September 27 and 28, 2025 was Candidating Weekend at First Church, when we had the opportunity to meet and greet the candidate chosen by our Search Committee for our new settled Senior Pastor, and then hear him preach and vote at a Special Meeting to approve this choice. We are delighted to announce that Jeff Birch has been called to serve our congregation!
On Saturday afternoon, the congregation was invited to a Meet and Greet in Congregational Hall, where people engaged in conversation with Jeff and his partner Mike. There were many warm smiles and a wide range of interests were discussed, from music to communications and outreach to church history.
Sunday morning worship was a wonderful and blessed occasion. As well as Jeff being introduced to the congregation, it was the morning when our Second and Fifth graders received their Bibles. Pastor Meredith made a special introduction of Jeff to the children.
Jeff preached a sermon calling us to open our hearts out of joy, not obligation, to love radically, welcome extravagantly, share our gifts generously and speak our truth boldly, in order that together we can be the church that endures.
The excitement of the day was enhanced by music which lifted up the themes of renewal, love, grace and community.
Following worship, a Special Church Meeting was held to vote to accept the Search Committee's nomination of Jeff Birch to be our new settled pastor, which was approved overwhelmingly.
Jeff was called back into the sanctuary to joy and applause, and then wove a ribbon into our tapestry, symbolizing his thread in the life of our community.
And then it was time for cake and celebration!
We thank the Search Committee and all of church members and friends who took part in this momentous next step in the life of our church. We look forward to our future with joy and excitement, and pray for God's blessing upon Jeff's ministry and the life of our beloved community.
First Congregational Church of Wallingford
23 South Main Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 265-1691
info@firstchurchwallingford.org
We are a vibrant church that is both steeped in history and on the move. We have been at the corner of Center Street and South Main Street since 1675 and yet, exciting new things are happening here.
