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Frequently Asked Questions
What times do you worship?
On the first Sunday of the month (when we share Communion), we worship with a single service at 9:00 am. On other Sundays, we have two services: a Media Service at 8:30 am for approximately 30–40 minutes, and a Traditional Service at 9:30 am for approximately 45–60 minutes. Between the two services, and after both services, you’re welcome to join us for coffee, juice, and snacks! During the summer months, we usually scale back to ONE service at 9:00 am every week through Labor Day weekend.
What’s a Traditional Service?
This service, which lasts 45–60 minutes, includes a choir, the singing of traditional and contemporary hymns, a children’s time, and a more traditional liturgy. The sermon is typically 10–15 minutes long, connecting Scripture to modern life and current events.
What’s a Media Service?
This is a service where we integrate Scripture and theological themes with music you’ll hear on the radio and/or movie clips from some of our favorite movies. Using special public performance licenses, our Media Team utilizes music and movies from various genres. The Bad Guys, U2, Forrest Gump, and the Avett Brothers have all been used recently, and every Sunday is different! This service usually lasts between 30–40 minutes.
What should I wear to church?
Come as you are! At both services, you’ll encounter people in anything from Green Bay Packers jerseys and jeans to full business attire. Wear anything that will help you feel connected with God and one another.
Are my children welcome in worship?
Absolutely! Our traditional service always includes Children’s Time, where our Pastor and Christian Education Coordinator lead a message specifically for young children. We also have what we call a “PrayGround” at both services—a corner of the sanctuary with coloring materials and quiet toys to play with if your child wants to do something with their hands while they listen to worship.
Am I/my children allowed to take Communion?
At our church, we believe that our communion table does not belong to us. It instead belongs to Christ, who we believe welcomes all to participate. Children of any age may take communion with parental permission.
We typically celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of each month with a single service at 9 am. This service includes both hymns and media components, which we have permission to stream and share, to accommodate both worship styles. This service lasts about 60–75 minutes.
Where should I enter the building?
We have two main entrances: the entrance by the bell tower (facing Beaver Dam Street), and the back entrance with the larger parking lot. More people use the entrance with the larger parking lot, as it’s closer to our fellowship hall and sanctuary.
Uh-oh. I’m a few minutes late to church but I still want to come in. What should I do?
No worries! Enter the building through the “back” (east) entrance with the larger parking lot. You’ll immediately encounter our fellowship hall. The dividing wall between the fellowship hall and the sanctuary will be closed. Walk straight ahead into the left hallway of offices. There’s a doorway into the sanctuary which will be closed but not locked. Open the door and find a seat! You’ll enter into the back of the sanctuary through this door.
Are your services live-streamed?
Yes! Our 9:00 (1st Sunday of the month) and 9:30 (traditional) services are broadcast via Zoom. You’ll find the Zoom link on our home page. They are uploaded to YouTube afterward. Our 8:30 media service is not available on Zoom due to licensing restrictions.
Tell me about your children’s ministry offerings.
We have a nursery for infants and toddlers. (We ask parents to accompany their children since this is currently unstaffed.) We have Sunday School offerings for PreK-5th graders during the 9:30 service which is staffed by our Christian Education Coordinator, along with volunteers who have passed a criminal background check and been trained in appropriate interactions with children. Children attend worship with their families for approximately 15 minutes and are escorted to the youth wing after children’s time. On Communion Sundays (the first Sunday of the month), children and youth worship with their families the entire service.
Is your church accessible to wheelchair users or other disabled people?
Yes! Our worship and community spaces are all wheelchair-accessible, including a ramp up to the chancel. Hearing assistance headsets are also available. Large-print bulletins are available at the back of the sanctuary for those who need them.
Can my child be baptized in your church?
Yes! We recognize baptism as a covenant between the baptized person, God, and a local faith community. We prefer that those who wish to be baptized in our church be involved in the life of our church; part of our baptism liturgy involves the congregation making a promise to support and care for the newly baptized on their faith journey. Before having your child baptized, we ask that your family attend a few of our services to discern if this feels like a good spiritual home for you. You can then talk to our pastor about the baptism process.
Can my partner and I be married in your church?
Although it’s our preference that weddings performed in our church are for people connected to our congregation or close family relations, we would consider performing weddings for non-church-related couples. Please contact our pastor for more information.
Will my children be safe?
We actively follow a Safe Sanctuary policy for the safety of all children in our church. Any adult (volunteer or staff) who works with children must pass a background check and be trained in appropriate interactions before participating in the leadership of any programming.
Do you offer a confirmation program?
Yes! We offer a one-year program in or around the student’s eighth or ninth-grade year, starting in September and ending in May. Contact our pastor or our Christian Education Coordinator for more information.
What are your policies on LGBTQ+ inclusion in your church?
We are a congregation of the United Church of Christ, which has a long history of LGBTQ+ support and affirmation. However, not every congregation in the denomination has done the intentional work of engaging the Open and Affirming process of the United Church of Christ, including us. Our pastor regularly preaches in support of LGBTQ+ concerns, and we can assure you that you will not hear condemning or intolerant messages from our pulpit. For more information, please talk to our pastor.
What do I need to know to become a member?
Only that you would like to continue your spiritual journey with us at Union-Congregational Church! After you’ve worshiped with us and decided you’d like to make our church your spiritual home, you can schedule a time to meet with our pastor. You’ll be received as a new member in the context of a Sunday morning worship service.
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to call us at 920-324-2801 during office hours or email us at uccwaupun@gmail.com.