EvUCC is one of more than 6,000 churches in the United Church of Christ (UCC) which has 1.8 million members who come from many different Christian backgrounds. The United Church of Christ has roots in 4 of this country’s oldest denominations, yet the UCC itself is among one of the youngest denominations in the US. Our theological ancestors drew from the rich traditions of the Christian, Congregational, Evangelical, and Reformed Churches. These denominations all have beautifully Christ-centered traditions and in 1957 they merged to become a denomination that would serve the poor and show God’s love to all people of every background. The result was the United Church of Christ.

Theologically, the UCC is open and diverse. We and our denominational ancestors rejoice in having the first ordinations of an African American in 1785, a woman in 1853, and an openly gay pastor in 1972. We have also helped lead the way in the Civil and Disability rights movements. We believe the Bible is the ultimate rule of faith and practice, and we avidly encourage people to use their God-given gifts and minds to show God’s truth and glory to the world through any number of mediums. Historically, the UCC has had a deep concern for social justice, education, and an insistent dedication to serving the needs of the outcasts of the world. We have worked for justice wherever the rights of God’s people have been threatened.

Each congregation is independent and in relationship with a respective Conference and Association through an “autonomous yet covenantal” relationship. This means each church congregation is accountable to an ecclesial hierarchy but can pray on an individual basis if programming or ideology from a national level is appropriate or not, given their community’s needs. This system allows for a checks-and-balance paradigm above the church, yet gives a wonderful freedom and avenue for discernment to individual church families.

The UCC offers:

• Unity: Christians of diverse traditions seeking one church on one earth. All are welcome!
• Action: A heritage of working for Christ’s kingdom and providing justice for the oppressed.
• Freedom: Freedom for congregational and individual decisions under Christ.