Sunday School Kickoff!
We know family schedules fill up quickly, so we’re sharing the date early!
Join us on Sunday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. as we kick off our 2026–2027 Sunday School year at Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ.
This year’s kickoff falls beautifully on World Communion Sunday, a day when Christians around the world celebrate our unity in Christ. During worship, we will also hear Jesus’ words from Mark 10:13–16: “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these the kingdom of God belongs.”
It is a perfect way to begin a new year of faith formation—reminding our children that they are not simply the future of the church; they are an important part of the church right now.
Families, children, grandparents, and friends are warmly invited.
Come celebrate a new Sunday School year and the wide, welcoming table of God’s love.
Called To Serve: The Work of the Nominating Committee
Discerning Leadership Together
One of the most important ministries in the life of our congregation happens quietly each year. Long before ballots are prepared or leaders are elected, a small group of Covenant Members begins the prayerful work of discerning who God may be calling to serve.
That group is our Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee does much more than simply fill vacant positions. Their task is to help the congregation identify people whose gifts, experiences, and sense of calling align with the leadership needs of the church.
This is a ministry of discernment, not recruitment.
Listening for God's Call
Throughout Scripture, God calls ordinary people to extraordinary service.
Moses was tending sheep.
Deborah was serving as a judge.
David was caring for his family's flock.
Mary was living an ordinary life in Nazareth.
Again and again, God's call comes to people who may not have imagined themselves as leaders.
The Nominating Committee enters this same spirit of prayerful listening. Rather than asking, "Who is willing?" they begin by asking:
- Who demonstrates wisdom and compassion?
- Who has gifts that would strengthen the congregation?
- Who works collaboratively with others?
- Who lives out our covenant of faith?
- Who may be hearing a call to serve?
Sometimes those individuals have already considered leadership. Sometimes they haven't. Part of the committee's ministry is helping people recognize gifts they may not yet see in themselves.
Representing the Whole Congregation
The Nominating Committee serves on behalf of the entire congregation.
Their responsibility is not to represent one ministry, one board, or one group of members. Instead, they seek to consider the overall health of the church and the gifts needed to support its mission.
This means prayerfully thinking about questions such as:
- Do our leaders reflect the diversity of gifts within our congregation?
- Are we inviting both experienced and newer members into leadership?
- Are we building leadership for today while mentoring leaders for tomorrow?
- Do we have the skills and perspectives needed to faithfully guide the church?
Healthy leadership is strengthened when different experiences, talents, and generations serve together.
