A variety of Ministry Teams carry out the work of our congregation – Worship Ministry, Membership & Parish Care, Service & Missions, Justice & Advocacy Ministry, Property Ministry, and Stewardship & Finance. Read more about each one below. Getting involved in one of these ministries is the best way to get engaged in our congregational life. The chair of each ministry serves on our Church Council – the decision making body of our congregation.
Worship Ministry
We are currently gathering for in person and live stream worship every Sunday at 10:00. Follow us on Facebook to watch us live or email the church office for a Zoom link. We are following CDC guidelines for COVID precautions. Check out our protocol here.
Thursday Evening Vespers at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Email the church office today for an invite!
A fellowship hour follows worship on the first Sunday of the month. Coffee and snacks are provided.
Our Worship Ministry meets monthly on Zoom to discuss and plan for worship. Anyone is welcome to attend and help create a meaningful worship experience for our congregation. Email Pastor Karen for the link.
Music is a vital part of our worship experience. Adults, youth, and children can contribute their musical talent at Sojourners: singing in Sojourners Choir, playing an instrumental piece during the offertory or providing special music for the service when the choir is on hiatus.
Email our Minister of Music to find out how to join the choir or contribute your musical talents to our worship.
Membership & Parish Care
Our Membership & Parish Care team takes the lead in caring for our members and friends through a variety of ways. They arrange our fellowship hour after church service on Sundays. They provide receptions after church related events like funerals and special events. They take the lead in keeping us connected to one another and reaching out when folks in our congregation are in need.
M&PC hosts a new member gathering quarterly. This is a time to learn about who we are and what we do as a congregation. We usually have an opportunity to join the church one Sunday following each new member gathering. Email the church office about the next New Member Gathering. Or email Pastor Karen if you are interested in joining.
Service and Missions
Significant annual giving is an important part of our mission. The congregation has committed itself to setting aside a substantial percentage of its income for use beyond the local church.
SAM (Service and Missions) meets quarterly to discuss our congregation’s charitable giving and organize church wide outreach opportunities. Watch our calendar page for upcoming meeting times and mail the church office for a link.
Faith Formation
Sojourners is a child-friendly community. Children are welcome to attend part or all of our worship services. There is a specially designated “Time with Children” offered year-round which typically consists of a time of sharing with the children and the pastor, or a designated member of the congregation.
Email Pastor Amanda to find out more about faith formation activities for children or to join our Faith Formation ministry team. We are always looking for volunteers and Sunday School teachers.
Justice and Advocacy Ministry
Social justice is a central concern at Sojourners United Church of Christ. We are committed to racial justice and LGBTQ justice.
Our JAM group (Justice and Advocacy Ministry), or Jammers as they like to be called, meet on Zoom the first Monday of the month at 7:00 PM. Their meetings often include a guest speaker from a justice related organization in the community. This is a great place to hear about justice events and actions both within our church and in the wider community.
Email the church office for a link to JAM meetings.
Property Ministry
Our Property Ministry are the folks who faithfully care for our buildings and grounds. They schedule cleanings, meet with contractors, maintain the gardens outside, care for The Alyssa House, and so much more to make sure our space is safe, accessible, and welcoming to all people. You can read more about our space here, including our rain gardens and our dedicated Elm Tree. You can also find out about how to rent our space.
Stewardship & Finance
Our Stewardship & Finance team does the work of managing the church’s finances.
Personnel
Other Events in our Church
Heading Outdoors
At least once a year the women at Sojourners enjoy a camping weekend at Lake Sherando — whether you like to read, hike, swim, talk, laugh, sing, hang out at a campsite (or all of these) — this is a chance to do just that. Those who prefer shorter trips go for the day.
Excursions like day hikes also crop up from time to time for everyone to enjoy — one year a hike included stunning views and even a black bear sighting!
Welcome Table
Once a month during the school year, Sojourners and special young women from Charlottesville gather for Welcome Table. They enjoy exercise, conversation, dinner and an activity. The group also nurtures our longstanding relationship with Innisfree Village, strengthening Sojourners’ connections with the volunteers and co-workers. It also takes an interest in the post-high school programs for developmental disabilities in area schools.
Two of the year’s highlights are the annual visit to a sheep farm to see the baby lambs and our special Welcome Table Christmas potluck and carol sing. Many people consider this a “must-do” Advent activity showing up to break bread together and then sing, dance and act out the “12 Days of Christmas”!
Past Congregational Events
Plenty Good Room: Gospel Music Fest and Brunch
In May 2013 an amazing committee and many other Sojourners pitched in to make our first “fun/fund raiser” a great success! We’re also grateful to those who supported us with their attendance and donations. The event featured a number of talented musicians, delicious homemade food, a trivia contest with prizes donated from local businesses, and a joy-filled atmosphere. The choir sang songs like: “Motho a Wela,” (a contemporary folk song from South Africa) and “Jesus Is a Rock” (a traditional African-American gospel) and those at the end of the event joined their voices for “Come and Go with Me to That Land.” We’re pleased that we not only met, but exceeded, our fundraising goal for the day!
Sojourners Capital Campaign
During our 2009 Capital Campaign, several Sojourners offered reflections about the church during our worship services. Below is a link to the “commercial” one family made for the campaign.
Capital Campaign Commercial (m4v, 40MB)