About
Our Minister
Reverend Scott Elliott
The Reverend Scott Elliott is a fifth generation Californian born and raised in San Jose, CA. In 1979 Scott earned a B.A. in Drama at Cal State Stanislaus. In 1987 he earned a Doctorate in Jurisprudence at the University of Oregon. Scott practiced law for sixteen years before heading to Eden Theological Seminary to earn an M. Div. Scott was ordained in 2006 and previously served as a minister in Florida, Ohio and Massachusetts.Known for thoughtful progressive and often fun sermons, Scott challenges the listener to center on Jesus' call to embrace not only a loving God, but all people, especially those others might place on the margins or think of as sinners.
Scott's theology is progressive and Bible-based. He takes very seriously Jesus' supreme commandment, to love God, and to love our neighbors, and Micah 6's claim that what God requires of us is to seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God. In addition to working on worship, Scott works on justice and peace issues, teaches, and provides care and compassion to those in need. He has founded and led clergy support groups and Overcoming Racism classes; worked on LGBTQ+ justice matters and served on nonprofit boards concerning racial matters, homelessness, theatre, hospital care, families, as well as on UCC conferences committees. Scott's work with youth has included successful theatre ministries that connect youth to the community through the performing arts. Scott has been married since 1979 to Nancy and they have four wonderful grown children and a quirky dog named River. They make their home in Stockton where they love to walk, bike ride, take photographs, and putter around the house. And sometimes when no one else is around, Scott plays the didgeridoo. Scott's call at First Congregational Church of Stockton on the First Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2024.
Our Office Manager
Anthony Waltman
My name is Anthony Waltman. However, my friends call me Tony. I have been a member at this church since 2020 something...lol. I came from a Calvary chapel background. However, I was no longer welcome there after coming out as being a gay male. After moving to Stockton to be with my now husband Hector. I had a friend take me to her church in Modesto (College Avenue Congregational Church) it was an open and affirming welcoming congregation. But the drive to Modesto was too far. Then my friend told me there was a Congregational Church in Stockton so my checked it out. At the time I was one of the younger church members there....lol (Time goes by so quickly) everyone at the church is and was so welcoming it was just like going to a family reunion. Over the course of time, I have served in most all the leadership positions at the church. In 2023 our current church administrator had retired. So, I had offered to help out. I really enjoy working at the church it's a nice, pleasant atmosphere.
When im not working at the church I enjoy cycling, Hiking, kyaking, cooking, entertaining and spending time with family & friends.
Our History
Organization
We were formed in 1865 with the purpose of returning to those "first principles, both in Faith and Ardor, which were give by Christ and his Apostles." Those principles have guided this faith community for 160 years and guide us now. We understand them to require us to above all else to love God and to love our neighbors. That teaching by Jesus and the Apostles has led this church to be at the forefront of justice issues for over a century and a half."
Working Together
In 1880 when Chinese Americans were being very unjustly treated, we worked with them as equals and welcomed them fully as members.
Progress
In the 1940s we not only openly opposed the unjust internment of Japanese Americans we stored in our basement the belongings of our neighbors who were taken away to camps. In 1940s we led the way in forming the city's first ever Inter-racial Council and actively participated in the civil rights movement throughout the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
Justice Work
In the 1970s we also were involved in justice for women and housed and supported the Stockton Women's Center. And like many churches we have been involved with helping those in need since we started. Today our justice work continues as advocates and allies for LGBTQ+, Women, African Americans, People of Color and those experiencing housing and food insecurity.
Opportunities for Justice Work Today Include:
Housing and Food Insecurity Justice. We sponsor and participate in Family Promise an organization of faith communities that help feed and house families housing and food insecurity. Every other week we make sandwiches for distribution to those in need. We sponsor, support and volunteer at St. Mary's Community Services. We adopt families at Christmas to provide gifts. We support Second Harvest, a local entity that fights hunger. Our minister preaches, teaches and works on housing and food insecurity issues.
LGBTQ+ Justice. We are an Open and Affirming Church which means we welcome and respect all people and consider LGBTQ+ as goodly and Godly made. We support and work with Stockton Pride Center. We march in Pride parades. We take stands on LGBTQ+ issues. Our minister often preaches, teaches and otherwise provides Spiritual care to LGBTQ+ and their families and allies.
Racial Justice . We are an Open and Affirming Church which means we welcome and respect and consider ALL people goodly and Godly made. We support and participate in marches for racial justice. In January we honor the work and words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In February we honor Black History Month. In June we honor Juneteenth. In the summer we plan and lead Overcoming Racism classes. Our minister has been a civil rights lawyer and a recognized speaker and facilitator of civil rights efforts in communities he has served; and he often preaches, teaches and otherwise provides leadership in anti-racism efforts.
Environmental Justice. We make efforts to be a green church. We celebrate Earth Day. Our minister preaches, teaches and otherwise provided leadership on Environmental justice issues.
“We have also long been involved in inter-faith and ecumenical work. By the 1880s we were respectfully working and worshiping with the local synagogue, now called Temple Israel. Our ecumenical efforts has also spanned the decades as we have worked with and shared pulpits with many other Christian denominations for the betterment of the whole community.”