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The Winslow Congregational Church has been ministering to this community and the world since 1828. We are committed to exploring and expressing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and providing worship, Christian nurture, and opportunities for ministry for all who join with us.
We are a mainline Protestant church and a member of the Kennebec Valley Association of the Maine Conference, a member of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ. We recognize the autonomy of the local church, but equally affirm our convenantal relationship with our denomination.
We are an open, welcoming part of the body of Christ, seeking not only to be connected to the Christian faith's shaping history, but also to follow faithfully God's frequent calls to new service in each age.
We welcome you among us and invite you to share in our fellowship, our faith and our future.
Rev. Harold Tucker - Top
The Rev. Dr. Harold W. Tucker was born in Millville New Jersey on June 24, 1936 and grew up in Taunton, Massachusetts. He attended the Providence Country Day School, before going to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine where he graduated in 1958 with a BA degree. He is a 1961 graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and in 1978 he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Christian Theolgical Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Ordained to the Christian
ministry in l961 at the Kellogg Congregational Church in Harpswell,
Maine, he served churches in New Smyrna Beach and Homestead, Florida,
followed by pastorates in Indianapolis and Greenwood, Indana. While in
Indiana he taught on the adjunct faculties of Indiana Central
University and Christian Theological Seminary.
Returning to Maine in 1984 he served for nine years as pastor at
the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset and another nine at the
Broad Bay Congregational UCC in Waldoboro. Following fifteen months in
retirement he returned to pastor work on October 1, 2004 when he
accepted the call to serve as minister of the Winslow Congregational
Church.
He is married to Bettina
Smith and has four children, Tracy, Kim, Tuck (Harold III), and Todd
and two step sons. He has eight grandchildren.
He is the author of a book on church history, Ye Olde First Parish, published in 1998.
In 1949, the Winslow Congregational Church adopted a constitution to express the covenant with its members and the United Church of Christ and to govern the organization of the church and its activities. Click here for the Winslow Congregational Church Constitution (Microsoft Word, 67 Kb).
There are four boards and five committees which aid the functioning of the church. Summaries are provided below.
- Board of Deacons - Aids
the minister in the spiritual and pastoral care
of the Church, assists with confirmation,
approves candidates for church membership, and
assists in administration of the sacraments.
- Board of Trustees - The
custodians of all Church property, records, funds
and investments. They arrange for all necessary
care and upkeep of the Church.
- Board of Christian
Education - Supervises and directs the
Church school, appoints the superintendent and
teachers, and develops other Christian education
activities of the Church.
- Board of Missions and
Service - Responsible for the Church's
mission programs, provides resources to help the
congregation understand the scope and purpose of
mission, and inform and encourage the
congregation toward new mission opportunities.
- Board of Budget and
Stewardship - Responsible for the annual
stewardship campaign, prepares the annual church
budget, and presents the budget at the Annual
Meeting of the Church.
- Audit Committee - Audits
the financial records of the Church and its
organizations.
- Memorial Committee - Keeps
an accurate account of funds received by the
Church in memoriam and directs the expenditure of
such funds in consultation with the Church
Council.
- Nominating Committee - Submits
the slate of candidates for Church officers,
Board and Committee membership.
- Pastoral Relations Committee - Maintains good relations, mutual trust, and open communications between the Church and its Minister(s).
The Female Society of Winslow for the Support of the Gospel - Top
When Winslow was first settled in the late 1700's, the Reverend Joshua Cushman was hired to preach. After 20 years, the townspeople became dissatisfied with his preaching and his contract was paid off. During the next years, there were few ministers available and the women of the town became anxious for their families to have religious instruction.
In June 1819, seventeen women met together and, with the help of Rev. Thomas Adams of Vassalboro, they formed "The Benevolent Society of Winslow and Clinton (now Benton)" and adopted a constitution that is still used today. In 1821, the northerly members of Winslow and Clinton withdrew, leaving the group with its current name and membership, "The Female Society of Winslow for the Support of the Gospel."
So far as is known, it is the oldest women's organization in the state of continuous activity. The group meets once a year on the third Tuesday in June. It is a custom to enroll a baby daughter or granddaughter as a member at the first June meeting following her birth.
For several years after its founding, the dues were $1.00 a year. Then, some young women wished to join, but they would pay only 25 cents. After much discussion, their wish was granted, but the with the stipulation that members should pay more if able. Probably no other organization exists that has not increased its dues in more than 175 years.
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This
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