In Congregationalism, we commit ourselves to making God’s mission known in community. Ours is a progressive Christian community, recognizing many paths to God and opening ourselves to the great variety of God’s people.
Our Plymouth Church covenant is based on the Salem Covenant of 1629:
We covenant with you, O God, and one with another, and do bind ourselves in your presence to walk together in all your ways, according as you are pleased to reveal yourself to us in your blessed word of truth.
Moreover, we, the people of Plymouth Congregational Church, humbly seek and serve God within, among and beyond ourselves. A full description of the Purposes of the Church can be found here (revised December 2018, by the Deacons). A class on the Theology of the Purposes was offered through mid-April 2019, in the Theater. Listen to audio from that course here.
The congregation is the basis of our governance. Clergy members work closely with lay leaders elected to positions in Deacons, Leadership Council and leaders of the six boards: Community Life, Finance and Administration, Fine Arts, Outreach, Spiritual Formation and Worship. (Scroll to the bottom of this webpage for lists of board members.)
The 2022 Annual Report includes reports from lay leaders and clergy, past meeting minutes, and financial information.
Background and updates on our governance were presented on Feb. 25, 2018; please see the slide presentation here.
Growth Task Force
The Growth Task Force has completed its first phase; you can find a copy here. The Task Force spent a great deal of time exploring church growth and what it means in this time and place. The main take-away is that growth must be a priority for every group in the church. There is no magic solution to the decline in attendance experienced by most churches. The Task Force developed a process that will be presented to the boards and committees so that each group will discern their own growth priority for the next year with metrics. One reason we are often not aware of the places we may be growing is because we do not measure it. We will count it a success if we all pay attention and measure the ways that we can grow through hospitality, engaging programming and spiritual vitality. Think about how you might engage and help the church grow!
Read the charter for the Growth Task Force (April 3, 2018); meeting minutes 09/10/2018.
Deacons
The Deacons are responsible for strategic direction and vision. They also have responsibility for the legal, fiduciary, and spiritual affairs of the church.
Agenda for the February 7, 2023 meeting
Sue Astin
Annette Atkins, Clerk
Karen Barstad
John Cairns
Peter Eichten
Sarah Lehman
Jay Matre, Moderator
Mike McCallister, Treasurer
Lynn Moline
Send an email to the Deacons.
Leadership Council
Chairs of the six boards, clergy, three officers, the church Archivist, and chairs of church Initiatives make up the Leadership Council, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the church.
Eric Olsen, Chair
Elizabeth Glidden, Chair-Elect
Anne Seltz, Secretary
Tom Anderson, Chair of Community Life
Becca Norris, Chair of Finance and Administration
Diane Hallberg, Chair of Fine Arts
E.J. Kelley, Chair of Outreach
John Gisselquist, Chair of Spiritual Formation
Lisa Matre, Chair of Worship
Dorene Bruns, Archivist
Barb Iverson, Racial Justice Initiative Co-Chair
Jean Kennedy, Racial Justice Initiative Co-Chair