We Serve

Walking the Talk

Faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)

Our Beneficent Church family takes this idea to heart. Led by our love for the community and our God-given inspiration to care for those in need, we find many ways to serve.

That service work helps those inside our church – sharing prayers, resources, and fellowship with our faith community – as well as those we may never meet.

Who do we help? And how?

Sharing

We give money, food and supplies.

Giving

We give our time and labor. 

Sponsoring

We sponsor events in the community.

Serving Within the Church

In addition to helping our neighbors, our members actively serve the Beneficent Church community. True to the democratic
Congregationalist model, the decisions of the church are made by the church members themselves. Committees govern all aspects of church life – including everything from our Christian Education programs and personnel matters to overseeing the church’s investment portfolio to leading our social-justice work.

Church Council

The leading body of the church, Beneficent’s Council includes committee chairs and pastoral staff. Included in their work is the governance of the Church and planning for Beneficent’s future.

Board of Deacons

This team assists the pastors with specific aspects of the worship experience, makes visits to homebound members, and helps care for the overall spiritual life of the Beneficent community.

Agape Committee

The members of this team support the physical, mental, and spiritual health of Beneficent members and friends through a variety of educational and social events and programs.

Beneficent Women’s Guild

This legacy organization offers educational and social programs of interest to the Beneficent community, and supports local, national, and global ministries and missions.

Christian Education Committee

This team is responsible for shepherding the faith formation of our youth and adults. Committee members plan educational and programming events (especially for our youth), and some teach or assist with Sunday School.

Community Ministry

The members of this team work on specific projects of interest to the community, offering opportunities for members to engage in a variety of initiatives and events, ranging from a coat drive to a theater trip aligned with our racial-justice work.

Finance Committee

This group oversees the budget and prayerfully manages Beneficent’s financial resources, providing transparency for members and creating systems to provide for the Church’s future.

Generosity Committee

Formerly the Stewardship Committee, this group oversees all the ways Beneficent members and friends give of their time, talents, and treasure, including matching up volunteers with work that needs to be done.

Investment Committee

This committee oversees the investments and endowments entrusted to Beneficent Church from former members. Maintaining careful stewardship of these resources is an
integral part of Beneficent’s legacy.

Justice and Witness Ministries Committee

This committee performs community outreach in a number of ways, including service projects, educational programs, social and environmental justice and advocacy, and interfaith initiatives.

Membership Committee

Working with the pastoral staff, this group extends the hand of welcome to those who are new and supports those who are interested in joining Beneficent’s community as full members.

Nominating Committee

This group’s charge is to recruit the best
possible candidates for Beneficent’s leadership, ensuring that its composition reflects our diversity. They also work with the pastoral staff to provide training for new and returning leaders as needed.

Organ Committee

This group is managing the replacement of the primary organ used for worship in the Meeting House, including structural changes, financial requirements, and the organ’s potential to offer an educational resource for the community.

Personnel Committee

This team supports the Senior Minister in all matters related to staffing needs, compensation, personnel policies, and other topics necessary to manage our human resources.

Property Committee

The Property Committee oversees maintenance of, and improvements to, the Church’s physical plant, including the
main building, Round Top Center, and Palmer House.

Scholarship Committee

This group reviews applications and presents scholarships to Beneficent members using funds that were left to Beneficent’s care by former members. (Application and details
are available here.)

Community Service

How do we put our thoughts into action?

Find Our More

Music Program

Our expanding music program serves our community during worship as well as those outside our doors.

Learn More

Join Us

Interested in learning more about how to become a member?

Find Out How to Join

Ever since we started attending, Beneficent aided our family through the toughest times we never saw coming. When I was praying to God for discernment about whether to keep the lights on, or tell my children we could only afford tap water in the house for the month with no more milk or juice, Beneficent stepped in to help, without me having to ask. Prayers go up and blessings come down. Beneficent is a blessing.

Amy Santiago

I find Beneficent to be a place filled with people who want to live out what I love about being a part of the UCC, with a commitment to figuring out what it means to be multiracial and anti-racist and just peace, open and affirming and welcoming to all.

Valerie Tutson

I love Beneficent because it is a big part of my life. Here I went on my first spiritual mission and enjoy gathering with neighbors and friends after worship. To give back, I’ve served as a Deacon and with the Beneficent Society as well as the Investment and Nominating committees; I also have been both Vice Moderator and Moderator. Currently, I serve on the Personnel Committee and as the Chair of Finance Committee and hold other roles. Beneficent is my family, and I support it however I can.

Jay Frails