Other UCC designations: Designations from other denominations None
Reflect on what the above statement(s) mean(s) to your community. Is your congregation interested in working toward any of the above statements of witness in the near future? We are very proud of our designation as an Open and Affirming Congregation. We have ministry activities in relation to caring for the environment and treating immigrants with dignity and mental health, but we have not pursued the above designations. Describe your congregation s participation in ecumenical and interfaith activities (with other denominations and religious groups, local and regional). We are involved in the Northfield Area Interfaith Association, and through ISAIAH MN are engaged in ecumenical and interfaith justice work. If your congregation has a mission statement, how does that mission statement compare to the actual time spent engaging in different activities? Our mission is rooted in three key actions: We seek God, we share our faith and our lives, and we serve our local and global community. Our activities are pretty well balanced between those three acts. Our central spiritual practice is worship, and a great deal of energy and effort goes into making worship a life-giving experience each week. Worship and coffee hour afterwards are also a central place where we share our lives with one another. We spend time in faith formation with children, youth, and adults which is seeking and passing on our faith to new disciples. We have a great emphasis on serving the world through our organizing and peace and justice efforts. Our governance work is focused on discernment of God s call, thinking strategically about how to live out our mission, and oversight of the mission. In other words, our governance supports our basic mission too. Reflect on the scope of work assigned to your pastor(s). How is their community ministry and their ministry in and on behalf of the wider church accounted for in the congregation s expectations on their time? We expect that our pastors will be engaged in both community ministry and in ministry on behalf of the wider church. We encourage our new Faith Formation Minister to follow the leading of the Spirit in determining the best ways to be involved in ministry in those areas.
4b. MISSION InSite Comment on your congregation s MissionInsite report with data for your neighborhood(s) or area. What trends and opportunities are shown? We have significant number of professionals who move to Northfield and people who move to Northfield to retire. We have an opportunity to be a place where new retirees to Northfield come to connect and find and build relationship. There is growing ethnic and economic diversity in Northfield, and we want to do a better job of stretching our welcome to include a broader segment of our community. How do your congregation s internal demographics compare or contrast to a) the neighborhoods adjacent to your church, and b) other neighborhoods with which your church connects? The neighborhood adjacent to our church is the oldest neighborhood in Northfield. We draw people from across the community and other communities as well. We attract people who are looking for a progressive Christian voice. How are the demographics of the community currently shaping ministry, or not? We are a church that largely serves professionals. This is a good fit for Northfield, and at the same time, professionals are more likely to be losing interest in participating in a religious community. Over time, it will be important for First UCC to stretch its welcome. What do you hear when you talk to community leaders and ask them what your church is known for? Our church is known as the church leading on action in the environment and other justice work. We are also know for our human sexuality programming. We have strengthened our social justice brand over the last five years. What do new people in the church say when asked what got them involved? Some have gotten involved through ISAIAH MN, and some through our Connect program for new members. Some are drawn to choir as the place where they build relationships and find a home. Some have entered into the life of First UCC through the Sunday evening service that was a part of our life for a few years.
5. REFERENCES REFERENCE 1 One of the most vital, faithful UCC churches in Minnesota if not the country, First Congregational of Northfield is exciting! Nothing boring about the place. The congregation has a passion for God s dream of compassion and justice and so it moves them--- moves them to take seriously the faith formation of their children; moves them to organize powerfully in the state for a caring and earth sustainable economy, moves them to give generously of their time, life energy, and their money. They are a hopefilled and bold community grounded in prayer and the stories of the faith. Plus, First Congregational is situated in one of the most beautiful college towns in the country. Rev. Sarah Campbell/ Senior Minister / Mayflower UCC (612) 824-0761 scampbell@mayflowermpls.org A pastor who knows the pastors and congregation well. REFERENCE 2 First United Church of Christ in Northfield is a leader in the Minnesota conference. Under Rev. Todd Smith Lippert s leadership and care, it has become a beacon in southern Minnesota standing for social justice, progressive faith and deep engagement with the spiritual needs of the people in the region. It is a healthy and vital inter generational congregation. They are doning important work on environmental justice beyond just greening their building and immigrant rights beyond just being a sanctuary church. It is outward focused providing support and safe space for GLBTQ youth in the community and offering new and diverse worship opportunities. One of its
challenges, like many progressive churches, is to be bolder in claiming its faith and clearer in defining what discipleship means. I am inspired by their prophetic witness, their willingness to ask honest questions, and their courage to be big in their community. Rev. Adam Blons / Senior Minister / Macalester Plymouth United Church 651-698-8871 rev.adamblons@gmail.com A pastor who knows the pastors and congregation well. First UCC is a vital and warm congregation that is eager to welcome a new Faith Formation Minister. Our Faith Formation Minister will be a key part of our strong Ministry Staff Team. Exciting ministry has been unfolding at First UCC over the last five years, and we can t wait to see where the Spirit will be leading us next!
6. CLOSING THOUGHTS a. CLOSING PRAYER b. STATEMENT OF CONSENT c. CONFERENCE/ASSOCIATION VALIDATION 6a. CLOSING PRAYER Holy Spirit, we ask for your guidance. In your mysterious way, lead us all through this chapter of discernment. Open the doors that need to be opened. Steady us in our restlessness. Help us trust that you will be present in and moving in this time. Help us trust that you will lead the church and its leaders towards what we need together. Amen.
6b. STATEMENT OF CONSENT
6c. VALIDATION BY CONFERENCE/ASSOCIATION The congregation is currently in good standing with the association / conference named. Staff Comment: True. This is a flagship church in the Minnesota Conference. To the best of my knowledge, ministerial history information is complete. Staff Comment: True. To the best of my knowledge, available church financial information is presented thoroughly. Staff Comment: True. My signature below attests to the above three items. Signature: Name / Title: Rev. Richard Wagner Email: rickw@uccmn.org Phone: 612-871-0359 Date: Sept. 26, 2018
This document is created through support to Our Church s Wider Mission (OCWM) and is only possible through the covenantal relationships of all settings of the United Church of Christ. Jesus answered them, Have faith in God! Mark 11:22