Top 20 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Address & Phone #? 233 Main St., Terryville, CT 06786. Office Hours Monday-Friday 10am-2pm. Office phone # (860) 589-0182
2. Pastor & Staff Contact Info?
Rev. Zachary Mabe – Pastor – call using the number above or email zackmabe@hotmail.com
Jennifer Zalaski – Christian Education Director – email johnzalaski@sbcglobal.net
Music Director – Paul Bilodeau – email lownotespaul@gmail.com
Treasurer – our finances are handled by a company called NESSO – please email our Secretary with any questions (see below)
Tracy Fitzpatrick – Secretary – email terryvillechurch@hotmail.com
3. Parking lots, entrances, and rooms to rent? We have two parking lots – the large, main one (located to the left if you are facing the front of the building) and one in the back. We also have a few parking spots on the right side of the building. The entrance next to our main parking lot will take you into our Social Hall, the largest room we have for gatherings (other than the Sanctuary). The entrance in the back parking lot will take you to the church office and to the Activity Room (smaller than the Social Hall, this room is also fit for gatherings). Both the Social Hall and the Activity Room can be rented for gatherings. Please call the office to arrange a room rental (860) 589-0182.
4. Brief history of the church? Our congregation was founded in 1838 when some members decided to leave Plymouth Congregational Church and start their own church on this end of town. In December of 1967, the building was lost in a fire. The church was rebuilt and opened again around 1969. Our church has a deep and meaningful history and has always been of central importance in town. We helped start Terry Nursery School, Eli Terry Retirement Community, the Plymouth Community Food Pantry, and are always in close contact with Plymouth Human Services regarding needs that may arise in our community. In addition to regular worship, Bible Study, Sunday school classes, fellowship events, and local service projects, our congregation also works to help the wider world. We have made several trips to South Dakota with an organization called Simply Smiles, to help the local Native American community in LaPlant, SD. We also maintain a KIVA account which gives small loans to people in need all around the world. Our congregation is a member of the United Church of Christ.
5. Do I have to be a member to come to a church service or to an event? Absolutely not – all are welcome to attend any of our worship services, events, programs, etc. We would love to meet you and welcome you!
6. What should I expect at a Sunday morning service? Is there a particular dress code required? What about my children? All are welcome to join us Sundays at 10am for worship. Come as you are – no particular dress code is required (some people prefer to come dressed “business,” others “business casual,” and others “casual”). If you have children ages 2 and under, we have a nursery room which you are welcome to use. You are also welcome to keep the children in worship with you. If you have children ages pre-K to eighth grade, we have Sunday school which they are welcome to attend (it happens at the same time as worship. Everyone begins in the Sanctuary together at 10am and, after a “children’s message,” the Sunday school children are invited to attend class. Again, children are also welcome to stay in worship with their parents if the parents prefer). If you have a child in 9th grade, they are welcome to join our Confirmation Class (meets Sundays at 11:30am, after worship). We also have a youth fellowship group for high school students which meets for various activities and events throughout the year.
7. What are your core beliefs? What kind of church are you? Do you have a mission statement, vision statement, and/or statement of faith? We are followers of Jesus Christ. We are considered a mainline protestant church, similar in many ways to American Baptists, Lutherans (ELCA), Presbyterians, Methodists, & Episcopal churches. Here are our mission, vision and statements of faith:
Our Mission: The avowed purpose of this Church shall be to worship God; to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and our Judeo-Christian faith story; to celebrate the sacraments; to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this Church and the Church Universal; to render loving service toward others; and to strive for righteousness, justice and peace.
Our Vision: Terryville Congregational Church strives to be a warm and hospitable place of welcome and of Christ’s good news, a place that is open to the creative ideas of God’s Spirit, a place that shepherds its people and reaches out to others and all the while a place that encourages community partnership… a place that has fun while nurturing the Christian journey, while communicating and living its mission.
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the form of a doxology
We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image,and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil,to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.
Amen.
8. Is your building handicap accessible? We have a handicap accessible Social Hall, Narthex, and Sanctuary, which is where most of our big events take place (services, receptions, etc.). From the parking lot, enter the Social Hall; from the Social Hall, we have a lift which will take you to the Narthex (where there is a handicap accessible bathroom); the Sanctuary is attached to the Narthex.
9. Will I be able to follow and understand the worship service? When you come in the main door on Sunday morning, you will be greeted by our ushers who will give you a bulletin. The bulletin will guide you through the worship service – prayers, scripture readings, hymns, sermon, etc., and it will designate when to stand and when to remain seated. You will see that we have a variety of ages in worship – from babies to people in their 90s – a warm place filled with God’s love. After worship, you are welcome to join us downstairs for coffee and light refreshments in our Social Hall. If you have any questions, you can ask an usher, our Deacon or Trustee of the month, or ask to speak with the Pastor.
10. Is there a place where I can see a list of Sunday’s scripture readings, and read ahead? Yes, for our Sunday services we use the Revised Common Lectionary. The Lectionary is an ecumenical way to a) read and share scripture with our brothers and sisters in a variety of churches across the world, and b) read scripture that is appropriate to each season of the Church Year. You may find a complete list of the scripture on the lectionary website, found here: Lectionary Website
11. Do you have Holy Communion? Yes, we celebrate two Sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion. Baptism occurs upon request, and Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. In addition to our weekly worship, we also have special worship services on many of the Holy Days throughout the year – Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Christmas Eve. We also participate with other churches in town for Ecumenical events – Lenten Lunches (Tuesdays during Lent), Easter sunrise, Thanksgiving Eve, and a Christmas Walk (first Sunday in December).
12. What about tithing or pledging? We rely on pledging from our members in order to operate our building and provide a staff including a full-time pastor (who is available for any one in town, member or non-member). We also have fundraisers throughout the year to help support our budget. In the Bible, tithing is emphasized as giving 10% of one’s earnings. Pledging is voluntary way of making a commitment to fulfill that tithe, and it is an important commitment one makes to see that our church continue to be available as a bright light in our community. Our church not only provides worship, Holy Communion, weddings, baptisms, funerals, Christian Education and Holy Day services; we also support Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Daisies, Al Anon, and other community groups; we host a community-wide Vacation Bible School each summer in July; and we provide a variety of local and global outreach and assistance to people in need. None of this would be possible without the faithful generosity of our people, who are responding with love to God’s faithful generosity which blesses us all. Both members and non-members are encouraged to make a pledge. We have online giving (see the button on the homepage) or you may bring or mail your donation to our church.
13. What if I have another question? What if I am interested in joining the church? We would love to welcome you into membership! We are a member congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Being “congregational” means that all of the decisions about our church are made by the members of the congregation. We have annual congregation meetings, and in-between those meetings the business is handled by our committees and our church council. If you are interested in learning more, you can read more on the UCC website; you can join us for new member orientations which occur in April and in October; you can speak to our Pastor any time; and you can speak with any one of our lay leaders. New members are normally received two times per year, in May and in November (following the orientation sessions which are held the month prior). The UCC’s national headquarters are in Cleveland, OH, and the UCC churches of New England are partnered through covenant in the Southern New England Conference of the UCC.
14. Is there a list of your yearly events and ministries that might help me further familiarize myself with the church? Back on the website homepage, click under “connect with us” and you can read our monthly newsletter & calendar. Connecting with us on our Facebook page is also a great way to learn more about us. We also produce an Annual Report which gives a summary of all of the work of our committees and staff.
15. What if I am a non-member but I am interested in having a Wedding, Baptism, Memorial Service, or another special service or event at the church? We try our best to be available to welcome and help all people. Call our office at 860-589-0182 and we will try our best to assist you.
16. Do you rent rooms in the building for birthday parties, baby showers, etc? Yes, please call our office at (860) 589-0182 and our secretary will assist you.
17. What is Terry Nursery School? Our church helped to found Terry Nursery School (TNS) in the 1970s, and later it became its own 501-c-3 non-profit organization which rented space in our building. Unfortunately, in fall of 2021, the school had to close due to many other free preschool options for families in our community. For 50 years TNS helped to raise the children of our town and created wonderful memories for many families. It leaves a great legacy and it will be missed! We are currently in the process of trying to find a new non-profit organization that can use that section of our building.
18. Does the church run Eli Terry Retirement Community? Our church helped in the start of Eli Terry Retirement Community over 25 years ago, and now they are their own organization. You may reach their office at (860) 589-1160.
19. Does the church have a list of local, helping resources — food, financial assistance, etc.? Here is a listing we put together: Terryville Community Resources
Here’s a link to the full booklet “Programs that Help People in Connecticut” put out by the Connecticut Association for Human Services: Programs that Help People in Connecticut
20. I am new to town. Can the church help me with learning my way around? Below are some helpful websites. If you have other questions please call us and we will try our best to help. Welcome to town and may God bless you!
The Plymouth Connection (currently print-only)
Plymouth Food Pantry (860) 584-1750