About The UCC

Get to Know

The United Church of Christ

The United Church of Christ (also known as the UCC) is a Christian denomination born out of the merger of four different denominations: The Reformed Church in the United States, the Evangelical Synod of North America, Christian Churches, and Congregationalist Churches. Because of this unique merge of two Reformed denominations with two Free denominations, many members give this explanation of who we are; We are Reformed, Christian, Evangelical, Congregationalist.

Because of our Congregationalist roots, pinning down exactly what we believe is somewhat difficult church-to-church. It is safe to say that our tradition is rooted in Biblical study, the Ancient Ecumenical Creeds, and modern Creeds as deemed appropriate. As a denomination, much of what we believe can be summed up in the UCC Statement of Faith as seen below:

We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:

You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image,and set before each one the ways of life and death.

You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.

You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil,to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.

Amen.

What Do We Believe?

So, What Does All This Mean?

We believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.

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 all of the baptized 'belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' No matter who – no matter what – no matter where we are on life's journey – notwithstanding race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, class or creed – we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized – past, present and future – are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism. 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 join Christ at 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, we, the many people of God, are made one in the body of Christ, the church. The breaking of bread and the pouring of wine reminds us of the costliness 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 along with a 'cloud of witnesses' – our ancestors, family and friends who have gone before us. It is a great mystery; we claim it by faith.

We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church. "That they may all be one." (John 17:21) "In essentials–unity, in nonessentials–diversity, in all things–charity," These UCC mottos survive because they touch core values deep within us. The UCC has no rigid formulation of doctrine or attachment to creeds or structures. Its overarching creed is love. UCC pastors and teachers are known for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture and justice advocacy. Even so, love and unity in the midst of our diversity are our greatest assets.

We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the earth's resources. 'To believe is to care; to care is to do.'

We believe that the UCC is 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 are a people of possibility. In the UCC, members, congregations and structures have the breathing room to explore and to hear ... for after all, God is still speaking, ...

What's up with your logo?

The first symbol (and probably most famous) combines a cross bisecting an orb with a crown over top, all enclosed in a double oval which bears the denominational name and a verse from John 17:21. The John verse happens to be a part of the Great Prayer of Gethsemane in which Jesus prayed for all his followers, "That they might be one". This UCC symbol is based on an ancient Christian symbol called the "Cross of Victory". The crown reminds us of the sovereignty of God in all matters. The cross reminds us of the passion of the suffering Christ on the cross; his hands outstretched to a world which is filled with pain and need. The orb, divided into three, reminds us both of the Holy Triune God and to be, "witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). This verse reflects our constant desire to reunite the church in peace, love, and justice.

If your symbol is the cross of victory, what is the comma's purpose?

In 2004, the UCC undertook a campaign which they called "Stillspeaking". "Stillspeaking" was short for "God is still speaking" which has been used now for over a decade to remind the church that God is still alive, active, and involved with the world today, even if the Cannon of Holy Scripture is closed. Stillspeaking is a reclaiming of the relevance of religion in today's world among a modern generation. This gave rise to a deep self examination as to who and what the church should be in the world this made a collective identity which is seen in our denomination today where:

God is all-loving and inclusive

The Church of Jesus Christ welcomes and accepts everyone just as they are

You mind is nourished as much as the soul

We grow to make the world more just and peace filled

The original Stillspeaking logo is the one in red. In 2017, the General Synod adapted the logo, modifying the comma and colors, to show a shift to a new focus within the Stillspeaking pathos: A Just World for All (as seen with the light and dark blue logo).

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