At Hancock Church, we believe our members and ministers partner together to lead our church into the future: Our ministers provide important theological frameworks for the work of our members in areas such as finance and faith formation, among many other ministries. This work is primarily done through teams. No one is required to serve on a team, but choosing to do so can be a rewarding way to serve our community and lead our church. Every January, our Nominating Team begins the work of finding church members to serve on our teams.
The Standing Committee of Hancock is the overall leadership team for the church. It acts as an executive committee led by the Moderator (chairperson) and ministers. The committee is comprised of the officers of the church, the chairpersons of the key church committees and teams, and 5 members at large representing the congregation. The Standing Committee is charged with
- assuring the day to day operations of the church are in line with the values and expectations of the congregation
- making decisions on behalf of the congregation as needed
- and calling meetings of the entire congregation for approval of items affecting our future such as our Vision, Mission and Values statement or becoming an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation
Adult Christian Education Team
Adult Christian Education Team works with the ministerial staff to provide creative, diverse, and engaging programs for the faith formation of adults of Hancock Church. Offerings in the past have included conversations about finding Sabbath in the midst of our hectic lives, the connection between neuroscience and spiritual practice, and the theology of popular music. Additionally, they coordinate the weekly pastor’s class, the first Thursday book group, and the Women’s Retreats. It’s the perfect team for someone who loves to learn and think creatively about ways to engage our congregation.
The Children’s Christian Education Team
The Children’s Christian Education Team seeks to build community among the parents of our church school children. All parents of church school children are ad hoc members of this Team but others interested in this area are welcome as well.
The Prudential Team
The Prudential Team oversees the maintenance, safety and upkeep of all church properties, including: organizing work projects, overseeing community rentals, and organizing multiple workdays.
Parish Life Team
Parish Life Team cares for Hancock through the ministry of food and fellowship. With our new kitchen at their disposal, this faithful team hosts our weekly coffee hour after worship, and organizes the Palm Sunday Brunch, and progressive dinners. Anyone who likes to host, find fellowship around food, or meet new people would be quite at home on this team.
Endowment/Finance Team
Endowment Team and Finance Team oversee the long-term and short-term financial health of the church, respectively. While Finance faithfully visions the church budget and guides us through each fiscal year, Endowment protects the investment and distribution of endowed funds, which support the health of the church for years to come. Either of these teams would engage anyone with an analytical mind, a passion for visioning or skill with numbers.
Congregational Care
While Congregational Care is the work of the entire congregation, the core team oversees the various ministries of care here at Hancock Church. Some of these ministries include visits, rides to church, delivering Sunday flowers, knitting prayer shawls, preparing and delivering casseroles and praying for our congregation. This team has a vital role in supporting the ministerial staff here at church. This team would appeal to anyone who likes to meet and talk with new people, or prayer and care for others.
The Deacons
The Deacons’ primary ministry to Hancock involves caring for our worship services and spaces. They do this through coordinating and distributing communion, decorating the sanctuary during Advent, coordinating the deliveries of Christmas and Easter flowers, and occasionally working with the ministerial staff to think theologically about the practice of worship. Additionally, the Deacons also help coordinate the beloved annual Senior Picnic. Anyone who takes pride in our worship spaces and services would be a good fit on Deacons.
Mission and Justice Team
The Mission and Justice Team leads and engages Hancock members of all ages in promoting a more just and humane world through acts of service to those in need. Such service may take the form of planned donations to designated organizations, timely responses to urgent needs, and leading the congregation in the regular giving of goods and volunteering of time and talents at the local, national, and global levels. The team supports and identifies volunteer and giving opportunities for a variety of charities, including, but not limited to, Manger Sunday (benefiting City Mission Society), Lexington Food Pantry, and Interfaith Garden.
Welcoming Team
The Welcoming Team works to build community by making meaningful connections with the people who come to the church. In so doing, we seek to engage everyone who crosses Hancock’s threshold in the life of the church, including first-time visitors, all attendees and Hancock members. The team also organizes the popular “Hancock Grills” summer barbecues. Anyone who likes to new people would be quite at home on this team.
Giving Team
The Giving Team coordinates the annual finance support drive for the mission of Hancock Church and celebrates the time and talents that we are called to give to God.
Nominating Team
The Nominating Team matches members’ interests with the needs of the church. We are the team that helps the congregation find a role on a team. We also coordinate the volunteers that are interested in one time or small project roles. This team is for you if you are interested in the opportunity to meet people.
Assistant Collectors
Assistant Collectors aid the collector by accounting for the weekly offering after the service. The collectors are paired together and count the offering ten to twelve times a year. If you are a math enthusiastic please consider volunteering.
The Potter Library
The Potter Library maintains and makes available for loan an extensive collection of publications relating to biblical and religious subjects as well as children and adult fiction and biographies. New acquisitions are ongoing. If you have a love of books please join this team.
Television
Television team runs Hancock’s television studio. Hancock is blessed to be able to televise our weekly worship services. We are always looking for volunteers to assist in our state of the art studio during worship.
Hancock Environmental Action Team
The Hancock Environmental Action Team (HEAT) provides a forum for Hancock members and friends to learn about options to reduce their impact on the earth. It is a source of ideas and enthusiasm for members and friends to explore how changes in Hancock Church can reduce the impact of our congregation and facilities on the environment. HEAT meets periodically.
Human Resources Team
Human Resources Team provides support when it is time to hire new staff and oversight and guidance of our staff concerning issues of Human Resources. The team welcomes those with Human Resources experience.
Immigrant and Refugee Justice Team
The Immigrant and Refugee Justice Team works both to raise awareness in the congregation about immigrant and refugee issues, and to promote action so that every person, regardless of nationality, group, or status, is treated justly with respect, compassion, and understanding. Please join us.
Seminarian Advisory
Hancock Church has had a strategic partnership with Andover Newton at Yale for more than 50 years. It’s mission has been to educate learned clergy, particularly those who serve in the family of locally-governed, “small c” congregational traditions, such as the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches (USA). Hancock Church has served as the church home for more than 60 student ministers over the years. As part of our commitment to the inclusion of seminarians on our staff we provide them with guidance through our Advisory team.
Remembrance Hall/Memorial Garden
In the center of our church we have a garden. If you are interested in the upkeep of the Memorial Garden and Remembrance Hall
