WHO WE ARE
The characteristics of the UCC (United Church of Christ) can be summarized in part by the keywords in the names of the four denominations that formed our union: Christian, Reformed, Congregational, Evangelical.
Christian: We declare our self to be part of the body of Christ-the universal Christian church.
Reformed: 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.
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.
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.
Christian: We declare our self to be part of the body of Christ-the universal Christian church.
Reformed: 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.
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.
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.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
- That we may be one - reflects the spirit of unity on which the church is based.
- In essentials unity, in non-essentials 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
- Testimonies of faith rather that tests of faith - Because faith can be expressed in many different ways, the UCC has no formula that is a test of faith.
- There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God's Holy Word - recognizes 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.
- The priesthood of all believers - 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 leaders - ministers and servants - rather than as persons with absolute authority.
- 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 communities.
OUR COVENANT
As a member of the United Church of Christ at The Villages, I will:
We believe God is still speaking and calls us to:
- Protect the unity of our church
- Act in love toward other members
- Support the leaders of the church
- Accept and embrace diversity
- Participate each week in worship, study and prayer
- Perform acts of caring and kindness to others
- Refuse to gossip about the affairs of other members or church leaders
- Contribute time, talent, and financial support as much as possible to the furtherance of the mission of our church
- Invite as many new members into our church as possible
We believe God is still speaking and calls us to:
- Worship as a Christian Community
- Be open and affirming
- Share God's love, wisdom and compassion as revealed in God's Holy Word
- Celebrate the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion
- Provide spiritual education
- Support missions in the community, nation and world