Getting to Know Us
Our Journey...
This is the most important section on our website! Here you will discover what is at the heart of our church. I'm fairly certain you realize that most all mainline denominations and their churches have experienced a great deal of change over the years. However, our church has remained unchanged in what we believe really matters. This all begins with a continued commitment to the importance of the Bible.
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Since we were founded we have had a cooperative connection in the "free fellowship" of the United Church of Christ. Our congregation is an autonomous church free from any external control. We are "free" and "independent." The first two words in our name speak volumes. We are committed to ministry in our COMMUNITY and we are CONGREGATIONAL in our polity as just noted.
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Our Statement of Faith
This is the original UCC Statement of Faith as found in our founding bylaws.
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We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify:
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God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.
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God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
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God judges all humanity and all nations by the will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.
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In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.
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God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
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God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, 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.
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God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.
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Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen.
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Other Key Points
Here are a few other items that are historically important in the congregational tradition. They are foundational to the welcome we extend to all.
First, we believe in that direct and immediate access to God. Christ is the head of the church and He can speak directly to each Christian without any hierarchies or intermediaries.
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Second, while we make no apology for our beliefs, we value each persons freedom of conscience. We do not demand absolute agreement to any one statement of faith (etc.) Why? For any person to have their own sincere convictions they must have freedom of thought and experience.
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Third, we believe in the "universal" church. All believers are one under God, regardless of their denominational background.
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Our Covenant
When our church formally chartered in 1995 the 60 original members signed an eight point covenant. That document hangs in our sanctuary both as a reminder and as our sacred trust. When someone joins our church we all recommit ourselves to our covenant.
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The promise of this church is: to be a loving, caring and sharing congregation, to seek to fulfill God's purpose in our lives, to proclaim and preach the gospel, to respect each other with love and concern, to minister to all people in need, to promote peace, justice and equality, to encourage spiritual growth in our lives, and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all that we do. To this end, we ask God's blessing and grace.
Membership in our church is open to all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, have been baptized and are willing to be committed to our covenant.
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