LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE
United Church of Oxford
Oxford, New York
Pastor
New York Conference, Susquehanna Association, United
Church of Christ
Fransego Association, American Baptist Churches
February 10, 2021
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)
The United Church of Oxford was formed July 30, 1976 when the Oxford Baptist Church and Oxford Congregational Church merged. We retain affiliation with both the American Baptist Churches and the United Church of Christ. It is part of our Church Constitution that we rotate between the two
denominations with each pastor change.
We have had four full-time pastors in the past forty-four years. The first was here prior to the merger of the two congregations and oversaw the birth of the United Church of Oxford, leaving in 1981. The next pastor led the growth of the church into a flourishing center of activity for families and the community, and left in 1990. The third pastor stayed with us for 25 years, and the congregation became accustomed to a succinct, poignant sermon and an order of worship that never varied. During this time, church membership in general decreased, with fewer new members, less financial support, fewer programs for families and youth and dwindling attendance at Sunday services. We had an interim pastor for nearly two years who led us to our most recent pastor, who has served the church for nearly four years, and intends to retire at the end of 2020. We have again started to gain new members, attendance is steady and giving has increased. We have continued in the programs that were already running, and have added some new options for people, such as a weekly adult Bible study before worship.
We have two church sanctuaries in two buildings, with very different capabilities. Our Main Street Building (formerly the Congregational Church) is where we currently hold our worship services. The building underwent a total renovation in the early 2000s, at which time the CE Morey pipe organ was also overhauled and made state-of-the-art. In 2016, the sanctuary’s sound system was replaced with a new, more versatile and efficient system. The sanctuary seats approximately 200 people, has a nursery and choir dressing room, and offers no running water or bathroom facilities. The church was painted in 2018 with funds raised entirely by the congregation.
Our Fort Hill Building (formerly the Baptist Church) houses our Sunday School rooms, our Fellowship Hall and kitchen, our church office, pastor’s office, meeting rooms and our other sanctuary. We have not actively used the sanctuary in over 20 years, though it is still entirely outfitted to be able to do so. The building also houses Oxford’s privately-run preschool, Pumpkin Shell Nursery School, and until recently housed our community Food Pantry. The Fellowship Hall is used for many events throughout the year. Church suppers have been a major source of fellowship and financial income, held here. We have held
hymn sings, holiday bazaars and festivals, funeral dinners, church meetings community events and fundraisers here. In addition to a full operational kitchen, the room can seat 200 people. Our smaller meeting room is referred to as the Memorial Room, and this is where Bible Studies, small group
meetings like our Reader’s Circle, monthly Consistory meetings, and other committee meetings are held on a regular basis. A new roof was put on the sanctuary in 2019, and the insulation was replaced. Three furnaces in the building were replaced to be more efficient and make the building more comfortable. We are in the process of redoing the sanctuary’s ceiling to put this building back into regular use.
Our Parsonage is a four-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom home located on Fort Hill Park, next to the church. There is a one-car, detached garage, a large back deck and a fenced front yard. The home was built in the late 1960s, and is outfitted with kitchen appliances, a washer and dryer.
Our buildings are located within a historic district in the Village. The Village of Oxford is made up of approximately 1,500 people. The larger Town of Oxford boasts a population of around 3,000. The town’s largest employers include the New York State Veteran’s Home (one of four in New York State), the Oxford Academy & Central School District, and Blueox Energy Products. Agriculture-based jobs and agri-business are large employers as well. Norwich and Greene, our neighbors to the north and south, offer employment in manufacturing, banking, healthcare, education, government and transportation, as well as retail shopping, entertainment and medical services. Nearby is a wealth of state land, for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and snowmobiling. Within an hour’s drive lie larger cities of Binghamton, Oneonta, Cortland and Utica, as well as a number of colleges and universities.
We currently have weekly worship services, filled with traditional music, prayer and Scripture on Sunday mornings at 10:30. We are not currently offering Sunday School for children, due to low attendance. There is a Bible Study group that meets at 9:30 in the Chapel building next to the Main Street Sanctuary. Our choir and instrumental ensembles meet weekly. There is an active group that meets for coffee weekly before church in the Chapel building. We have monthly Consistory board meetings for church governance. Our Hospitality Committee, Koininia women’s group, and other groups meet monthly. We hold special evening services on Maundy Thursday, Christmas Eve, and occasionally do these as
ecumenical services with other local churches or with assistance from the local Masonic Lodge. We occasionally host special events, such as hymn sings, benefit dinners or small group meetings.
Our current active membership is 78 persons. Our average worship service attendance is 30-40. An average congregation for a worship service is estimated to be comprised primarily of:
• 90% middle age (50 and over) to senior citizen members. These are of lower to middle class income means.
• Varied employment backgrounds (both currently working and retired), from professional and management, to clerical and service industries.
• 90% local residents, living within five miles of the church.
• 90% of the households consisting of singles, widowed or married with no children at home. • An insignificantly small to no minority attendance due to the population base in the surrounding
We celebrate two sacraments of faith: baptism and holy communion. As we are part of both the ABC and UCC, we celebrate baptism following both traditions. We offer either believer’s baptism by
immersion or infant baptism by sprinkling. Baptism classes are offered upon request or on an as-needed basis. We offer “the Right Hand of Fellowship” to new adult members of the church. Communion is served by members of the Consistory, and is traditionally celebrated the first Sunday of each month during the worship service. At times, shut-ins are called upon and offered communion.
Our church is led by a single board, called the Consistory. The Consistory meets monthly and is elected from the membership of the church. Members serve 2-year terms. The Moderator leads the meetings and holds the highest office in the church, with other officers being the Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Church Clerk. The fifth office, that of the Sunday School Superintendent, has been vacant for a number of years. Members-at-large of the Consistory form commissions, which include Spiritual Life, Missions, Promotion, Property, Education and Support. Each commission is asked to provide a monthly report detailing their efforts. Under these commissions lie sub-committees, such as the Hospitality Committee.
Our pastor reports to a Pastoral Relations Committee. This group is also made up of church members who agree to serve. This committee endeavors to be the sounding board for the congregation and the pastor, administers reviews and makes salary recommendations to the Consistory for the pastor. This committee meets quarterly, or more frequently if needed.
In 2020, our church, like every other organization, had to adapt to a “new normal” to ensure we were both abiding by the rules and protecting our vulnerable members from Covid-19. We ceased having in-person church after the service March 14. We resumed weekly in-in-person “parking lot” church worship on May 31 with an Easter theme, and returned inside to more traditional services on June 14. We practice active social distancing, with marked alternate pews for seating, requiring the wearing of masks throughout the service, and have masks, hand sanitizer and wipes available during all services and meetings. We welcomed the choir back to our services on November 1. Our congregation remains strong and faithful, and we have not suffered economically as an organization.
Our congregation has participated in a voluntary survey to find how people feel the church is doing and what they are looking for in the future from the United Church of Oxford. This information has been used by the Transition Team to put together a list of characteristics we are looking for in a new pastor. It has also helped us prioritize the needs of the church. In our search for a new pastor, we are hoping to find an individual who exhibits a dynamic personality, and who is able to relate to our congregation and community. This person will be looked to for assistance with leading our congregation into a period of growth; both deepening our spiritual bonds and increasing the size and strength of the congregation. We look for someone to help us interpret the faith, provide pastoral care, educate our congregation, provide a nurturing atmosphere for fellowship, offer counseling, work with other local churches and ministers in ecumenical pursuits, lead us in worship, and assist with conflict management as needed. We also look for someone who has an interest and experience in property management, as we have multiple buildings to maintain.
Our Church Mission Statement is “Binding together the followers of Jesus Christ for fellowship, worship, service and sharing of the gospel.” Our Vision Statement is “To help people experience Jesus Christ by spreading the Gospel in our community with love and respect for all people.” We strive to be a welcoming, friendly and outgoing church. We hope you will consider joining us on our journey.
POSITION POSTING
LISTING INFORMATION
SCOPE OF WORK
COMPENSATION & SUPPORT
WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US?
LISTING INFORMATION
Church name: United Church of Oxford
Street address: PO Box 566 Church buildings located at Main St and
Fort Hill Park. Offices at Fort Hill Park
Additional ecumenical affiliations: Affiliated with both American Baptist
Churches and United Church of Christ
New York Conference,
Susquehanna Association, Fransego Association
UCC Conference or Association Staff Contact Person
Name: Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams
Title: Associate Conference Minister, New York Conference
Phone: (845) 500-5082
What we value about living in our area: Oxford is a rural community,
close-knit and caring. We value our traditions and our heritage, but
welcome new faces.
Current size of membership: 82.
Typical attendance at Sunday service 30-40.
Languages used in ministry: English only
Position Title: Pastor
Position Duration:
Settled – a called position intended for longer-term ministry in which the
minister moves church membership to the congregation and moves
standing to related association
Compensation Level
Full Time
Does the total support package meet conference compensation guidelines? Yes
SCOPE OF WORK
• Preparation and leadership of Sunday worship including scripture study,
crafting of liturgy and hymn selection for bulletins, sermon preparation,
preaching, offering of prayers, etc., as well as energizing and deepening
the spiritual connections and faith understandings of others in all they
do.
• Faith formation and vitality through prayer, Bible study, service,
identifying helpful resources and opportunities for church members and
friends. Work with existing and prospective members to develop their
faith and encourage people to join the church.
• Pastoral care (to those sick, elderly or grieving) and visitations
• Community involvement and engagement, be visible in the community to
represent the church with an open, friendly and welcoming demeanor
• Participation in wider church activities such as conference and
Core Competencies:
Sociable, dynamic, good communicator, sincere
COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT
Salary, equal to Cash Salary plus Value of Parsonage/Housing Allowance:
$33,500.00
Benefits:
Salary plus Benefits (retirement, health insurance)
What is the expected living situation for your next minister? Parsonage located
next to Fort Hill Building is included in benefits package.
Comment on the residential/commuting expectations for your next minister.
We expect that our new pastor will live in the community of Oxford, preferably
in the parsonage.
State any incentives: Utilities and maintenance are included in package when
residing in the parsonage.
Describe peer and professional supports available for ministers in your
association/conference: Meetings for both denominations conferences held
quarterly.
If applicable, describe how your church will adopt part-time adjustments in the
pastoral schedule to support a minister’s bi-vocational employment: N/A for
WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US?
Describe the ministry goals you envision your next minister co-collaborating
with the congregation to achieve.
-stewardship
-maintaining traditions- keeping a traditional worship service
-growth (both in numbers and in faith)
Describe how your vision of the minister you are now seeking will assist the
congregation in making an impact beyond its walls.
-working with all segments of the congregation to ensure their ability to
participate
-being visible and involved in the community
-work ecumenically
Specify language requirements or culturally-specific capacities preferred in a
next ministerial leader, and why those matter to the congregation’s sense of
calling.
N/A
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.
CARING FOR ALL CREATION
o Nurturing care and compassion for God’s creation.
o Maintaining a basic understanding of mental health and wellness. o Practicing self-care and life balance.
o Providing hope and healing to a hurting world.
o Attending to one’s own spiritual and pastoral care, including engagement in supervision as appropriate. o Stewarding the resources of the Church.
EXHIBITING A SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION AND ONGOING SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
o Loving God, following Jesus Christ, and being guided by the Holy Spirit; living a life of discipleship. o Praying actively and nurturing spiritual practices.
o Being called to ordained ministry by God and the Church. o Continuing discernment of one’s call in community.
o Understanding the power of the Holy Spirit at work through the elements of Christian worship to nurture faith.
o Exhibiting a commitment to lifelong spiritual development and faithful personal stewardship. NURTURING UCC IDENTITY
o Acknowledging Jesus Christ as the sole Head of the Church.
o Communicating passion for the oneness of the Body of Christ (John 17:21). o Holding active membership in a Local Church of the United Church of Christ.
o Participating in the various settings of the United Church of Christ, including Local Churches, Associations, Conferences, General Synod, and global ministries.
o Knowing and appreciating UCC history, polity, and theology.
o Exhibiting a commitment to the core values of the United Church of Christ: continuing testament, extravagant welcome, and changing lives.
BUILDING TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS
o Empowering the Church to be faithful to God’s call, reflective of Christ’s mission, and open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit.
o Strategically creating the future of God’s Church.
o Witnessing in the public square to God’s redeeming power. o Performing necessary and appropriate administrative tasks.
o Working collaboratively with intercultural awareness and sensitivity.
WHO IS GOD CALLING US TO BECOME?
Who is God calling you to become as a congregation?
Describe how God is calling you to reach out to address the emerging
challenges and opportunities of your community and congregation.
We have successfully completed a number of long-term capital
expense projects on our buildings in the past 5 years. These will
allow us to carry on our work in the future without concern for the
safety and integrity of our buildings. Our “must do” list is getting
smaller, and we are moving on to the “would like to do” lists.
We have found that we are not at the necessary level for technology
in our congregation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we did not
stream services, post regular updates or have much
communication with the congregation. While newsletters and
phone calls continued, there could have been more of an attempt to
keep people together. While some of our congregation would not
have viewed it anyway, there is a growing population that would
have both appreciated it and felt more connected. We do still have
some congregants who have not returned due to meeting in-person
and not feeling ready to meet in group settings. This would allow
them to remain more connected during this time. In addition,
better use of technology may be a way to reach another generation
of worshippers who prefer to use social media and online resources
to communicate.
WHO ARE WE NOW?
CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS
11-YEAR REPORT
CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS
PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING
CHURCH FINANCES
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS
Describe your congregation’s life of faith.
We celebrate two Protestant traditions, and as such acknowledge
both infant baptism and believer’s baptism. We offer all adults
membership in the church by the Right Hand of Fellowship, offered
after membership classes. All are welcome to participate in
Communion monthly, served by members of the Consistory and led
by the Pastor. Bible study and education classes are available
based on the interest and availability of the congregation. Pastoral
care is provided to shut ins, nursing home residents and upon
request.
Describe several strengths or positive qualities of your congregation.
-Caring, welcoming and dedicated members
-Strong music program (vocal, instrumental)
-Members are very involved in church leadership, groups and ministries
-Church is financially sound
Describe what worship is like when your congregation gathers.
We have a traditional worship service, held typically in the Main
Street Sanctuary, Sunday mornings. It is a Bible-based service,
with typically 4-5 “standard” hymns sung throughout, Bible
readings, responsive reading, unison and pastoral prayers and a
15-to 20-minute sermon that connects the readings to something
relatable to the congregation. There is a time of announcements
and a “cares and concerns” time for the congregation to share.
Monthly, Communion is served. There is a choir anthem and choral
pastor process and recess through the aisles, going to or from the
choir loft. A typical service does not go beyond one hour. Most
recently, special events like baptisms, new church members or
Communion have not been made to be a big deal; in the past these
were reasons to have a break in the normal order of service for a
special program.
Describe the educational program and/or faith formation vision of your church.
We currently have one adult Sunday School class, which is a Bible Study
group, held an hour before the service weekly. Most recently this group
has studied the book of Revelation. We do not currently offer any classes
for children, as we have only one regular attendee. We do have
classrooms in the Fort Hill building and a Nursery in the back of the Main
Street sanctuary.
Describe how your congregation is organized for ministry and mission.
Our congregation is managed by a group of 12 members, (volunteers that
are elected for 2, 2-year terms) called the Consistory. The Consistory
handles all financial, property, missions, promotion, and Spiritual Life
concerns with individual commissions. There are smaller committees
authorized by the commissions for aspects of church life such as hospitality
and Pastoral Relations. The Pastor is a member of the Consistory, giving a
monthly pastoral report and is asked to give devotions for the monthly
meeting, and has voting rights at meetings. We struggle to fill the 16
member board. Each January, we hold an Annual Meeting for the
congregation where we review the year via reports from each commission
and committee, adopt a budget for the new year, and nominate new
members to the Consistory.
• When it comes to decision-making, how many hours are spent in
meetings per month?
Consistory meetings normally take 90 minutes monthly, and are held in
the evenings. There are informal meetings from time to time, held after
church, when important matters need to be discussed. These typically
only last 10-15 minutes.
• Think of a time when action had to be taken quickly, for example when a
crisis or disaster occurred. How was that accomplished?
The Moderator leads the Consistory. Typically the Moderator will either
call a special meeting or will make contact with the members of the group
to vote and make the decision.
•
Can you provide the next minister with a copy of an organization
structure, bylaws and/or annual report to further explain the patterns of
the church’s activity and governance?
CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS
Describe those who participate in your church.
Is this number an estimate? (check if yes)
Number of active members: 82 Number of active non-members: 10 Total of church participants (sum
of the numbers above): 92
Percentage of total participants who have been in the church:
Is this percentage an estimate? (check if yes)
More than 10 years: 75 x Less than 10, more than 5 years: 10 x Less than 5 years: 15 x
Number of total participants by age:
0-11 12-17 18-24 25-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+
Are these numbers an estimate? (check if yes)
1 6 5 22 25 33
Percentage of adults in various household types:
Is this percentage an estimate? (check if yes)
Single adults under 35: 0 Joint household with minors: 0
Single adults age 35-65: 15 X Joint household with no minors: 35 X Single adults over 65: 50 X
Education level of adult participants by percentage:
Is this percentage an estimate? (check if yes)
High school: 30 X
College: 50 X
Graduate School: 20 X Specialty Training:
Other (please specify):
Percentage of adults in various employment types:
Is this number an estimate? (check if yes)
Adults who are employed: 25 X Adults who are retired: 70 X Adults who are not fully employed: 5 X
Describe the range of occupations of working adults in the congregation:
We have educators, farmers, factory workers, office workers and
healthcare workers. They range in level from entry-level to management.
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?
We are not at all a diverse congregation, due to our location in a rural
town, with very little diversity. However, in the past, we have had a more
racially-diverse congregation. We believe ourselves to be open and
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 10 Currently the Pastor, in the past have had lay leadership
Baptisms (number last year) 1 Pastor Children’s Groups or Classes 2-3 Families
Christmas Eve and Easter Worship 60-80 Pastor and Music Director Church-wide Meals 20-30 Hospitality Committee Choirs and Music Groups 10-14 Music Director
Church-based Bible Study Same as adult groups/ classes
Communion (served how often?) 30-40 Consistory, monthly during worship
Community Meals 100-175 Hospitality Committee Confirmation (number confirmed last
year)
Drama or Dance Program N/A
Funerals (number last year) 5 Pastor, Music Director and Funeral Director
Intergenerational Groups N/A
Outdoor Worship 15-20 Annually- Pastor and Consistory
Prayer or Meditation Groups Public Advocacy Work
Theology or Bible Programs in the Community
Weddings (number last year) 0 Pastor, Music Director and couple
Worship (time slot: 10:30 AM) 30-40 Pastor, Music Director Worship (time slot: _______)
Young Adult Groups or Classes Youth Groups or Classes
Other
Additional comments:
We have, in the past, had other groups such as Handbell Choir, Reader’s Circle,
Youth Group and Youth Choir, Cherub Choir, Young Adults Small Group, Adult
Bible Study, Women’s Bible Study, Softball team, Needler’s group, adult and
children’s Sunday School and Bible School. We have not had the attendance
needed to sustain these groups. If we had interest, we could add these or new
groups to our programs.
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-Way or Four-Way Covenant?
(3 or 4 or No)
Ministry
Setting Type of Ministry Role Retired? (Y or N)
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:
N/A
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 Music Director 1099 N/A 40+ years
Janitor, Ft. Hill Volunteer N/A New
Janitor, Main St Volunteer N/A 20+ years
REFLECTION
Reflection: After reviewing the congregational demographics and activities
above, what does this information reflect about your congregation’s overall
ministry?
Our congregation reflects our community in its lack of diversity. Chenango
County is 96.4% white per census data. We would like to have more outreach to
the community to add more younger families and active members.
CHURCH FINANCES
Current annual income (dollars used during most recent fiscal year)
Please note these numbers are from 2020--- church activities and services were
suspended March – June.
Source
Amount
Annual Offerings and Pledged Giving
$49,000
Endowment Proceeds (as permitted within
spending policy, such as a cap of typically
4.5%-5% on total return)
$0
Endowment Draw (beyond what is permitted by
spending policy, “drawing down the principal”)
$0
Fundraising Events
$2300
Gifts Designated for a Specific Purpose
$5110
Grants
$0
Rentals of Church Building
$2000
Rentals of Church Parsonage
$0
Support from Related Organizations
(e.g. Women’s Group)
$0
Transfers from Special Accounts
$0
Other (specify):
$
Other (specify):
$
TOTAL
$70,000 YTD
Considering total budgeted expenses for the year, compare total ministerial
support. What is the percentage? Close to 50%
Has the church ever failed to pay its financial obligations to a minister of the
church? Never
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
__ Strengthen the Church
_x_ Neighbors in Need
_x_ Christmas Fund
We also support the American Baptist Churches missions. Each month we
collect for a mission and split the proceeds between the denominations.
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.
If the church has had capital campaigns in the last ten years, describe:
Year(s) Purpose Goal Result Impact
2017 Main St building exterior painting $40,000 $ Completed
2018
Ft Hill building sanctuary roof
replacement $40,000 $ Completed
2019 Sidewalk replacement- Ft Hill building $8,000 Paid for out of budget
2019 Furnace replacement- Ft Hill building $12,000 Completed
2019 Window replacement- Ft Hill building $6,000 Completed
2020 Steeple repair- Main St Building $8,000
$4000 from budget, $4000 donated completed
If a capital campaign is underway or anticipated, describe:
Year(s) Purpose Goal Result Impact
2021 Ft. Hill sanctuary ceiling replacement
$? Waiting on estimates We have $26,000 available for project prior to fundraising
Contractors are not available currently to give estimates. Will continue to
2021-2022 Main St. organ refurbishment $10,000 $
Budgeted 50% for 2021. Have donors willing to give funds toward this project
Describe the prominent mission component(s) involved in the most recent (or
current) capital campaign.
Does your church have an endowment? No
Other Assets
Reserves (savings): $
Does your church have a parsonage? Yes
Fair market rental value of the parsonage: $1000/monthly
How is the parsonage used? Residential, single-family home
Street / City / State / Zip: Fort Hill Park, Oxford, NY 13830
Finished square footage: 1,600
Number of Bedrooms, Number of Bathrooms: 3, 1.5
Assessed real estate value: $80,000
Available for minister residence: Y
Expected minister residence: Y
Condition of structure, systems and appliances: Average
Entity in the church responsible for review and needed repairs
Property commission/ Consistory
Describe all buildings owned by the church:
Main St building- sanctuary only.
Chapel- Masonic Lodge uses this space in return for all upkeep and
expenses. We are allowed to use it as we wish. Prep room for choir,
bathrooms for Main St. building, kitchen and dining room for church
potlucks
Parsonage- used exclusively by Pastor and family.
Single-car garage- used exclusively by Pastor and family.
Describe non-owned buildings or space used or rented by the church:
N/A
Which spaces are accessible to wheelchairs? Both sanctuaries, meeting,
restrooms and dining space in Ft. Hill building, Chapel dining room.
Reflection: After reviewing the church’s finances and assets described above,
what does this information reflect about your congregation’s mission and
ministry?
We are solvent, with some reserves. We have an active membership base
that supports our efforts financially when asked.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Ministerial History (include all previous ministerial staff for the past 30 years)
Staff member’s name Years of service UCC Standing (Y/No)
Rev. Edward Roosa 12 Y (Retired)
Rev. C. Russell Thayer 8 N (Am Baptist)
Rev. Allen C Lang 25 Y (Deceased)
Rev. Lawrence Cronk 4 N (Am Baptist)
Comment on what your church has learned about itself and its relationship with
persons who provided ministerial leadership:
Every Pastor had strengths and opportunities for growth. The Pastoral
Relations Committee has been a helpful intermediary to pass information back
and forth between the Consistory and Pastor.
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?
WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR?
COMMUNITY VISION
MISSION INSITE
COMMUNITY VISION
How do the relationships and activities of your congregation extend
outward in service and advocacy?
We strive to be ecumenical with other churches in our town. In the
past we have held joint services, special services for Good Friday/
Maundy Thursday and holiday concerts at Christmas and Easter,
all open to the public and members of other churches, to
participate or attend. We support local ministries such as the
school’s Backpack Program, the Food Pantry, Hospice, Habitat for
Humanity, the local Soup Kitchen and Common Sense (a project of
Church Women United). Our women’s group, Koinonia, supports
the Santa’s Secret Shoppe annually with hosting and staffing the
event for local children.
Describe your congregation’s participation in meetings, relationships and
activities connecting the wider United Church of Christ (association /
conference / national setting).
We have not had much participation, other than the Pastor attending
conference meetings. We were scheduled to host the conference meeting
in 2020 before it was cancelled.
Check all of the following “statements of witness” that apply to your UCC
faith community. (Find more information on these statements at ucc.org.)
__ Accessible to All (A2A)
__ Creation Justice
__ Economic Justice
__ Faithful and Welcoming
__ God Is Still Speaking (GISS)
__ Immigrant Welcoming
__ Inter-cultural/Multi-racial (I’M)
__ Just Peace
__ Open and Affirming (ONA)
__ WISE Congregation for Mental Health
__ Other UCC designations:
__ Other similar designations in affiliated denominations
_x_ 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?
Due to our affiliation with both UCC and ABC denominations, we do not follow
either more than the other.
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 them to be a good representation of Christian values in our
community. Advocacy for the UCC or proselytizing to people on the street
is not an expectation. However, participation in both denomination’s
associations is expected. This is a minimal amount of time and effort, as
both are held quarterly.
REFERENCES
Name up to three people who have agreed to serve as phone and written
references. Make sure they are not members of your church but are
persons who know your church well enough to be helpful to candidates
seeking more information. Request a letter from each reference in answer
to the four prompts below. Attach the letters (up to three) as desired.
REFERENCE 1
Oxford Farmers’ Market P.O. Box 575 Oxford, NY 13830 [email protected] 607-226-6483 22 January 2021
RE: Letter of Reference for the United Church of Oxford
The Oxford Farmers’ Market, established in 2013, is a vendor and volunteer-led initiative dedicated to making locally grown, raised and prepared food available to the community and providing a welcoming venue for local farmers, bakers, artisans and artists to offer and sell their products. We have been able to flourish over the past seven years because of the generosity of the community we serve here in Oxford. Our first Winter Market home was with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, who opened their Parish House to us once a month from November thru April. When COVID hit last year, it became clear that location would not allow for enough social distancing to accommodate the 2020-21 Winter Market.
We were very nearly ready to cancel it altogether when one of the Market vendors, a member of the United Church of Oxford’s congregation, recommended that we reach out to Rev. Larry Cronk to ask about using the Fellowship Hall at the Fort Hill location. Having searched high and low for a space, we steeled ourselves to receive another rejection or to look at another space that was unsuited to a market in this time of COVID. What we found at the UCO was quite the opposite.
Not only was the space ideal for our Winter Farmers’ Market, but the community was breathtakingly welcoming. It was clear that they saw as their mission to serve the community. Their interests were entirely other-oriented, their central concern being that any space they had to offer be utilized in service to the needs of the community. The warm welcome we received was not only from Rev. Cronk, but from every member of the congregation we have engaged with, from UCO’ Moderator, Hilary Wilcox, to the many dedicated members of the UCO’s board, to all the congregation members themselves.
As we have gotten to know the UCO over the past few months, our appreciation for their generosity has only continued to grow. One example of how we experienced their generosity was when they offered one of our market performers the use of the piano in the Fellowship Hall. The performer had expressed an interest in bringing music to the market venue. The UCO’s openness to the idea then led one of the Market’s customers to offer to have the piano tuned, thus making the market even more joyful and further connecting the church community with the wider community in Oxford.
The UCO’s officials and congregants are dedicated stewards of two church properties in the Village of Oxford, both of which they tend lovingly, and they have a strong and joyful congregation that both support each other and welcome newcomers with open arms.
The greatest challenge the UCO faces is likely one that many organizations in small towns face at this time, where economic pressures create more need to be filled with dwindling resources, both financial and human. But the ministry and congregation of the UCO are ideally suited to do the work they see as their mission. They have all the necessary energy and commitment (even with these limited resources) to serve and lift up this town and this region.
The Oxford Farmers’ Market is hoping to be a partner in that work in the years ahead.
We are very grateful to feel a part of the wider United Church of Oxford community. Sincerely,
Paige Smith and Trellan Smith Volunteer co-organizers
On behalf of all the vendors, performers and volunteers at the Oxford Farmers’ Market
REFERENCE 2
From: Roy Pfoh <[email protected]> Date: Sun, Jan 24, 2021, 2:48 PM Subject: Letter for UCO
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
