St. Luke's is a member of the United Church of Christ, a denomination formed in 1957 with the merger of four historic traditions--the Evangelical and Reformed churches of German immigrants (from which St. Luke's is descended), and the Congregational Christian churches of New England. 

 

The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church to join faith and action.  With more than 5,100 churches and 1.1 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)

 

Our faith is 2,000 years old. Our thinking is not.
We believe in God's continuing testament.  This is why we are committed to hearing God's ancient story anew and afresh in our lives and in the world today.  We try to remain attentive to God's creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and your head and heart are both welcomed into our places of worship.  We prepare our members and leaders to be engaged in ministry in the present and future church, and we embrace all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking.  Why? Because God is still speaking,

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.
We believe in extravagant welcome.  This is why we insist that 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.  We teach that evangelism — offering bread to those in search of it — is God's mission.  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 believe the church's mission is to change lives — individually, systemically and globally.  We work to make transformation possible, but trust in God's grace.  This is why we insist that churches must be places of vitality in worship, learning and advocacy. We are committed to working for justice, and we believe that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships.  Why? Because God is still speaking,

 

--Excerpted from www.ucc.org

 

The UCC has a long history of being "first" -- first acts of civil disobedience, first to ordain an African American man and a woman, first to organize a foreign missionary society. Check out the complete list of UCC Firsts.