As an introduction to our ministries, here is our Future Directions Vision, approved by our congregation by unanimous vote on October 28, 2018:

The United Church of Strafford aspires to be a welcoming congregation of open doors, hearts and minds, accepting our imperfections, embracing our differences and other cultures and traditions, and maintaining freedom to choose beliefs as individuals while living up to the name United Church.  We want to be a place of faithful Christ-like love to which anyone who needs spiritual, personal or material support can turn, a beloved community connecting deeply and sharing honestly our joys and concerns, honoring and celebrating the experience of our elders and helping to raise the children of the town, a warm nest for us to land in when we are new to the church that becomes in time our spiritual home and extended family.

We want to be a congregation that has vital involvement in everyday life in the community and that reaches out to help those in need.  We intend to be a force, not just a presence, responding to wrongs, threats and destructive forces in the world and effecting positive social change, connecting religion to issues of peace, justice and the care of God’s creation.

We want this congregation to be a sanctuary in the midst of a complex world where we come to be renewed to go out and serve again.  We need it to be a place of inspiration and wisdom, with worship services that allow us to connect to our better selves and reflect on a deeper meaning in life, enriched by beautiful words and music, by traditional scriptures, rituals and church seasons, by other religious perspectives and by contemporary voices that help us find new ways of speaking about God and the spiritual realm.  We want to offer training in contemplative practice and cultivate a way of seeing the world and our lives as sacred.  We want to be a center for questioning and discussing, learning and growing.  We hope to consider seemingly insurmountable world problems and find a ladder of faith, hope and love to climb out into thought and action, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

We want to create a safe forum where we can consider big questions and controversial issues, sharing with healthy communication, where we can disagree and still get along, listening humbly, openly and with fairness and compassion to others with differing views.

We rely on the dedication and generous gifts of our congregational leaders and volunteers.  We value traditions and also embrace evolution when change is necessary.  We understand that to serve younger generations we need to find new ways of being a church that work for them.  We want to help parents see that their children can benefit from what church uniquely offers and to have children involved in every aspect of church life.

We appreciate the old feeling and simplicity of the spirit-filled place in which we worship. It was built with love and we want to continue to love and care for it.  We also appreciate the beauty of what takes place within it—worship and the music in worship and concerts that is so important to us and all our acts of creativity, compassion and love.

Deacons Fund

This fund is managed by the Deacons to help those in the community experiencing difficult times. By donating to the United Church of Strafford’s Deacons Fund, the Deacons are able, in complete confidentiality and with care, to assist those in our community who find themselves in a tight spot.  You can donate online to the fund by clicking here and indicating in the box to the right of your donation amount that your contribution is for the Deacons Fund.

Mission Committee

We have an active Mission Committee that exists to distribute church- designated funds to groups and organizations that directly provide relief and support to people in distress. In addition, the committee strives to engage the congregation in mission projects. The committee looks at projects on local, regional, national and global levels and is grateful for new ideas for mission work. The values of the committee are found in Matthew 25:31-46 which states, “Lord, when was it we saw you hungry or thirsty, or a stranger and we helped you?….The king answered, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Seniors/Elders or Children/Youth – Need a ride to church? Let us know and we’ll arrange a ride. Write us at info@unitedchurchofstrafford.com

Fulfilling Our Vision Committee

Our Future Directions vision says in part, “We intend to be a force, not just a presence, responding to wrongs, threats and destructive forces in the world and effecting positive social change, connecting religion to issues of peace, justice and the care of God’s creation.”  The Fulfilling Our Vision Committee engages in a variety or activities to pursue that mission.  It has worked on the climate crisis, anti-racism, supporting LGBTQ+ people and establishing a local Native American reparations fund.

Music

We are blessed with a rich history of music and a choir that loves to sing from a variety of traditions.  Thanks in part to the Manheim Fund for the Sacred Arts and the generous sharing of pianist Annemieke McLane’s talents and endless enthusiasm we host a number of concerts and opportunities for singing and performing in our sanctuary.

Child Care and Spiritual Exploration

As you enter the church, you will see there is a Children’s Nook! This space has been created to encourage children and families to remain in the sanctuary throughout worship. This desire for intergenerational worship may include more noise and more children’s voices, even during the times of silent reflection. We ask that we all find grace in our hearts and in our minds as we welcome children in our worship. If families need a different space for the remainder of worship, the church library and the pastor’s office are open and prepared to welcome children and their parents.

Youth have historically been involved in a variety of ways.  They have provided childcare,  participated in the Pageant and Lord’s Acre events, attended occasional programming specifically for youth, and sometimes played instruments during worship or have sung in the adult choir.  They also have done an amazing job of serving as Zoom Master and Recording Engineer!