Scott VanAlst's Vicinage Council

The Second Congregational Church of Griswold

129 East Main Street

Jewett City, CT  06351

secondcongregational@yahoo.com

June 11, 2026

Dear NFCCC Churches,

The congregation of The Second Congregational Church of Griswold is pleased to invite NFCCC pastors and church delegates (see the list of invited churches below) to a Vicinage Council to consider the ordination of Scott VanAlst. Scott has served as our pastor for the past seven years and has discerned a call to ordained ministry. He first came to us as pulpit supply, and his connection with the congregation was immediate. Soon after, he accepted a contract and became our pastor. Since then, Scott has been an integral part of our church—attending meetings, providing spiritual guidance, and showing consistent care for our members. He is currently pursuing a certificate through the NACCC Lay Ministry Training Program and expects to complete the program in June.

Day/Time/Place:

August 15, 2026 / 1:00pm ET / @ The Second Congregational Church of Griswold

Each church delegate will have the opportunity to examine Scott through the direction of our Executive Director, Rev. Dan Dzikowicz, who is willing to serve as Permanent Moderator and will facilitate according to the Vicinage Council recommended guidelines of the NACCC (e.g., each attending church will have one official delegate and vote). Quorum will be established at seven (7) churches, unless adjusted by the Presiding Moderator.

Our congregation will be present for the council. Directly after the council has made its recommendation, our members will conduct a special meeting of the congregation to consider the recommendation of the Second Congregational Deaconate and the Vicinage Council, further examine Scott, and to conduct a vote on his ordination.

Kindly,  

LuAnn Saracen

Deacon

Invited NFCCC Churches

CONNECTICUT

Barkhamsted, First Congregational Church of

Colebrook Congregational Church

Easton, The Congregational Church of

Founders Congregational Church

Grace Congregational Church

Greenville Congregational Church

Griswold, Second Congregational Church of

Hadlyme Congregational Church

Hanover Congregational Church

Hartland, Second Congregational Church of

Middletown, Third Congregational Church of

North Branford Congregational Church

Preston City Congregational Church

South Church (Second Church of Christ in Hartford)

Stafford Springs Congregational Church

Stonington, First Congregational Church of (The Road Church)

Stony Creek Congregational Church

Union Congregational Church

Waterbury, First Congregational Church of

Westchester Congregational Church

MASSACHUSETTS

Becket Federated Church

Becket, First Congregational Church of

Florence Congregational Church

New Boston Congregational Church

Oakham Congregational Church

Westfield, First Congregational Church of

Williamsburg, First Congregational Church of

NEW JERSEY

Bound Brook, Congregational Church of

Pilgrim Congregational Church

NEW YORK

Ponckhockie Union (Congregational) Church

Wading River Congregational Church

RHODE ISLAND

Riverpoint Congregational Church