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MINISTRY TEAMS

MINISTRY TEAMS

There are many ways to get involved at UCCB.  Some folks join boards or ministry teams to work on a particular aspect of church life, make new friends, and deepen their connections.  Below is a description of our main teams.  The administrative assistant or pastor can help put you in touch with each team’s contact person if you’d like to know more.

The Buildings and Grounds Ministry Team is responsible for the care and management of Church property. The Team maintains the buildings and grounds by performing or contracting for service/repairs as needed, leading fall and spring clean-up efforts, and undertaking various special projects. This team also oversees the day-to-day supervision of the Church custodian.  Contact person: Ron Vogel

The Called to Care Ministry Team is a group of people who undergo comprehensive training so that they can provide one-on-one care to those most in need in our community. People requiring support because of bereavement, health issues, care-giving responsibilities, etc., are visited one or more times, as needed. This team also arranges meals, cards, phone calls and occasionally rides for those in need.  Contact person: Duncan Brown

The Communications Ministry Team edits and publishes the monthly Vestry News (newsletter) and oversees the weekly Vestry News Flash (email announcement) to communicate with members and friends of the Congregation about current and planned activities at our Church. The Team also prepares articles for local news media to spread the good news about special events at our Church throughout the surrounding community.  Contact person: Heidi Matthew

The Deacons Ministry Team is responsible for all Church worship and membership programs. The Team oversees the spiritual life of the Congregation and provides a worship service that promotes and nurtures individual spiritual growth. The Deacons also assist the Congregation in their understanding and education of what it means to be and live as a Christian, reaching out to others in fellowship and love. Contact person: Larry Wellington

The Missions Ministry Team encourages members of the Congregation to extend their faith and commitment outside this Church to those in need in our community, our country, and worldwide. The Committee organizes the local outreach programs of the Church, sponsors special offerings to support missions programs, and provides educational programs to bring mission work to the forefront at our Church.  This Ministry includes the “Green Team,” raising awareness and promoting action around climate change and environmental justice.  In addition, this team promotes the ongoing work of the congregation to be Open and Affirming to people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.  Contact person: Glynis Hamel

The Fellowship Ministry Team provides a warm welcome and generous hospitality for visitors and members of the Congregation by obtaining and serving refreshments at the Coffee Hour following each Sunday worship service. This team often hosts receptions for special Church events such as concerts, guest speakers, installations, and special anniversaries. The Team also sponsors several special activities each year, including a Christmas cookie swap, the sale of various types of soup on “Souper Bowl” Sunday, and a Pie Social.  Contact person: Deb Simmons

The Generosity Ministry Team conducts an annual campaign that encourages members of the Congregation to pledge a portion of their time, talents, and treasure to support our Church’s mission. The Team continues to promote generous giving all year long through periodic reporting on the many ways we have been blessed. Contact person: Kellie Senghas

The Music Ministry Team enhances our worship services with beautiful choral music accompanied by the organ, piano, or other instruments. The Team supports a Senior Choir, a Junior Choir, an annual Music Sunday featuring the talents of members of the Congregation, and a Folk Coffeehouse which is open to performers from both our Church and the wider community.  Contact person: Steve Griffin

The Planned Giving Ministry Team establishes and maintains guidelines for the receipt, investment, and distribution of financial gifts, bequests, and contributions that comprise the permanent funds of the Church. The objective is to preserve and grow the principal indefinitely through prudent investment strategy, while capital growth, earned income, and dividends can be used to further the Church’s mission. Contact person: Jeff Glidden

The Prayerful Handworks Ministry Team uses their talents for knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, and other crafts to produce hand-made items that embody the craftsperson’s thoughts and prayers for the receiver and are freely given to those who need them. In particular, this group creates Prayer Shawls, which are blessed by the Congregation and given to those in need of support and prayer.  Contact person: Anne Chandler

The Senior Choir is a dedicated group of volunteers who provide vocal music in worship approximately three Sundays per month. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at 8 PM. No musical training or previous experience is required.  Contact person: Cindy Blanchard

The Sounds of Peace Ministry Team is an a cappella choral group that focuses on bringing comfort and peace through song to those who are ill, home-bound, or nearing the threshold between this life and the next. 

Contact person: Gloria Roe

The Spiritual Nurture Ministry Team is responsible for helping every person in our Congregation develop a personal relationship with God and understand the importance of faith in their daily lives. The Team oversees the operation of the Nursery, Sunday School, youth mission trips, and adult education programs of the Church.  

The Digital Ministry Team prepares and hosts all online worship guests and provides them with a meaningful experience and opportunities to participate virtually. The team records all services and shares them via Facebook and YouTube.

Contact: Ralph DeMent

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Sounds of Peace at Porch Session 5-15-22

Interim Ministers

We are excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Jill Edens and Rev. Richard Edens who will be serving as co-ministers for twelve months during our time of transition, starting April 15, 2024! The Interim Minister Search Team was impressed with Rev. Jill’s and Rev. Richard’s spirituality, experience, and creativity. With many years of experience in both settled and interim ministry, Rev. Jill and Rev. Richard demonstrate a keen understanding of issues facing churches today. They bring a wonderful blend of hope and pragmatism to their interim work. We quickly realized that this duo will bring energy and joy to the tasks ahead, as we prepare for the search for our next minister. Members of churches they have previously served raved about their sermons, open-minded wisdom, and administrative skill. The Edens are inspiring leaders and pastors. They served as Co-Senior Pastors for 38 years at the United Church of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, until their retirement in 2017. They relocated to the greater Boston area to be closer to their daughter, the Rev. Ruth Edens, and her family. Since arriving, they have served together at the Trinitarian Congregational Church of Concord (TriCon), the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, the First Parish of Westwood, and the Congregational Church of Weston, in Interim capacities. They are both graduates of the Yale Divinity School, with Jill receiving her Doctorate in Ministry from Lancaster Theological Seminary. Regarding her approach to interim ministry, Rev. Jill tells us “I have a deep faith in the wisdom of congregations and their ability to formulate their calling and then identify the resources they will need to be faithful to that call.” Rev. Richard’s ministry encourages the faithful to “Strive for justice, share joy, befriend the lonely. Prepare for laughter, be willing to cry. Love simply, generously, playfully. Choose sparingly, live modestly, dream big. Speak the truth, pray, have fun. See rightly. Proclaim the mad love of God.” Their years of experience in leading a variety of faith communities will be a great benefit as we navigate our upcoming transition.

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Church Admin

Our Church Administrator is Jenn LaCross. She grew up in Greenfield and settled down in Lunenburg after graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She began her career as an Exercise Physiologist working in corporate wellness in Boston and then moved into Pharmaceutical Sales. In 2002 she gave up working to stay at home and raise a family. Her and her husband, Richard have two children, Derek (21) and Bella (18). As the kids got older and more self-sufficient, she jumped back into the workforce here at UCCB in the fall of 2017. Jenn enjoys the opportunity to utilize her bookkeeping skills as well as tap into her creative side producing church communications. She continues loves visiting with and helping the church community. She can be reached at the office at 978.263.7387 or via email at boxborochurch@verizon.net.

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Choir Director

Cindy Blanchard is the Sr. Choir Director at UCC. She joined the church and choir in 1997 and has been the choir director for over 10 years. She earned a BA in music at Bowdoin College, a MA in conducting/music at Trenton State and did advanced grad work on trumpet and voice at Juilliard. I have sung since I can remember! Jr. Choir, school groups, college groups and various adult ensembles. Working with the adults in the choir is such a rewarding experience. We are a family! From our Tues. night rehearsals, our Sunday worship service singing, Music Sunday, our annual dinner and Christmas parties-it is a wonderful group of people that I’m so grateful to be able to work with every week. We also provide special guest musicians throughout the year. Recent guests have been a flute ensemble, harpist, violinist, clarinetist, Dixieland Band, and the Saturdays! I hope you enjoy our musical offerings and please know you are always welcome to join the choir!

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Organist

Joe Camara, the son of a music teacher, began piano lessons early in elementary school. Within a few years he was already accompanying choruses. He went to Lowell State College beginning as a piano major but changed to organ major. He graduated with a BA in music. He taught in the Lowell public school system for almost thirty years and received a Master Degree in education from UMASS Lowell and finally a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in administration from Fitchburg State University. He has played piano and organ in many groups and churches throughout the area. He is also the former director/accompanist of the Lowell High School Alumni Chorus which awards scholarships to students at Lowell High School going into the arts. He also was the pit director and accompanist for many of the high school shows presented at Maynard High School.

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Custodian

Our custodian is Lenny Connolly. Our buildings put his repair and maintenance skills to good use. He’s particularly popular with the kids at Boxboro Children Center, who love to watch him work!

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