Welcome

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome here.

+ A Brief History

congregational church of whitehall b&w altar and organ

Organized as the First Congregational Church of Whitehall in 1867, the mission and ministry of our church now spans one and one-half centuries. Our current, fully-accessible building replaced the original structure in 1965. To better reflect the breadth of our outreach, we became White Lake Congregational United Church of Christ, our new identity also marking our affiliation with the United Church of Christ.

+ White Lake Congregational Today

collage of white lake congregational united church of christ members and events

Our faith may be 2,000 years old, but our thinking isn’t.

Our outreach ministry includes sponsorships of Feeding America food pantry visits, Red Cross blood drives, Bible study, Sunday School programs, a pre-school program, Great Start Readiness program as well as community events. In 2022, the congregation adopted the UCC “Open and Affirming” covenant, formally acknowledging the belief that all persons are loved, valued and blessed equally by God and are welcomed unconditionally into our fellowship.

There is a place for you at WLCUCC.

+ The United Church of Christ

united church of christ logo on green background horizontal

The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination that came about in 1957. Our beliefs recognize Christ as the sole head of the church, therefore our church has no hierarchy from afar; we own our buildings and govern ourselves. More information about UCC can be found at UCC.org and michucc.org.

+ The Board of Stewards

In the Congregationalist tradition, our church is independent and autonomous. Our governing body is known as the Board of Stewards; officers and department heads are elected by the congregation at the annual meeting, held in January.

+ Church Staff and Contact Information

whitelake congregational united church of christ pastor donna morton

Reverend
Donna Morton

Rev. Donna Morton was called to become our pastor in 2018. Pastor Donna, as she prefers to be called, is a native of St. Claire Shores. She received her bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and master’s degree from Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. She was ordained in the Christian ministry in 2014. Pastor Donna has two adult children and two grandbabies.

Pastor’s Office Hours: Monday-Thursday (231) 893-3265
Pastoral Emergencies: (231) 283-0999
Email: [email protected]

Church Secretary: Judy Kline
Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 7-11 AM
(231) 893-3265
Email: [email protected]

+ Weddings and Funerals

WEDDINGS — Our unique mid-century architecture and sanctuary bathed in amber light from large windows combine to make a lovely setting for a wedding. Typically, weddings are planned well in advance and begin with a meeting with the pastor. All are welcome. Contact the church office to arrange a meeting.

FUNERALS — As Christians, we have assurance that we are not alone in our time of grief. It will be our privilege to be available for a funeral/memorial for a loved one. This ministry is available to members and friends of the church, as well as families without an affiliation. Contact the pastor at the emergency telephone number to arrange a meeting.

+ Buttons and Bows PreSchool

Buttons & Bows Preschool is a community outreach of White Lake Congregational UCC. The private preschool serving 3- and 4-year-olds began in the early 1960s for the children of church families. Buttons and Bows now serves children from all over the White Lake area, and is run by an independent Board of Directors. WLCUCC now also houses a state funded “Great Start Readiness Program.” Both programs prepare children to enter the local K-12 school systems.