OFFICERS
Pastor:
Rev. Peter Dennebaum
Associate Minister of Christian Education:
Rev. Barbra “Bonnie” Hardy
Director of Music (Interim):
Dudley Oakes
Moderator:
Randy Herrick-Stare
Office Manager:
Barno Khadjibaeva
>> read Officer biographies
COMMISSIONS
Christian Education Commission
The Christian Education Commission is responsible for the nursery, Sunday School, adult nurture, and other special education programs and retreats. The commission meets monthly.
Nursery. Currently, in our interim space, nursery care is provided by volunteers on the first Sunday of each month for infants and toddlers from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. The nursery is staffed by volunteers from the congregation.
Sunday School. Sunday School for preschool children through high school is provided during the regular school year beginning at 1:15 p.m. each Sunday. Each class is organized with from four to eight children and two teachers. We seek to nurture our children and youth first in community, and then through study of the scriptures, church history, and ethical issues.
Children attend our monthly communion and are encouraged to attend worship at other times during the year. They serve as ushers, greeters, candle-lighters, singers, instrumentalists, liturgists, actors and even preachers.
Youth. Our youth play a large part in the church, in the Sunday School as students and teachers, in the nursery and leading worship. Several times during the year they meet for dinner and discussion.
Adult Nurture. Adult nurture takes place on many Sundays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. following worship and fellowship, according to the church’s Google calendar. Themes range from spiritual enrichment to current social issues. Many nurture sessions are led by First Church members who volunteer to share their experiences on a particular topic.
Facilities Commission
Currently, the Facilities Commission manages our tenant relationship with First Trinity Lutheran Church. Upon return to 10th & G, the commission will oversee building operations including space use, utilities, contracts, etc.
Finance Commission
The Finance Commission is responsible for the financial affairs of the church, subject to church policy and regulations prescribed by the laws of the District of Columbia. The commission organizes an annual stewardship campaign to obtain financial support from church members and friends, produces the annual budget for congregational approval, and conducts annual appeals for One Great Hour of Sharing and Neighbors in Need, both UCC national offerings. The commission meets monthly.
Social Action and Awareness Commission
The Social Action and Awareness Commission meets quarterly to coordinate the church’s social action and mission projects. It develops educational programs in conjunction with the Christian Education Commission. Past programs have focused on just peace issues, Central America, Christian faith and economic justice, the nature of evangelism, and other compelling issues of our times.
The commission links the church to the Washington Office of the UCC Office for Church in Society and to missions of the Potomac Association, Central Atlantic Conference and national church bodies.
Second Sunday Offerings. The commission is responsible for developing and coordinating the Second Sunday Offering program which supports projects of particular merit both in the downtown and through national advocacy.
Worship Commission
The Worship Commission works closely with the staff to plan our services, to coordinate participants and to integrate music into worship. The commission is also responsible for scheduling and coaching lay liturgists who usually lead one of the three parts of our service. Commission members meet once a month to review previous services, plan special services, consider changes, and seek congregational guidance. The commission also examines hymns, prayers and other worship resources with an eye to enhancing the service and using language which allows all people to feel included in the worship and as children of God.
Worship Commission members prepare communion, coordinate the ushers and greeters, and arrange for “early birds” to set up the sanctuary for worship. The commission devises ways to enhance the sanctuary through the use of flowers and greenery, cloths, candles, art work and light.
Each fall, the commission works in concert with the Council to plan the Fall Spiritual Retreat. In Lent, the commission plans a theme for the church to explore in worship, adult nurture, and cluster group meetings.
Music Committee
The Music Committee supports and guides the music ministry, works with the director of music and other staff to implement programs, and collaborates with other church groups to integrate music programs into the life and witness of the church
Site Redevelopment Task Force
The Task Force oversees all issues relating to the redevelopment of the church’s site at 10th & G Streets. It coordinates the work of several sub-task forces: legal, design, and budget.
Bylaws
Download the Church Bylaws (in PDF).
