The United Church of Christ is an inclusive and diverse community of Christians connected by faith that calls us to build a just world for all. With about 712,000 members worshipping in 4600 congregations across the United States, the UCC is known for its commitment to inclusivity and progressive values, particularly regarding race, gender, and human rights.
The UCC was formed in 1957 as a union of two denominations: The Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. In turn those denominations had roots in the European Reformation, and the Pilgrims and Puritans here in the U.S. Our governance follows the Congregational model, with each congregation an autonomous entity, making all its own decisions. Congregations are linked in covenant in small regional units (Associations), larger regional units (Conferences, often one or several states), and nationally. Our church is part of the regional Old Colony Association and the larger regional Southern New England Conference.
The modern UCC is firmly in the progressive Protestant tradition. We recognize two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. The only theological belief that the Constitution of the UCC sets out is the belief that Jesus is Lord and Savior. The UCC (and predecessor denominations) has had women clergy for well over a hundred years, was the first mainline denomination to ordain LGBT clergy, and has taken many progressive social justice stands over the years. Because of the autonomous UCC governance, however, individual congregations may or may not support these stands. Through its ecumenical and interfaith efforts, the UCC collaborates with various Christian denominations and other faith traditions to foster unity and address social issues. The national UCC and its conferences provide resources to member churches including training for clergy and lay people, stewardship, and social and racial justice.
Four times a year the UCC conducts special mission offerings in which our church participates:
One Great Hour of Sharing – supports ministries that fund health, education, and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries, and disaster response.
Strengthen the Church – this is a shared commitment of people to build up the UCC. The offering of churches supports leadership development, new churches, youth ministration and so forth.
Neighbors in Need – supports ministries of justice and compassion. In 2025, one-third of the offering was given to the Council for American Indian Ministries and the remaining two-thirds supported UCC justice ministries.
Christmas Fund – provides emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks to our lower-income retirees.
