The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a distinct and diverse network of Christians coming together as one Church to join faith and action. With over 5,000 congregations and nearly one million members across the U.S., the UCC serves God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world.  The UCC is a church of firsts, a church of extravagant welcome, and a church where “…they may all be one” (John 17:21).

The Church of Firsts

Since its formation in 1957, and continuing the legacy of previous denominations, the United Church of Christ has been “a church of firsts”, weaving God’s message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. Together, we live out our faith in ways that effect change in our communities for God’s realm “on earth as in heaven”, extending a tradition of acting upon the demands of our faith.  We were the first historically White denomination to ordain African Americans, women, and openly gay people, plus the first Christian denomination to affirm the right of same-gender couples to marry. We were in the forefront of the anti-slavery and Civil Rights movements. Our response to the callings of our faith has shaped the history of this country.

A Church of Extravagant Welcome

Today, we continue to change lives throughout the world. We work alongside more than 200 mission partners, laboring to fight injustice in the United States and abroad. We instill our vision into youth and young adults, forging leaders who will imagine new dreams. We sustain and develop church leaders, pastors, and local churches to live their faith in exciting new ways. We believe in a still-speaking God who is all-loving and inclusive, revealing new ways of expanding love and justice throughout the world in Jesus’ name.  We are a church that welcomes and accepts everyone as they are, that nourishes mind and soul together. We are a church where Jesus the healer meets Jesus the revolutionary, and where—together—we grow a more just and peaceful world. Find out more here about the United Church of Christ.