First Church

The Church School Building will
be bustling on Sunday morning.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets Wednesday
mornings creating beautiful prayer shawls.

Hayrides are enjoyed by all
during the Church Fall Apple Festival.

Lending a helping hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a church service like?
A normal church service starts at 10am and lasts about one hour. The Service includes opportunities for everyone to sing, pray, and listen. There are readings from the Bible and a sermon to help you think about your Christian faith.
Children attend the beginning of Worship Service and are dismissed for Church School, in the Wolcott Building next to the Church, following the Children's moment. Children are escorted to and from Church School by the parents.
On the first Sunday of the each month and a Christmas Eve Service, we celebrate communion. Everyone is welcome to participate in communion, no matter your age or your Church member status. We receive communion from a Deacon while sitting in our pews, first the bread and then the cup. Please hold and then pass the tray to your neighbor and then pass it back to the Deacon. Hold onto your bread and cup until the pastor invites you to eat and drink.
Church School is dismissed at the end of the Service.

Dress Attire?
There is no set dress code for attending service. People who attend worship normally can dress their best, dress semi-casually, or dress casually. Everyone is welcomed so please dress to be comfortable and relaxed to best enjoy the Service.

How do I get to the First Congregation Church building?
First Church is located on historic Old Main Street in South Windsor. The Church has a long and rich history that started in 1694.
To enter the Church you can park in the Church parking on either side of the building or park in front of the church on Old Main Street. You enter the church through the double green doors at the top of the stairs leading to the church. An Usher will provide a Service pamphlet, describing this weeks Service, when you enter the church. You enter the Church Sanctuary from either the left or right door. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis, so sit wherever you feel comfortable.
Worship begins promptly at 10a.m. so please plan to arrive a few minutes early.

What religious denomination is the First Congregational Church of South Windsor?
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC. These two denominations, which were themselves the result of earlier unions, had their roots in Congregational, Christian, Evangelical, and Reformed denominations.

My Family has young children and we would like to attend worship, is this a problem?
A Nursery Area is available to parents during church Services for children up to 3 years of age. It is located in the lower hall of the church and is staffed by a Nursery Caregiver, Kate Larsen. You are welcome to leave your child at any time during the Service. Kate looks forward to meeting you.
There is also a changing station that is located in the handicap bathroom and a microwave and refrigerator in the kitchen if necessary.

Does the First Congregational Church of South Windsor have Church School?
Children age 3 and older attend church with their parents and then are dismissed for church school following the Children's Moment. The Church School attendees are then escorted to the Wolcott Church School building by the parents. They are dismissed from Church School at the end of the Service.
For more information please visit the Church School page.
[Church School]

Is the First Congregational Church of South Windsor handicap accessible?
We have Handicap Parking and a Lift for the physically challenged.
We can provide Hearing Devices if necessary and
Larger Print Bulletins and Hymnals are available.
We also have a Handicap equipped bathroom available.

Does the Church Pastor make home visits?
You can contact the First Congregational Church Pastor if you know someone in the church family who is in the hospital, or who would like a pastoral visit, and/or home visit.
Please visit the Contact page to find ways to contact the Pastor.
[Contact Information]

How can I check the Sunday Service schedule in inclement weather?
In case of a severe weather happening, please tune in to NBC Connecticut News, or WFSB for a cancellation of church service Please keep in mind that in the event of bad weather, it might be best to stay at home rather than driving in treacherous conditions.
[WFSB Storm Closings]

I was unable to attend Worship on Sunday, are there other options?
Sunday Worship is taped weekly. A CD copy of the Service can be borrowed on request.
Please visit the Contact page to find ways to contact the Church.
[Contact Information]

What does The UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Symbol represent?
The symbol of the United Church of Christ comprises a crown, cross, and orb enclosed within a double oval bearing the name of the church and the prayer of Jesus. It is based on an ancient Christian symbol.
The Crown symbolizes the sovereignty of Christ—who expresses God's power through love.
The Cross recalls the suffering of Christ—his arms outstretched on the wood of the cross for the salvation of humanity.
The Orb represents the world. It is divided but at the same time whole, and the cross of Jesus reaches into its depths. The division of the orb into three parts also reminds us of Jesus' call to be his "witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Jesus wants us to bring God's love to every corner of the earth.
The Prayer reflects our historic commitment to the restoration of unity among the separated churches of Jesus Christ, and our faith that the day will come when all humanity will be gathered by God into one family.