The basis of our beliefs is stated in the Preamble to the Constitution of the United Church of Christ denomination:
The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
What does this mean in the life of the church? We are a proclaiming church that celebrates the rich Christian traditions that have given us a living and vital faith in Jesus. We are also a listening church that strives to discover the ways that God is still speaking among us today so that we live out the good news of Jesus Christ faithfully in each new generation.
In our congregation you will find a positive proclamation of
- God’s abundant love for all people,
- God’s amazing grace that redeems and restores us all,
- God’s growing reign that touches lives and transforms nations.
As we come from many faith backgrounds, you will also find a diversity of views and ideas on many areas of faith and the practice of our faith. We encourage dialogue and discussion as we seek the Spirit’s guidance, and are not afraid to talk about difficult questions of belief. We invite each person on their unique journey of faith to discover God’s presence and activity in our world. We seek oneness and unity in Christ, not uniformity of belief.
The United Church of Christ has had a simple slogan, “To believe is to care. To care is to do.” Faith must be visible as we care for one another, our community, our world and all of God’s creation. Faith must make a difference.
