You and Your Congregation

1. How often do you go to worship services at this congregation?
0% This is my first time
4% Hardly ever or special occasions only
6% Less than once a month
7% Once a month
30% Two or three times a month
52% Usually every week
1% More than once a week

2. How long have you been going to worship services or activities at this congregation?
7% Less than 1 year
18% 1-2 years
21% 3-5 years
29% 6-10 years
7% 11-20 years
16% More than 20 years
1% I am visiting from another congregation
1% I am visiting and do not regularly go anywhere else

3. Are you regularly involved in any group activities here? (Mark all that apply.)
22% Yes, in Sunday school, church school, or Sabbath school
17% Yes, in prayer, discussion, or Bible study groups
47% Yes, in fellowships, clubs, or other social groups
5% No, we have no group activities
36% No, I am not regularly involved in group activities

4. Do you regularly take part in any activities of this congregation that reach out to the wider community (e.g., visitation, evangelism, outreach, community service, social justice)? (Mark all that apply.)
18% Yes, in evangelism or outreach activities
40% Yes, in community service, social justice, or advocacy activities of this congregation
4% No, we don't have such activities
52% No, I am not regularly involved
5. Do you currrently have any of the following roles here? (Mark all that apply.)
17% Member of the governing board
35% Member of a congregational committee or task force
7% Leading or assisting in worship
6% Officer or leader of men's, women's, youth, or other group
11% Choir member, musician, or choir director
15% Sunday school, church school, or Sabbath school teacher
15% Other role not listed here
34% None

About Your Faith

6. Over the last year, how much have you grown in your faith?
4% No real growth
48% Some growth
34% Much growth, mainly through this congregation
2% Much growth, mainly through other groups or congregations
12% Much growth, mainly through my own private activities

7. How often do you spend time in private devotional activities (such as prayer, meditation, reading the Bible alone)?
29% Every day or most days
21% A few times a week
2% Once a week
21% Occasionally
24% Hardly ever
2% Never

Page 1 of 7
For questions with multiple responses possible, percentages usually total well over 100. On other questions, totals may not equal 100 due to rounding.
US Congregational Life Survey
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WOODBURY
WOODBURY, CONNECTICUT 84 total responses.
ID Number: V270
8. Which statement comes closest to your view of the Bible? (Mark one only.)
6% The Bible is the word of God, to be taken literally word for word
29% The Bible is the word of God, to be interpreted in the light of its historical and cultural context
42% The Bible is the word of God, to be interpreted in the light of its historical context and the Church's teachings
11% The Bible is not the word of God, but contains God's word to us
8% The Bible is not the word of God, but is a valuable book
0% The Bible is an ancient book with little value today
4% Don't know

9. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: "All the different religions are equally good ways of helping a person find ultimate truth"?
32% Strongly agree
37% Agree
19% Neutral or unsure
10% Disagree
2% Strongly disagree

10. Do you agree or disagree: "My spiritual needs are being met in this congregation or parish"?
20% Strongly agree
61% Agree
16% Neutral or unsure
4% Disagree
0% Strongly disagree

11. Some people feel they came to faith gradually. For others, it began at a definite moment of commitment. Have you ever experienced such a moment of decisive faith commitment or conversion?
44% No, I've had faith for as long as I can remember
33% No, I came to faith through a gradual process
4% Yes, at one specific moment in the last 5 years
10% Yes, at one specific moment more than 5 years ago
6% Yes, a number of specific moments of commitment or re-commitment
4% Not sure or not applicable
12. Are you currently a member of this congregation?
89% Yes
4% No, but I'm in the process of becoming a member
4% No, but I regularly participate here
4% No

About Your Involvement

13. Are you involved in any community service, social service, or advocacy groups not connected to this congregation? (Mark all that apply.)
41% Yes, social service or charity groups
5% Yes, advocacy, justice, or lobbying groups
55% No, I'm not involved with such groups

14. Which one of the following best describes your readiness to talk to others about your faith?
0% I do not have faith, so the question is not applicable
18% I do not talk about my faith; my life and actions are sufficient
17% I find it hard to talk about my faith in ordinary language
57% I mostly feel at ease talking about my faith and do so if it comes up
7% I feel at ease talking about my faith and seek opportunities to do so

15. Would you be prepared to invite to a worship service here any of your friends and relatives who do not now attend a congregation?
37% Yes, and I have done so in the past 12 months
39% Yes, but I have not done so in the past 12 months
15% Don't know
8% No, probably not
1% No, definitely not

Page 2 of 7
For questions with multiple responses possible, percentages usually total well over 100. On other questions, totals may not equal 100 due to rounding.
US Congregational Life Survey
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WOODBURY
WOODBURY, CONNECTICUT 84 total responses.
ID Number: V270
16. In the past 12 months, have you done any of the following? (Mark all that apply.)
33% Loaned money to someone outside your family
28% Cared for someone outside your family who was very sick
17% Helped someone outside your family find a job
55% Donated or prepared food for someone outside your family or congregation
76% Voted in the last presidential election
73% Donated money to a charitable organization (other than this congregation)
30% Worked with others to try to solve a community problem
24% Contacted an elected official about a public issue

17. How satisfied are you with what is offered here for children and youth (less than 19 years of age)?
35% Very satisfied
46% Satisfied
5% Mixed feelings
0% Dissatisfied
0% Very dissatisfied
13% Not sure or not applicable

18. Which best describes your involvement in the making of important decisions in this congregation?
25% I have been given the opportunity and often participate in decision-making
29% I have been given the opportunity and occasionally get involved in decision-making
32% I have been given the opportunity but don't usually get involved in decision-making
14% I have not been given an opportunity to be involved and this is fine with me
0% I have not been given an opportunity to be involved and I am not happy about this

19. Do you have a strong sense of belonging to this congregation?
46% Yes, a strong sense of belonging that is growing
20% Yes, a strong sense--about the same as last year
14% Yes, but perhaps not as strong as in the past
11% No, but I am new here
0% No, and I wish I did by now
8% No, but I am happy as I am
1% Don't know or not applicable
20. While you may value many different styles of music, which of the following do you prefer in congregational worship? (Mark up to two options.)
72% Traditional hymns
21% Praise music or choruses
15% Contemporary hymns
18% Other contemporary music or songs (not hymns)
2% Sung responsorial psalms
14% Classical music or chorales
0% Contemplative chants (Taizé, Iona)
20% Music or songs from a variety of cultures
16% African-American gospel music
0% No music or songs
2% Don't know

21. To what extent do the worship services or activities of this congregation help you with everyday living?
29% A great extent
54% Some extent
16% A small extent
1% Not at all

22. Which of the following aspects of this congregation do you personally most value? (Mark up to three options.)
20% Wider community care or social justice emphasis
7% Reaching those who do not attend church
37% Traditional style of worship or music
8% Contemporary style of worship or music
24% Sharing in Holy Communion, Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper
31% Social activities or meeting new people
40% Sermons, preaching, or homilies
6% Bible study or prayer groups, other discussion groups
32% Ministry for children or youth
4% Prayer ministry for one another
20% Practical care for one another in times of need
4% The congregation's school or pre-school
26% Openness to social diversity
1% Adult church-school or Sabbath-school class

Page 3 of 7
For questions with multiple responses possible, percentages usually total well over 100. On other questions, totals may not equal 100 due to rounding.
US Congregational Life Survey
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WOODBURY
WOODBURY, CONNECTICUT 84 total responses.
ID Number: V270
23. Do you have any close friends in this congregation?
11% No, I have little contact with others from this congregation outside of activites here
20% No, I have some friends in this congregation, but my closest friends are not involved here
53% Yes, I have some close friends here as well as other close friends who are not part of this congregation
16% Yes, most of my closest friends are part of this congregation

24. Before you started coming to this congregation, were you participating in another congregation?
11% No, I've come here for most or all of my life
27% No, before coming here I had not been attending any congregation for several years
9% No, before coming here I had never regularly attended
53% Yes, immediately prior to coming here I was participating in another congregation.

25. Before you started coming here, what type of congregation did you attend? (Mark only one.)
0% Assembly of God
4% Baptist
8% Catholic
5% Episcopal
5% Lutheran
6% Methodist
0% Nazarene
3% Non-denominational
1% Pentecostal
10% Presbyterian
0% Seventh-day Adventist
37% United Church of Christ
0% Other
20% I did not attend another congregation before coming here

26. Over the last two years, has there been any conflict in this congregation? (Mark only one.)
15% No conflict that I am aware of
34% Some minor conflict
21% Major conflict
25% Major conflict, with leaders or people leaving
5% Don't know
27. Have this congregation's leaders encouraged you to find and use your gifts and skills here?
31% Yes, to a great extent
36% Yes, to some extent
19% Yes, to a small extent
6% Not at all
8% Don't know

About You

28. Ages of worshipers:
6% 15-24
29% 25-44
42% 45-64
24% 65 and above

29. Gender of worshipers:
61% Female
39% Male

30. What is your employment status? (Mark all that apply.)
61% Employed full time, part time, or self-employed
2% Unemployed
21% Retired
6% Full-time homemaker
13% Student
2% Other

31. What is the highest educational level you have completed? (reported for worshipers age 25 and older)
0% No formal schooling
0% Primary school through 8th grade (K-8)
2% Some high school
17% Completed high school
11% Trade certificate
23% Associate degree
29% Bachelors degree from a university or college
20% Master's, Doctorate, or other graduate degree

Page 4 of 7
For questions with multiple responses possible, percentages usually total well over 100. On other questions, totals may not equal 100 due to rounding.
US Congregational Life Survey
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WOODBURY
WOODBURY, CONNECTICUT 84 total responses.
ID Number: V270
32. What is your present marital status?
14% Never married
51% In first marriage
14% Remarried after divorce
1% Remarried after death of spouse
0% Separated
10% Divorced
10% Widowed
0% Living in a committed relationship

33. Do you have a spouse or partner who is also completing a survey here?
36% Yes
64% No

34. What is your race or origin? (Mark all that apply.)
1% Asian/Pacific Islander
0% Black/African American
0% Hispanic/Latino/Spanish origin
1% Indian (American) or Alaska native
98% White/Caucasian
2% Other

35. Where were you born?
95% In the United States
1% In another English-speaking country
4% In a non-English-speaking country

36. Is English your first language?
98% Yes
2% No

37. Which statement best describes the people who currently live in your household?
12% I live alone
25% A couple without children
10% One adult with child/children
46% Two or more adults with child/children
7% Some adults living in the same household

38. Most often reported ZIP codes of worshipers:
65% 6798 1% 6790
12% 6795 1% 6794
8% 6488 1% 6708
5% 6751 1% 1852
1% 6783 1% 6401

39. About how much do you give financially to this congregation?
4% I give 10% or more of net income regularly
26% I give about 5% to 9% of net income regularly
49% I give less than 5% of net income regularly
11% I give a small amount whenever I am here
11% I do not contribute financially here

40. Which of the following describes your total annual household income before taxes?
6% less than $10,000
12% $10,000 to $24,999
19% $25,000 to $49,999
23% $50,000 to $74,999
20% $75,000 to $99,999
20% $100,000 or more

41. How many children of any age do you have, whether they live at home or elsewhere? (adjusted for multiple responses per household)
18% None
13% One
35% Two
34% Three or more

42. Ages of children living at home (adjusted for multiple responses per household)
46% Reported none at home
Of those reported, the age breakdowns follow:
4% less than 2
11% 2 to 4
9% 5 to 6
33% 7 to 11
20% 12 to 15
11% 16 to 18
7% 19 to 24
6% 25 or older

43. Of your children who live at home, which ones participate at this or another congregation? (adjusted for multiple responses per household)
82% Participate here
7% Participate elsewhere
10% Do not participate

Page 5 of 7
For questions with multiple responses possible, percentages usually total well over 100. On other questions, totals may not equal 100 due to rounding.
US Congregational Life Survey
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WOODBURY
WOODBURY, CONNECTICUT 84 total responses.
ID Number: V270
Some Final Questions

44. How long does it usually take you to get here?
38% 1-5 minutes
28% 6-10 minutes
24% 11-15 minutes
6% 16-20 minutes
2% 21-30 minutes
1% More than 30 minutes

45. Compared to 2 years ago, do you think you participate in activities of the congregation more, less, or about the same amount as you did then?
43% Participate more
33% About the same participation
16% Participate less
8% Not applicable (been coming less than 2 years)

46. Do you identify with any of the following approaches to faith? (Mark up to two options.)
14% Catholic
6% Evangelical
6% Reformed
0% Charismatic
1% Pentecostal
1% Fundamentalist
11% Traditionalist
16% Moderate
17% Liberal
10% New Age
36% I do not identify with such descriptions

47. Do you agree or disagree: "This congregation is strongly focused on serving the wider community beyond the congregation"?
26% Strongly agree
49% Agree
18% Neutral or unsure
7% Disagree
0% Strongly disagree
48. How often do you experience the following during worship services at this congregation? (Always or Usually)
63% A sense of God's presence
61% Inspiration
8% Boredom
16% Awe or mystery
65% Joy
4% Frustration
24% Spontaneity
54% A sense of fulfilling my obligation

49. Does this congregation have a clear vision, goals, or direction for its ministry and mission?
9% I am not aware of such a vision, goals, or direction
43% There are ideas but no clear vision, goals, or direction
17% Yes, and I am strongly committed to them
27% Yes, and I am partly committed to them
4% Yes, but I am not committed to them

50. Do you agree or disagree: "I have a sense of excitement about our congregation's future"?
10% Strongly agree
51% Agree
35% Neutral or unsure
4% Disagree
0% Strongly disagree

51. Of the following, which one best describes your opinion of the future directions of this congregation?
2% We need to go back to the way we did things in the past
5% We are faithfully maintaining past directions
41% We are currently deciding on new directions
19% We are currently moving in new directions
11% We need to rethink where we are heading
8% Our future is very unclear or doubtful
14% Don't know

52. Do you agree or disagree: "This congregation is always ready to try something new"?
2% Strongly agree
33% Agree
44% Neutral or unsure
15% Disagree
5% Strongly disagree

Page 6 of 7
For questions with multiple responses possible, percentages usually total well over 100. On other questions, totals may not equal 100 due to rounding.
US Congregational Life Survey
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WOODBURY
WOODBURY, CONNECTICUT 84 total responses.
ID Number: V270
53. To what extent does the minister, pastor, or priest here take into account the ideas of those who worship here?
47% A great extent
40% Some extent
5% A small extent
0% Not at all
9% Don't know
0% There is currently no leader here

54. Which of the following is the best description of the style of leadership of your pastor, minister, or priest?
25% Leadership that tends to take charge
56% Leadership that inspires people to take action
9% Leadership that acts on goals that people here have been involved in setting
0% Leadership where the people start most things
0% There is currently no leader here
10% Don't know

55. What do you think are the main roles that your minister, pastor, or priest actually carries out here? (Mark up to three options.)
80% Conducting worship or administering the sacraments
56% Teaching people about the faith
1% Training people for ministry and mission
7% Converting others to the faith
21% Administering the work of the congregation
49% Visiting, counseling and helping people
21% Involvement in wider community groups or social issues
22% Providing a vision and goals for the future
26% Offering prayer or being a spiritual role model
1% Don't know

56. Do you agree or disagree: "In general, there is a good match between our congregation and our minister, pastor, or priest"?
33% Strongly agree
53% Agree
9% Neutral or unsure
5% Disagree
0% Strongly disagree
0% There is currently no leader here


Page 7 of 7
For questions with multiple responses possible, percentages usually total well over 100. On other questions, totals may not equal 100 due to rounding.