FAITH AND VALUES

ABOUT THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
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 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.” Our overarching creed is love.
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 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. After all, God is still speaking...
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.

The United Church of Christ does not have an "official" Statement/Affirmation of Faith.  However, we utilize a variety of statements/affirmations within our worship services.  As a body of believers, we proclaim these statements to express foundational truths of our shared faith. The three statements that follow are examples of the Statements/Affirmations of Faith we recite in worship.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATEMENT OF FAITH
As Adapted By Robert V. Moss
Reprinted from the Book of Worship© 1986 by permission of the United Church of Christ Office of Church Life and Leadership

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify: God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death. God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles. 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. 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. 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. 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. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen.

FROM THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA, 1980
From The New Century Hymnal, copyright 1995 The Pilgrim Press; New Century Hymnal: Copyright © 1995;
The Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, OH 44115

We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in the true Man, Jesus, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by his Spirit. We trust Him. He calls us to be his church: to celebrate his presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

APOSTLES' CREED
Reprinted from the Book of Worship© 1986 by permission of the United Church of Christ Office of Church Life and Leadership

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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