Pilgrims' United Church of Christ is a welcoming, inclusive, biblically responsible, theologically progressive church. Our members worship joyfully and grow intellectually and spiritually as we express Jesus' love and concern to our community and the world.

Pilgrims' United Church of Christ in Fruitland Park, Florida is a congregation within the United Church of Christ. The denomination was formed in 1957 when the Evangelical & Reformed and the Congregational Christian Churches united. The E&R Church was rooted in the old German Lutheran and Reformed traditions. The Congregational churches go back to the 1620 Plymouth ("Pilgrims") and the Massachusetts Bay Colonies.

Pilgrims' was a "new church start" in 1990, formed as a progressive/liberal alternative to the churches typical of this area. The name "Pilgrims'" was chosen to honor the pilgrim tradition of one branch of the UCC and also to attract folks moving to this area from the Northeast and upper Midwest who routinely have difficulty finding a familiar church environment. The first service was held on September 9, 1990. October of 1990 the first 23 members were received. Membership now varies between 150 and 200. The dedication of our present church facility was held on December 15, 1996.

The work of the church is organized according to an adaptation of John Calvin's classical ministries of the Reformed tradition.

• Ministry of Spiritual Formation (responsible for the spiritual life of the church, teaching, education, nurture, growth, development and formation in Christian thinking).
• Ministry Of Caring (responsible for the care of the Church membership and its growth and for supporting visitation).
• Ministry of Missions (responsible for assuring that the Church is involved in expressing the Gospel message of justice, reconciliation, peace, reverence for the creation, through cooperation with other faith communities and through missions giving).
• Ministry of Fellowship (responsible for coordinating arts & events activities, congregational dinners and receptions).
• Ministry of Worship (responsible for assisting clergy in planning and leading worship and for assisting music staff and musicians).
• Ministry of Communications (responsible for advertising and for spreading news inside and outside the congregation).

Pilgrims' is a church in the Free Church Tradition, organized under Congregational Polity. This means that our church governs itself, orders its own affairs, funds its own work, and elects its own leadership. While we relate to and affiliate with the United Church of Christ, that relationship is covenantal rather than heirarchical---we cooperate with, but are NOT controlled by the UCC.

Our principal governance document which describes who we are and how we work is our By-Laws. To read the present By-Laws, CLICK HERE.

To read the By-Laws file, you'll need the FREE Adobe Reader Software. CLICK HERE to go to the Adobe web site, then click on "Get Adobe Reader."

Charter Members

Luke & Muriel Lobdell
Roy Adams
Lillian Northrop
Jane Bradley
Roger & Bonnie Olds
Mary Bowen
Virginia Soames
Ingrid Cox
Benjamin Cox IV
Russ & Mary Mowry
Jack & Trish Gardner
Carol Mellor (Little)
Robert & Jan Ferree
Dan Sibley
Robert Menard
Craig Millet
David Yohn

Pilgrims' members are very aware of the necessity for ensuring that our building and grounds---and our fellowship itself---are safe for all persons. It is our intent that every person may come and participate in the life and work of our congregation without fear of discrimination, intimidation, harrassment, assault, and even gossip. We don't do it to others and will not allow it to be done to us. To read the full text of our Safe Church Policy and download copies of required forms, CLICK HERE.

To read the Safe Church Policy File, you'll need the FREE Adobe Reader Software. CLICK HERE to go to the Adobe web site, then click on "Get Adobe Reader."

Pastors

Rev. Dr. Craig Millet and Rev. Dr. David Yohn, 1990-1998

Rev. Robert Van Valkenburg, Pastoral Associate 1996-
Interim Pastor, 1998-1999, 2003-2004

Rev. Dr. Henry Ackermann, 1999-2003

Rev. Betsy P. Skinner, 2004-2006

Rev. Ronal K. Freyer-Nicholas, OSL, 2008-
Supply Pastor, 2006-2008

Moderators

Roger Olds, 1990-1993
Richard Lichtenberger, 1993-1995
Bethany Lange, 1995-1997
Kenneth Owens, 1997-2000
Mary Starkweather, 2000-2002
Harry Harrison, 2002-2004
Dan Welburn, 2004-2006
William Armstrong, Jr., 2006-2008
Bethany Lange, 2008-