Boards and Committees of The First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor

Board of Trustees: Oversees business and legal operations. Duties include financial management (fund-raising, budgets, and endowments), property maintenance, and all legal. Nine members serve three-year terms.

Board of Deacons: Deacons assist our ministers in caring for the spiritual well-being of the church. Duties include assistance with church services, fellowship among members and guests, visitations to shut-in members and orientation for new members. The 48 members serve three-year terms.

Board of Christian Education: Oversees operations of Church School, ministry of youth and adult education programs. Duties include development of policies, appointment of teachers and support of the Director of Christian Education. Nine members serve three-year terms. (shown above: 2011 Board of Christian Education)

Activities and Fellowship Committee: Works throughout the year to sponsor fun social events at the church and in the area for our church family. We welcome helpers who can provide baked goods, help cook, and be a part of the set-up and clean-up of these events. And you will have fun doing it, too! We promote and organize adult and family activities for our church community outside the worship service. Duties include planning and volunteer assistance for events ranging from weekend trips for adults and seasonal craft fairs for families to Christmas decorating and special luncheons. Nine members serve three-year terms.

Church Council: Responsible for all church programming, coordination among internal committees and boards, any Pastoral Search Committees, and employment of paid church staff.  While membership in the Church Council is through representation of individual committees and boards, the council’s leadership positions are elected. Chair, vice-chair and secretary are for two-year terms. Clerk, treasurer and historian are for one-year terms.

Missions and Outreach Committee: Plans, evaluates and distributes funds for benevolent purposes, and promotes interest and education in charitable opportunities. Six members serve three-year terms.

Music Committee: Ministering through music has always played a big part in The First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor’s rich history. Opportunities include singing in one of the church choirs, playing in the FCC Orchestra, and being a member of the Chime Choir. Members are responsible for all music at the public services. Duties include selection and support of music staff, recommendations for music budget and maintenance of musical equipment. Six members serve three-year terms.

Nominating Committee: Solicits and submits candidates to fill all committee, board and representative vacancies for the Annual Church Meeting each January. Six members serve three-year terms.

Contemporary Issues Committee: The Contemporary Issues Committee was formed to explore important issues faced by our society. A congregational survey in January 2009 showed that diversity, health care and dealing with the economic downturn were topics that people were most concerned about. Since the committee began in fall 2008, we've offered four programs, each with dynamic speakers, including: "Surviving the Holidays", "Women of Islam", "Responding to Hard Times" and "Helping During Hard Times: What Should FCC be Doing Now?". We welcome new members interested in joining our committee.

Beacon of Hope Service Ministry: Supports mission trips. In 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 church members traveled to Lake Charles, LA to help rebuilding efforts from the damage done by Hurricane Rita.