Pastor's Welcome

Pastor Deborah Welcome to Our Church!

Every Sunday morning we begin our worship service with the words, no matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome in this United Church of Christ, and we mean it!

The members of The North Branford Congregational Church, UCC come from a variety of faith traditions – Congregational, Roman Catholic, Evangelical – and you’ll find that our worship style encompasses all three! We celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month, and every Sunday during Lent. Our Communion Table is open to all who desire to participate.

North Branford Congregational Church, UCC is an active church that offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for opportunities for spiritual growth, deep conversation, fellowship, or fun, you will find it all at our church. Our members love to spend time with each other so whether we’re camping or cooking, we always have a great time. Our only requirement is a healthy appetite!

We love to cook for our friends and neighbors here at NBCC; not surprisingly, our fundraisers, fellowship activities, and mission projects all seem to revolve around feeding others. Members of our church help out at the North Branford Community Food Bank, Branford Community Dining Room, and the Midnight Run on the New Haven Green. Our Missions Board is always exploring new ministries so that we can better serve the needs of our community so please let us know if you have a great idea.

As Pastor, I believe my role is to lead the members of our church towards a closer, more personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Recognizing that people come to faith through different paths, I try to offer a variety of small groups each season – Bible studies, prayer groups, support groups, fellowship groups, book and film discussions – so that we can learn from one another and mutually encourage one another along the way. Our church is a safe place to raise questions and explore answers. In keeping with teachings of the United Church of Christ, we encourage all our members to “make their faith their own”.

We hope that you will come and worship with us sometime soon so that we can meet you…please know that you are welcome to join us anytime!

Pastor Deborah

Rev. Deborah Roy began serving as Pastor of The North Branford Congregational Church, UCC in September 2008. She was born in West Virginia, but spent most of her childhood in New Jersey and California. She graduated from the University of California at Davis with a BA in History, and from the Monterey Institute of International Studies with a MA in International Management. After graduation, she moved to Haiti where she worked for non-profit organizations for thirteen years. In 1998 she moved to Vermont with her son Raphael, a junior at NBHS. She began her theological education in 2001 and received her Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 2006. She was ordained in the United Church of Christ in October 2006 and served as Pastor of the Shoreham Congregational Church, UCC before receiving her call to North Branford, Connecticut.

Rev. Roy is an avid reader and film buff. She has traveled extensively throughout the world with her son who shares her love of all things foreign. When not at the church, you might find her in her studio designing clothes or exercising, taking continuing education courses at Yale Divinity School, or away on retreat at Glastonbury Abbey, a Benedictine Community in Massachusetts.