What We Believe @ UCCEG
No matter where you are on life's journey, you are WELCOME here - questions and all!
We are Open & Affirming
Led by the Holy Spirit, we pray that we will exemplify Christian faith in our community as we welcome all into the wholeness of God’s love. We are called to live our vision, “living in God’s love together.” Led by the Holy Spirit and the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves to inclusiveness. We extend our welcome to persons of every race; ethnicity; age; gender; sexual orientation - including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons - every physical or mental ability; economic or marital status; and faith background. We affirm our commitment by extending the rights, privileges, sacraments, duties, and obligations of church membership to all.
Our Vision Statement
We, the United Church of Christ East Goshen, believe in a world that nurtures faith and spirituality. We believe in a world that betters the human spirit thus creating joy, happiness and wellness. We yearn to live in a community that embraces interconnectedness and diversity and that fosters safety, security, and trust. We value our youth, social justice, and the sharing of resources. We sustain our natural environment and it sustains us. All people are called to meaningul work that fulfills our being. This is our dream for the world - the world we believe God intends.
Our Mission Statement
We are the people of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to share in love and compassion the gospel message. We choose to reach out to individuals and families in the West Chester area and beyond who are seeking a caring church community. We choose to witness Christ's love through worship, education, fellowship, mission, and community involvement. Together with God's help, we will grow in faith and service.
The Trinity
We believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ, who is 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.
One In the Spirit
We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the earth's resources. "To believe is to care; to care is to do."
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. In the UCC, members, congregations, and structures have the breathing room to explore and to hear ... for after all, God is still speaking.
a''Sacraments''
We offer the gift of baptism to anyone who asks.
We share communion monthly - on the first Sunday - at an open table for seeking believers.
We administer the rites of marriage, confirmation, and Christian burial.
Please contact Pastor Jocelyn to discuss any of the above.
The United Church of Christ
A CHURCH OF FIRSTS!
Since 1957, the United Church of Christ has been the 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. The UCC's many "firsts" mean that we have inherited a tradition of acting upon the demands of our faith. When we read in Galatians: "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus"—a demand is made upon us. And so we were the first predominantly white denomination to ordain an African-American, the first to ordain a woman, the first to ordain an openly gay man, and the first mainline Protestant church to affirm the right of same-gender couples to marry. We were in the forefront of the anti-slavery movement and the Civil Rights movement. Our response to the demands of our faith is woven into the history of our country.
WE BELIEVE IN AN EXTRAVAGANT WELCOME!
This is why we insist that God's communion table is open, inviting those who come not because they must, but because they may.
We advocate justice for all. Our congregation extends 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,
NEVER PLACE A PERIOD WHERE GOD HAS PLACED A COMMA.
We embrace the words of Gracie Allen as a reminder that God is not done with us - as individuals, as a congregation, as a denomination, as Christians - YET.
Why? Because God is still speaking,
