OUR HISTORICAL ROOTS
The United Church of Christ at The Villages (UCCATV) started in 2007 and entered its new building on County Road 101 on August 15, 2010. We are a congregation in covenant with the United Church of Christ (UCC).
The UCC, is one of the youngest of the North American denominations, and is rooted in the Reformation -- a protest movement against the abuse of authority by church leaders and the rediscovery of Martin Luther and John Calvin of the Bible's teaching that salvation is not earned, but is a gift.
Our history traces its epic journey to the Pilgrims from England to the shores of North America, the waves of emigration by German and Hungarian Protestants seeking spiritual and political freedom, and the beginning of the first Christian anti-slavery movement in history.
During the 20th century, a movement reunited the divided branches of Christ's church, and, as a result of that movement, the union of four traditions of Protestant Christianity combined into the United Church of Christ in 1957.
OUR THEOLOGICAL ROOTS
We believe faith requires tenderness and courage, a big kind of love that is committed to changing people's lives in our churches but also in the world around us. We call it religion with relevance and encapsulated in the phrase: "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey....YOU ARE WELCOME HERE! It is an "extravagant welcome" and hospitality central to Jesus' ministry and teaching. Indeed, Jesus welcomed and was welcomed by many who were not welcomed by others or the religious community."
God's communion table is open, not closed, and God's gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregations extend hospitality as a sign of God's inclusive love. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with - not against - people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking. We believe in God's continuing testament.
THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATEMENT OF FAITH
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.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO
1) Hearing God's story anew in our lives and the world today.
2) To working for justice.
3) Believing that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships.
4) Being attentive to God's creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive...your head and your heart are both welcome.
5) Embracing all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking.
WHAT CHARACTERIZES THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST?
The characteristics of the UCC can be summarized in part by the key words in the names of the four denominations that formed our union: Christian, Reformed, Congregational, and Evangelical. Therefore, we are...
1) Christian: We declare ourselves to be part of the body of Christ -- the universal Christian church.
2) Reformed: Since all four denominations arose from the tradition of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformers. We confess the authority of one triune God. We affirm the primacy of the Scriptures, the doctrine of justification of our faith, the priesthood of all believers, and the principle of Christian freedom. We celebrate baptism and the Lord's Supper.
3) Congregational: The basic unit of the UCC is the local church. Members of each congregation covenant with one another and with God as revealed in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
4) Evangelical: The primary task of the church is the proclamation of the gospel, or evangel - the good news of God's love revealed with power in Jesus Christ. We proclaim this gospel by word and deed to individual persons and to society. We gather each Sunday for the worship of God, and through each week, we engage in the service of humankind.
WE BELIEVE IN SIX SIMPLE AND CENTRAL THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES
1) That they all may be one. This reflects the spirit of unity on which the church is based.
2) In essentials unity, in nonessentials diversity, in all things charity. The unity of the church is not of its own making. It is a gift of God. But expressions of that unity are as diverse as there are individuals. The common thread that runs through all is love.
3) Testimonies of faith rather than tests of faith because faith can be expressed in many different ways. The UCC has no formula that is a test of faith.
4) There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God's Holy Word. We recognize that the Bible, though written in specific historical times and places, still speaks to us in our present condition because God is a still speaking God. It declares that the study of Scripture is not limited by past interpretations but is to be pursued with expectancy for new insights and help for living today.
5) The priesthood of all believers. That is, that all members of the UCC are called to minister to others and to participate as equals in the common worship of God, each with direct access to the mercies of God through personal prayer and devotion. Recognition is given to those among us who have received special training in pastoral, priestly, educational, and administrative functions, but these persons are regarded as ministers and servant leaders.
6) Responsible freedom. As individual members, we are free to believe and act in accordance with our perception of God's will in our lives. But we are called to live in a loving covenantal relationship with one another and gather in communities of faith, congregations of believers, and local churches for common mission and ministry.
The United Church of Christ at The Villages (UCCATV) started in 2007 and entered its new building on County Road 101 on August 15, 2010. We are a congregation in covenant with the United Church of Christ (UCC).
The UCC, is one of the youngest of the North American denominations, and is rooted in the Reformation -- a protest movement against the abuse of authority by church leaders and the rediscovery of Martin Luther and John Calvin of the Bible's teaching that salvation is not earned, but is a gift.
Our history traces its epic journey to the Pilgrims from England to the shores of North America, the waves of emigration by German and Hungarian Protestants seeking spiritual and political freedom, and the beginning of the first Christian anti-slavery movement in history.
During the 20th century, a movement reunited the divided branches of Christ's church, and, as a result of that movement, the union of four traditions of Protestant Christianity combined into the United Church of Christ in 1957.
OUR THEOLOGICAL ROOTS
We believe faith requires tenderness and courage, a big kind of love that is committed to changing people's lives in our churches but also in the world around us. We call it religion with relevance and encapsulated in the phrase: "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey....YOU ARE WELCOME HERE! It is an "extravagant welcome" and hospitality central to Jesus' ministry and teaching. Indeed, Jesus welcomed and was welcomed by many who were not welcomed by others or the religious community."
God's communion table is open, not closed, and God's gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregations extend hospitality as a sign of God's inclusive love. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with - not against - people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking. We believe in God's continuing testament.
THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATEMENT OF FAITH
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.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO
1) Hearing God's story anew in our lives and the world today.
2) To working for justice.
3) Believing that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships.
4) Being attentive to God's creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive...your head and your heart are both welcome.
5) Embracing all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking.
WHAT CHARACTERIZES THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST?
The characteristics of the UCC can be summarized in part by the key words in the names of the four denominations that formed our union: Christian, Reformed, Congregational, and Evangelical. Therefore, we are...
1) Christian: We declare ourselves to be part of the body of Christ -- the universal Christian church.
2) Reformed: Since all four denominations arose from the tradition of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformers. We confess the authority of one triune God. We affirm the primacy of the Scriptures, the doctrine of justification of our faith, the priesthood of all believers, and the principle of Christian freedom. We celebrate baptism and the Lord's Supper.
3) Congregational: The basic unit of the UCC is the local church. Members of each congregation covenant with one another and with God as revealed in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
4) Evangelical: The primary task of the church is the proclamation of the gospel, or evangel - the good news of God's love revealed with power in Jesus Christ. We proclaim this gospel by word and deed to individual persons and to society. We gather each Sunday for the worship of God, and through each week, we engage in the service of humankind.
WE BELIEVE IN SIX SIMPLE AND CENTRAL THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES
1) That they all may be one. This reflects the spirit of unity on which the church is based.
2) In essentials unity, in nonessentials diversity, in all things charity. The unity of the church is not of its own making. It is a gift of God. But expressions of that unity are as diverse as there are individuals. The common thread that runs through all is love.
3) Testimonies of faith rather than tests of faith because faith can be expressed in many different ways. The UCC has no formula that is a test of faith.
4) There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God's Holy Word. We recognize that the Bible, though written in specific historical times and places, still speaks to us in our present condition because God is a still speaking God. It declares that the study of Scripture is not limited by past interpretations but is to be pursued with expectancy for new insights and help for living today.
5) The priesthood of all believers. That is, that all members of the UCC are called to minister to others and to participate as equals in the common worship of God, each with direct access to the mercies of God through personal prayer and devotion. Recognition is given to those among us who have received special training in pastoral, priestly, educational, and administrative functions, but these persons are regarded as ministers and servant leaders.
6) Responsible freedom. As individual members, we are free to believe and act in accordance with our perception of God's will in our lives. But we are called to live in a loving covenantal relationship with one another and gather in communities of faith, congregations of believers, and local churches for common mission and ministry.