Who are we? 

The Oxford Congregational Church traces its faith heritage from the Puritan movement of the English Reformation. We believe in one God who created all things, who has redeemed the world from its sins and errors in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and who guides and strengthens us through the Holy Spirit. The church’s covenant reads:

“We covenant one with another to seek and respond to the Word and the Will of God. We resolve to walk together in the ways of the Lord, made known and to be made known to us. We hold it to be the mission of the Church to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world, while worshipping God, and striving for truth, justice and peace. As did those before us, we depend on the Holy Spirit to lead and empower us. We pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God, and we look with faith toward the triumph of righteousness and eternal life.”

Another expression our faith is found in the United Church of Christ Statement of Faith. In the UCC, we say that such statements, along with history creeds and confessions, are not a "tests" of faith, but rather testimonies of faith. This reflects the broad diversity of faith perspectives gathered in our house of worship and within our denomination. The UCC offers several Statements of Faith which are often read at baptisms, confirmation, and when new members join the church. Learn more here.

The church worships in a simple, quiet style, singing hymns by the guidance of an organ and a small but strong choir. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, and Baptisms are celebrated as requested.

Our Long History. 

Congregational churches in Connecticut were established by action of the colonial legislature. Because church attendance was a legal obligation, churches tended to be founded as the edge of European settlement crept up the smaller river valleys from the earlier settlements in Hartford, New Haven, and Saybrook.

Three residents of what was then known as northern Derby petitioned the General Assembly to form the Ecclesiastical Society of Oxford in 1741, and held the first meeting that June.

At this early stage ministers could only be hired for one year. The Society began work on a building, but met in Mr. Sam Twitchell’s house on the Sabbath until the Meeting House was usable in June of 1743. On January 9, 1746, the Society received permission from the General Assembly to “embody a Church Estate and settle a Minister.” The Rev. Jonathan Lyman accepted the call to be the first settled pastor and served from 1746 to 1763.

The church’s work and membership has changed many times in many ways over the 255 intervening years. At some periods it has been served briefly by divinity students, and at others by settled pastors over long terms. It is now reviewing its mission statement and visualizing the possibilities for faith and ministry in the 21st century.

In 1957, the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical Reformed Church merged into the United Church of Christ, thus bringing together these churches into one rich tapestry of history, witness, and faith. 

Our Relationships. 

We are also a full member of the United Church of Christ, and participates in its life, work, and mission. It is a member of the Litchfield South Association of the UCC, in which it shares in the authorization and supervision of ministers, and supports the ministry of each member church. Learn more here.

It is also a member of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ , SNEUCC, which assists local churches in their work and carries on mission work across the state. The church also works with its neighbors through Area Congregations Together (ACT) in Derby, Connecticut, and the Seymour/Oxford Clergy Association. 

Stop On By . . . Our Office Hours. 

Stop on by, but please make an appointment first. Office hours are by appointment only.

Church Staff:

Rev. Karen Jodice first began serving our congregation in short term capacities in 2017 and was called as our part-time pastor in March, 2019.  After graduating from Yale Divinity School in 2004, she was ordained by the United Church of Christ in 2005 and served a church in Hartford. Previously, she graduated from Quinnipiac University with a degree in Physical therapy. She has worked for many years in that field with children with special needs, as a home care PT and in local Skilled Nursing Facilities. She brings to her ministry her love of people in all stages of life and faith.  She finds her two callings complementary since in both vocations her connection with another individual is primary, in one case leading the person toward physical wellness and in the other toward spiritual growth.  

Karen spent her childhood in Lexington, MA with her parents and older brother, David. During those years Grace Chapel in Lexington was her church home providing her with a strong faith foundation.  In her high school years, she had the privilege of participating in two mission trips, one to Bogota, Colombia and the other to Costa Rica.  Both provided her with transformational experiences of other cultures and left her with an awareness of that which binds us as humans surpasses our differences. 

Karen considers it a privilege to serve as pastor of the Oxford United Church of Christ and welcomes your questions, thoughts and conversations.  In her free time, she enjoys walking, reading and petting every dog she meets, especially Beagles! Karen lives in Southbury with her wife, Helen, and they have an adult son, Joshua. 

Phone: 203-376-3467, Email: revkarenpt@att.net

Be Still and Know that I am God…Psalm 46:10 

Felicity Pine (“Lissa”), Administrative Assistant, is grateful to be working for this wonderful church family in her semi-retirement. A graphic designer, writer, and published author (Success in School: The Essential How-To Guide for Students of All Ages), she was employed by the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY, as Creative Director and by Wooster School in Danbury, CT, as Communications and Publications Director. Lissa has a master’s degree in music composition and music theory from the University of CA, beginning her career as a music manager in NYC and then founding an agency that provided advertising for the arts. Once she had children (a son and daughter), Lissa continued her career as a freelance writer and graphic designer. She is an active member of the South Britain Congregational Church where she chairs the PR Committee. She has a husband, Jim; a grandchild, Jamie; and a Border terrier named Lulu.

Phone: 914-263-1943

Organist/Pianist, Jennie Kerney (bio will be available shortly)

Martha Allen Lubowiecki, Choir Director, was born in Buffalo, New York and when she was four her family moved to Stratford, CT. After graduating from Stratford High School, she received her B.A. in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University. She held teaching jobs in Norwood NJ, Old Saybrook CT and Milford CT where she remained for 39 years. While working in Old Saybrook she lived in Trumbull giving her little VW got quite a workout!

While teaching in Milford two wonderful opportunities opened for her. She was asked to be the director of the Oxford UCC Choir which she says has been a true joy! Additionally, she became a member of the Connecticut Choral Society for 18 years. During that time, they traveled to Canada, Eastern Europe and sang at Carnegie Hall where she had a solo with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops.

18 years ago, she earned her second Masters at Central Connecticut State University, her first Masters degree was from the University of Bridgeport. She married her second husband, Eddie, at the same time. Martha has two children and three beautiful grandchildren.

Gallery: