A Message from Our Pastor

You're welcome here. Period.

Welcome to the East Woodstock Congregational Church!  We are glad you are here.

I hope you will enjoy looking around at our website. We look good on the screen, but we look even better in person.  I hope you will come to meet us in person.  Please join us for worship at 10:00 a.m. some Sunday morning.

Everyone is welcome at our church. Our congregation endeavors to live out God’s compassion and share God’s welcoming hospitality.  We strive to make a difference in the lives of people in our area and throughout the world.

As you explore our website, you will discover there are many opportunities to get involved in learning, fellowship, worship, and service.

You are invited to join us!  Perhaps you would like to try

  • Worship on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.
  • Bible Study on Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m.  Lively conversation and good fellowship are promised!
  • Teenagers are invited to become part of our youth group or to experience our Youth Internship Program, a hands-on way to learn and serve God.
  • Children are welcome to join the fun at Sunday School each week – we have classes for children, ages 3 – grade 8. 9th graders are encouraged to be part of our confirmation program which offers a chance to explore how to live their faith.
  • Choir (Tuesday evenings) and Bell Choir (Wednesday evenings) offer a wonderful way to be part of a group. Each group makes a joyful noise to the Lord and has a lot of fun doing it!  No experience necessary – come explore your creativity!
  • Church suppers, Craft Fairs, Holiday Gatherings, and of course our Fourth of July Jamboree – there’s a lot going on at our busy church.  We would love to have you join us.

Would you like to learn more? You can sign up for our weekly newsletter.

You are also invited to read my weekly reflections on my blog, www.susanjfoster.net

Feel free to give us a call.  You can email me at ewccpastor@gmail.com.

Or better yet – come and visit!

We are an Open and Affirming congregation who welcome all of God’s people.

Come and experience God’s renewing love and forgiveness with us.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Susan J. Foster

Retirement Announcement

January 8, 2024

Dear Friends,
For the past 36 years it has been my honor and privilege to serve the East Woodstock Congregational Church as your pastor. Now the time has come for me to retire. My final Sunday will be June 16, 2024. I don’t have any concrete expectations for the future, but my tentative plans include caring for my elderly parents and enjoying time with our children.

Together we have been part of our church’s vibrant 270-year history of living and serving as the people of God. Our ministry of welcome, hospitality, and compassion has made an impact locally and globally. I am deeply grateful for all that I have learned with and from you and for the many profound life experiences that we have shared. I felt deeply called to serve as pastor here and that call has lasted through decades of sermons, meetings, visits, and meaningful personal interactions. I give thanks to God for calling me to serve here so I could become part of this congregation and community.

The ministry of a church is bigger than any one person. The strength of this church comes from the Spirit of God working in and through you, the congregation. I am confident that EWCC will continue to be a beacon of hope and caring in a challenging world that needs to be reminded that God is at work among us. Now it is time for the congregation to benefit from new leadership that will help our church continue to navigate the 21st century.

The Southern New England Conference of the UCC and our Regional Minister, the Rev. Carol Steinbrecher, will be available to offer support and guidance to the congregation during this time of transition. I will look forward to opportunities to visit and talk with you in the coming months as we prepare to part ways.
I am filled with gratitude that I was able to live out my ministry with EWCC. You will always be cherished by me, and I will hold each of you in my prayers.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Susan J. Foster

A Letter from Our Transition Team

Dear Members of East Woodstock Congregational Church,

We hope this letter finds you well and blessed in the grace of our Lord. As your Pastoral Transition Team, we wanted to reach out to provide clarity and guidance regarding the upcoming transition process as we prepare to bid farewell to beloved Pastor Susan Foster and welcome new spiritual leadership into our congregation.

Over the coming months, Pastor Sue will be transitioning out of her role as our spiritual leader after 36 years of serving the East Woodstock Congregational Church community. While this news may bring about mixed emotions, it’s essential for us to approach this transition with faith, unity, and a sense of anticipation for what God has in store for our congregation.

A transition team comprised of members from Deacons and Council has been established to oversee and facilitate a smooth progression to new leadership. In our role, we will work closely with area ministry to find an interim pastor. Our interim pastor will work with a search committee that will be put together by the church, likely through a nominating process.

We will also be organizing informational meetings for the congregation in the coming weeks. These meetings will be the first step for us all to work together to learn about the process of Pastor Sue’s retirement and finding a new pastor. Now, more than ever, we need you. Together, we can support one another throughout the transition process and navigate it with positivity and gratitude. Let us not forget that Pastor Sue has led us by empowering strong leadership and teamwork within our church, and this will serve us well in the days to come.

Throughout this process, transparency and open communication will be paramount. We commit to keeping you informed every step of the way, providing regular updates on the progress of our search for an interim minister.

Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to our congregation. Together, let us remain steadfast in our faith and united in our pursuit of God’s will.

With Blessings,
Jennifer Griffin, Amy Hiller White, Dorrie Scranton, Taryn Tomkins
Pastoral Transition Team, East Woodstock Congregational Church