What We Believe

In the United Church of Christ we don’t force anyone to conform to a particular creed, but we can say this much:

We believe in God: Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. This is the God who has been revealed to us in the life and ministry of Jesus…and is still being revealed to us wherever there is love, compassion, and justice.

We believe that each person is unique and valuable; it is the will of God that every person belong to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved.

We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey and that each of us is at a different stage of that journey.

We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God, engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction.

We believe that no matter who we are or where we are on life’s journey -- no matter what our race, gender, sexual orientation, class or creed -- we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. We baptize during worship when the community is present because baptism includes the community’s promise of ‘love, support, and care’ for the baptized, and we promise that we won’t take it back – no matter where your journey leads you.

We believe that all people of faith are invited to Christ’s table for the sacrament of Communion. Just as many grains of wheat are gathered to make one loaf of bread and many grapes are gathered to make one cup of wine, likewise the many people of God are made one in the body of Christ, the church. The breaking of bread and the pouring of wine remind us of Christ’s sacrifice and the discipleship to which we are all called. In the breaking of bread, we remember and celebrate Christ’s presence among us.

We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.

We believe that we are called to be a prophetic church. As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted.

We believe in the power of peace, and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems.

We believe that God is still speaking, which means our members have the breathing room to explore, question, and hear God’s word afresh.