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First Church of Christ Congregational
Bethany
CT
06524-3000
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Who we are
Bethany First Church ABCs:
Actively Making a Difference
Building an Inclusive Community
Connecting People with God and Each Other
Our Mission
Bethany UCC is a fully inclusive community of Christian faith. We are a congregation dedicated to building and strengthening connections to God, one another, and the needs of our neighbors.
Our Vision
Taking seriously Jesus’ instructions to Love God and Love Others, Bethany UCC seeks to be a community of love. We wish to see lives changed for the better through faith formation and exploration, deepened community ties, and acts of service to those in need, in our community and around the world.
2020 Goal #1: Community
We wish to see at least four new small groups form, with 8-15 members in each (an average of 12 per group). Groups will be a place for community building and faith formation. As groups form, at least half will be primarily focused on acts of service to the community.
2020 Goal #2: Faith Exploration
Our congregation has expressed a specific passion to re-engage (or engage for the first time) those who are not presently active in a faith community, particularly among younger generations. Since this is not presently happening in our church, some new things will need to be done In order to achieve this desire.In conjunction with interested parties, the pastor will work to create opportunities for faith exploration. Two such opportunities will be offered per month (either two different things each once/month, or one twice/month) for an initial trial period of 6 months.
2020 Goal #3: Refugees
Partnering with other community organizations, particularly IRIS, we will assemble a team to work toward resettling refugee families in our local area. Since refugee families require easy access to public transportation, resettlement within the Bethany town limits is not an option, so we will seek housing in nearby areas – such as the border of Woodbridge and New Haven – where our support network is enhanced by local infrastructure. According to the IRIS website, the total cost for a community organization such as ours to resettle one refugee family is $6,000-10,000.
2020 Goal #4: Food and Fellowship
The church will continue its newly developed practice of monthly fellowship meals. Additional opportunities for fellowship outside of Sunday Morning and Small Group gatherings will be made available at least quarterly. Opportunities might include (but are not limited to) coffee houses, movie nights, breakfasts, camps/retreats, “field trips,” etc. So long as our two congregations remain yoked, at least one of these quarterly events should be planned in conjunction with South Congregational Church in Waterbury Increasingly
Actively Making a Difference
Building an Inclusive Community
Connecting People with God and Each Other
Our Mission
Bethany UCC is a fully inclusive community of Christian faith. We are a congregation dedicated to building and strengthening connections to God, one another, and the needs of our neighbors.
Our Vision
Taking seriously Jesus’ instructions to Love God and Love Others, Bethany UCC seeks to be a community of love. We wish to see lives changed for the better through faith formation and exploration, deepened community ties, and acts of service to those in need, in our community and around the world.
2020 Goal #1: Community
We wish to see at least four new small groups form, with 8-15 members in each (an average of 12 per group). Groups will be a place for community building and faith formation. As groups form, at least half will be primarily focused on acts of service to the community.
2020 Goal #2: Faith Exploration
Our congregation has expressed a specific passion to re-engage (or engage for the first time) those who are not presently active in a faith community, particularly among younger generations. Since this is not presently happening in our church, some new things will need to be done In order to achieve this desire.In conjunction with interested parties, the pastor will work to create opportunities for faith exploration. Two such opportunities will be offered per month (either two different things each once/month, or one twice/month) for an initial trial period of 6 months.
2020 Goal #3: Refugees
Partnering with other community organizations, particularly IRIS, we will assemble a team to work toward resettling refugee families in our local area. Since refugee families require easy access to public transportation, resettlement within the Bethany town limits is not an option, so we will seek housing in nearby areas – such as the border of Woodbridge and New Haven – where our support network is enhanced by local infrastructure. According to the IRIS website, the total cost for a community organization such as ours to resettle one refugee family is $6,000-10,000.
2020 Goal #4: Food and Fellowship
The church will continue its newly developed practice of monthly fellowship meals. Additional opportunities for fellowship outside of Sunday Morning and Small Group gatherings will be made available at least quarterly. Opportunities might include (but are not limited to) coffee houses, movie nights, breakfasts, camps/retreats, “field trips,” etc. So long as our two congregations remain yoked, at least one of these quarterly events should be planned in conjunction with South Congregational Church in Waterbury Increasingly
Street Address
511 Amity Rd
Bethany,
CT
06524-3000
United States
Phone: (203) 393-3116
Fax: (203) 393-3116
Download First Church of Christ Congregational vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Rev. Shea Zellweger
Pastor
511 Amity Rd
Bethany,
CT
06524-3000
United States
Phone: (203) 393-3116
Fax: (203) 393-3116
Download Pastor Rev. Shea Zellweger vCard
Quote of the Day
Psalms 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Denomination
United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ churches in Bethany, Connecticut, United States
United Church of Christ churches in Connecticut, United States
United Church of Christ churches in United States
All churches in Bethany, CT
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Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Shea Zellweger
Leader Position:
Pastor
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Fax:
(203) 393-3116
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First Church of Christ Congregational Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Karolina Wojtysko
Admin Position:
Office Administrator
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Fax:
(203) 393-3116
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First Church of Christ Congregational Bethany Service Times
Service - Sundays 9:30 am
We may have a vintage worship style, but there’s nothing “traditional” about it! The first time you’re invited to greet those around you, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. And by the time service is over, you won’t be sure what you loved more: the creative music, the inspiring sermons, or the feeling that this is a community where you belong.
Service Times last updated on the 15th of January, 2018
We may have a vintage worship style, but there’s nothing “traditional” about it! The first time you’re invited to greet those around you, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. And by the time service is over, you won’t be sure what you loved more: the creative music, the inspiring sermons, or the feeling that this is a community where you belong.
Service Times last updated on the 15th of January, 2018
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
KIDS CHURCH
There’s nothing more important than our children. Our Kids Church rooms will be an instant hit with your little ones, and make you wish you were young enough to stay. Kids Church is open to anyone from age 3 to 6th grade, and children under 3 are welcome to visit the nursery. We staff our program with caring, well-trained, background checked leaders who make sure all children stay safe, have fun, and leave knowing God loves them.
There’s nothing more important than our children. Our Kids Church rooms will be an instant hit with your little ones, and make you wish you were young enough to stay. Kids Church is open to anyone from age 3 to 6th grade, and children under 3 are welcome to visit the nursery. We staff our program with caring, well-trained, background checked leaders who make sure all children stay safe, have fun, and leave knowing God loves them.
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
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First Church of Christ Congregational Photo Gallery
First Church of Christ Congregational History
The present Congregational Church was built in 1831, the same year as the old Meetinghouse was removed from Meetinghouse Hill on now Dayton Road. Much of the material from the old building was incorporated into the new building. The Church was designed by Ira Atwater, but it has been said that David Hoadley, the distinguished architect, sat on the advisory committee.
It is a typical New England Meetinghouse, airy and simple with eight windows on each side. The bell was installed in 1851 and in the renovation of 1866 the wide portico across the front was enclosed to enlarge the vestibule, the interior galleries were lowered, the windows in the back removed, and the old pews with doors were replaced. Some of the pew doors are preserved in the wainscot of the present choir loft. The handsome chandelier incorporated an early kerosene lamp wired for electricity. The lantern hanging outside the main doors is said to be original and a string of dog-tooth moulding appears in the frieze on the facade.
The steeple was repaired in 1930 and in 1931 the church was moved back a number of feet when Amity Road was widened. Redecoration of the interior and the installation of central heating in 1949 was followed in 1963 and 1970 by further renovations.
Church History
The histories of Bethany and the Bethany church are intertwined, which is to be expected of a Connecticut town and a church whose origin goes back to pre-Revolutionary times.
The territory of Bethany was included in a purchase made from the Indians on behalf of the town of Milford and New Haven.
A petition to the General Assembly in 1762 by the people living in the northern part of the Woodbridge Parish says that “by reason of the length of the parish from the north to the south, those living in the northern part of the parish were much inconvenienced to attend public worship on account of the great distance to travel.” They prayed for the parish to be divided. Permission was granted that same year and Bethany was incorporated as a parish. It became a town in 1832 and the present town of Bethany boundaries follow the same lines as the old parish lines.
A meeting house was built in 1769 about one mile south of the present building. Between 1762 and 1769, winter services were held in a school house. The present house was erected in 1831 and has been kept much as it was originally built. A fine parish building was attached to the rear of the church in 1954.
The church has not been without the usual old parish difficulties. In the early 1800’s there was a split and about half the members left to become Episcopalians. In 1830, a number of Congregationalists and Episcopalians left the old churches and started a Methodist Church which was abandoned in the 1950’s.
It is a typical New England Meetinghouse, airy and simple with eight windows on each side. The bell was installed in 1851 and in the renovation of 1866 the wide portico across the front was enclosed to enlarge the vestibule, the interior galleries were lowered, the windows in the back removed, and the old pews with doors were replaced. Some of the pew doors are preserved in the wainscot of the present choir loft. The handsome chandelier incorporated an early kerosene lamp wired for electricity. The lantern hanging outside the main doors is said to be original and a string of dog-tooth moulding appears in the frieze on the facade.
The steeple was repaired in 1930 and in 1931 the church was moved back a number of feet when Amity Road was widened. Redecoration of the interior and the installation of central heating in 1949 was followed in 1963 and 1970 by further renovations.
Church History
The histories of Bethany and the Bethany church are intertwined, which is to be expected of a Connecticut town and a church whose origin goes back to pre-Revolutionary times.
The territory of Bethany was included in a purchase made from the Indians on behalf of the town of Milford and New Haven.
A petition to the General Assembly in 1762 by the people living in the northern part of the Woodbridge Parish says that “by reason of the length of the parish from the north to the south, those living in the northern part of the parish were much inconvenienced to attend public worship on account of the great distance to travel.” They prayed for the parish to be divided. Permission was granted that same year and Bethany was incorporated as a parish. It became a town in 1832 and the present town of Bethany boundaries follow the same lines as the old parish lines.
A meeting house was built in 1769 about one mile south of the present building. Between 1762 and 1769, winter services were held in a school house. The present house was erected in 1831 and has been kept much as it was originally built. A fine parish building was attached to the rear of the church in 1954.
The church has not been without the usual old parish difficulties. In the early 1800’s there was a split and about half the members left to become Episcopalians. In 1830, a number of Congregationalists and Episcopalians left the old churches and started a Methodist Church which was abandoned in the 1950’s.
First Church of Christ Congregational Historical Photos
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