About Us
God loves you just how you are, and there is nothing you can do about it!
WHO ARE WE?
WE ARE YOU!
Cresskill Congregational Church, UCC is an Open and Affirming, and
a Just Peace church of the United Church of Christ.
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The Members of the Cresskill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Cresskill, New Jersey, will provide and maintain a church for the worship of God and for Christian Education. We follow the traditions of the faith and practice of the United Church of Christ.
We will aid in any endeavor that will promote a higher
spiritual and moral life in the community.
We are composed of members from all over the Northern New Jersey and Lower Hudson Valley New York region: Bergen County, Rockland County, Passaic County and Morris County. Many members stay connected from their new homes in Ohio, Colorado, Connecticut and other states.
Young, old, black, white, gay, straight, citizen, undocumented, differently abled or traditionally abled. What is so different is what makes us so special.
We are judgement-free and we say
God Loves You Just How You Are, and
There Is Nothing You Can Do About It!
Our MIssion
Jesus tells us to love God with all our heart and soul and mind, and our neighbor as
ourselves.
Inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus, we gather as a community where questioning, listening, and learning leads us toward faith and understanding.
We promise to support each other's relationship with God and encourage each
individual's calling.
We strive to be compassionate and to minister to those in need. We work to right injustice and advance peace.
We seek to be good stewards of God's creation.
We endeavor to live our faith both inside and outside our doors.
All are invited to participate in the life of our Church. We are a loving, open-minded,
caring, dedicated Church on a journey to learn, laugh, discover, grow, and worship God
together. We invite you to experience our genuine, friendly, and fun hospitality.
We are a Just Peace Church
A Just Peace church is a community committed to following Jesus’ call to be peacemakers by addressing the root causes of violence, injustice, and inequality. It promotes reconciliation, nonviolence, and systemic change, working toward a world where all people can live with dignity, safety, and wholeness.
We are Open and Affirming
It means we fully include, celebrate, and support LGBTQ+ people in the life of the church. It affirms that all people—regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression—are beloved by God and welcomed without exception into worship, leadership, membership, and ministry.
Meet The Team
Pastor
Eileen Andriano
Cheryl Woertz
Julie Schmidt
Our Governance Structure
Officers, Boards & Committees, and Church Council
OFFICERS
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Co-Moderators Christine Cook, Carole Lotito, Class of 2028
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Treasurer Robert D. Hargrove, Sr. , Class of 2028
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Financial Secretary Dr. Jack Rickly, Class of 2028
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Church Clerk Cindy Micucci , Class of 2028
BOARDS & COMMITTEES​​
Board of Trustees
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Mike Depalo, Co-Chair, Class of 2028
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Bob Hargrove Jr., Co-Chair, Class of 2027
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Elaine Hargrove, Class of 2028
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Rob Michelson, Class of 2028
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Karen Minkler, Class of 2028
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Dondy Marie Moreland-Coleman, Class of 2028
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Jack Rickly, Class of 2028
Committees of the Board of Trustees
Subcommittee
WHITE ELEPHANT
Karen Minkler
​BOARD OF DEACONS
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Glenn Woertz, Chair, Class of 2027
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Jack Flynn, Class of 2028
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Richard Foster, Class of 2028
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Bob Hargrove, Jr. Class of 2027
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Bob Hargrove, Sr., Class of 2028
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Opal Horvat, Class of 2028
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Jack Rickly, Class of 2028
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Howard Vigusin, Class of 2027
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Charlie Waage, Class of 2028
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Jane Zimmerman, Class of 2028
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BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
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Christine DePalo, Co-Chair, Class of 2028
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Mary Foster, Co-Chair, Class of 2028
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Keli Alvarez, Class of 2028
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Navid Bozorgirad, Class of 2028
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Patricia Flynn, Class of 2028
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Scott Foster, Class of 2028
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Ashleigh Horan, Class of 2027
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Cindy Micucci, Class of 2027
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Bonnie Slockett, Class of 2028
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​PROPERTY AND GROUNDS COMMMITTEE
Consisting of one Trustee + other Volunteers
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Mike Depalo
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Bob Hargrove, Jr.​
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Consisting of 3 members of Board of Trustees
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Bob Hargrove, Jr.
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Bob Hargrove, Sr.
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Jack Rickly
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Rob Michelson
NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION DELEGATE
RAINBOW CAFE NNJ COMMITTEE
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Ashleigh Horan
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Jess Horan
SUNSHINE COMMMITTEE
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Howard Vigusin
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PASTORAL SUPPORT
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Jack Flynn
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Ashleigh Horan
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Marcia Ross-Hartkopp
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​​​​​​STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
Consisting of seven (7) or more members from various boards
+ Financial Secretary + Treasurer + Pastor
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Mike Depalo
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Bob Hargrove Sr.
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Jack Rickly
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BOARD OF OUTREACH
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Bonnie Slockett, Chair, Class of 2028
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Pat Flynn, Class of 2028
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Christine Cook, Class of 2028
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Mary Foster, Class of 2028
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Jess Horan, Class of 2028
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Carole Lotito, Class of 2028
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Brittany Moreland-Coleman, Class of 2028
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Dondy Marie Moreland-Coleman, Class of 2028
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Jeanine Pedoto, Class of 2028
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Howard Vigusin, Class of 2028
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Consisting of the Chairs of the various boards + the
Moderator and Pastor
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Consisting of Chair of Trustees + 2 other members of any board
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Mike Depalo
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Rob Michelson
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BUDGET COMMITTEE
Consisting of Chair of Trustees + 4 other Trustees + Treasurer + Pastor
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Bob Hargrove Jr.
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Bob Hargrove Sr.
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Jack Rickly
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CENTRAL ATLANTIC CONFERENCE NJ ASSOCIATION DELEGATE
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MUSIC COMMITTEE
Consisting of at least three members
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Lindy Clarke
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Julie Schmidt
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Cheryl Woertz, Ex-Officio
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​JUST PEACE
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Mary Mayer
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Lindy Clarke
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Sally Bartlett​
CHURCH COUNCIL
Consisting of the pastor, moderators, clerk, financial secretary, treasurer, and the member representatives of all church boards, committees and church ministries (e.g. White Elephant).
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​Pastor Rev. Dr. Kendall Moore
Moderators Christine Cook and Carole Lotito
Clerk Cindy Micucci
Treasurer Robert D. Hargrove, Sr.
Financial Secretary Dr. Jack Rickly
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Our Story
Our Beginning
Cresskill Congregational Church has its roots in the mid-19th century, kicking off as a small Sunday School gathering led by Alexander McKelvey back in May 1856. They started out meeting in the Coley house on County Road in Tenafly.
Moving to Cresskill
As the years went by, the congregation, mostly made up of residents from Cresskill and nearby areas, decided it was time to establish a formal church right in Cresskill. With Mr. Alfred Sneed, a student from the Missionary Alliance in Nyack, at the helm, the Gospel Church of Cresskill officially launched on March 21, 1907, with 59 founding members. Mr. Alexander Fraser took over from Sneed and led the church through a critical time, deciding to join the Congregational Church on September 10, 1910.
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From the start of the Ladies Aid Society (which was around even before the church was officially organized), to providing support during both World Wars, the church has always aimed to enrich the lives of its community members.
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It's also played a part in building local institutions like the town's Senior Center, which first set up shop in the church's basement. Today, Cresskill Congregational Church is still all about service and community involvement.
Today
From hosting LGBTQ+ youth groups like The Rainbow Cafe and Fitz by Horan, along with housing the Cresskill Cares food pantry, and a home for community 12-step programs, to its robust and welcoming Outreach activities, and caring, spiritual internal groups, the church is rapidly growing, while staying dedicated to creating a more inclusive and caring society.
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Download our Church's Constitution Here: