ABOUT US

What We Believe

Mission Statement

How Eliot Works

Open and Affirming

Safe Church

History

Eliot History
UCC History
John Eliot

Staff

Directions

How Eliot Church Works

How Eliot is Organized

Under UCC polity, the local congregation is in charge. In practice, that means that the final word on all major issues is the vote of the congregation at congregational meetings - at least once a year. We generally hold one in the spring and one in the fall to decide things like the budget, election of officers, general policy questions, etc. Between times, the Coordinating Council meets monthly to act for the congregation and to coordinate church activities. The substantial work is handled by 9 Commissions, also meeting monthly. Coordinating Council members consist of the chairpersons of each commission or their delegate, plus 3 at-large members, and the officers of the congregation.

Who Are the Officers? What Do They Do?

The Moderator is like the president of the congregation. The Clerk takes minutes at Coordinating Council and congregational meetings. The Treasurer manages the finances, assisted by the Financial Secretary.

What Are the Commissions and What Do They Do?

Each Commission is the working body responsible for determining policy and developing programs in its particular area. Commission membership consists of both Church members and others who wish to participate. The chairpersons are nominated and elected annually. Recruiting people to participate on the various commissions is the responsibility of the chairperson or his/her designee.

All meetings are open, so if you want to be heard or want to learn more, go to a meeting -- dates are always announced in the Sunday bulletin and in the monthly newsletter -- or speak to the chairperson or any member of that group.

The Spiritual Life Commission is responsible for supporting and maintaining the spiritual life of the congregation, in consultation with the Pastors. These responsibilities include planning and overseeing worship services, coordinating spiritual retreats and planning special seasonal Forums and series.

The Music Commission works with the Minister of Music. They collaborate with the Pastor and Worship Commission on service music and special musical offerings for the Christmas and Easter seasons. They also plan Eliot Recitals and other musical events during the year.

The Membership Commission
The Membership Commission is responsible, along with the Pastors and the entire faith community, for encouraging growth in membership, publicizing Eliot's services and events, welcoming visitors and encouraging them, when appropriate, to consider becoming members of the Eliot Church.

The Finance Commission
The Stewardship Commission is responsible for the management of the church's financial resources. It develops and manages the annual fund-raising pledge campaign and prepares and monitors the annual operating budget.

The Facilities Commission
The Facilities Commission is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the church building, including rental policies and leases, routine maintenance and major capital repairs and restoration projects.

The Christian Education Commission is responsible for meeting the Christian education needs of children, youth and adults. It helps in choosing curriculum, recruiting teachers, planning adult education, designing youth programs, sponsoring Church School picnics and outings, etc.

The Commission on Mission and Social Justice is responsible for encouraging and implementing ways for the church and its members to live out their Christian ministry, such as serving meals at a homeless shelter, collecting canned goods for AIDS patients, etc; and for determining how the Mission portion of the budget shall be disbursed to various worthwhile mission causes, and for. As part of its Outreach commitment, Eliot is a member congregation in Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries and the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization.

The Parish Life Commission
Is responsible for helping make Eliot a welcoming church, caring for and supporting each other, and promoting fellowship. Sponsored events include Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Caroling to shut-ins, Stone Soup, and Evening Socials. They also coordinate lunches and coffee hours after Worship. In addition, this Commission helps provide care and assistance to shut-ins and members with emergency needs.

474 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02458 - 617-244-3639