What Matters to Us

“Jesus didn’t turn people away, neither do we.” When you’re gutsy enough to make such a claim, it’s not always easy to make good on it. Following Jesus’ lead, the United Church of Christ strives to keep doors open to all. By God’s grace—in the past and today—we do what needs to be done to be bold people of God’s welcome.

Jesus lived and breathed gracious hospitality. Even though there were powerful people who opposed Jesus’ extravagant welcome, he still embraced those who were often shunned. In the Kin-dom of God that Jesus spoke of, he declared there is room for all—children (Luke 18:15-17) and those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, ill, poor, grieving, persecuted, and in prison (Matthew 25: 31-46 and Luke 6:20-26). Jesus put faith and hospitality together: “Whoever receives one whom I send receives me” and those who received Jesus, embraced God (John 13:20).

This kind of hospitality is characteristic of both God’s faithfulness and, at our best, our faithfulness. God welcomes, and also feeds the hungry, forgives sins, stands with those who are poor and oppressed, comforts the suffering, and becomes home for those who wander. In gratitude, faithful people welcome strangers. In the Bible, the way you welcome a stranger expresses how you embrace the very presence of God (Genesis 18:1-8 and Luke 23:28-35).

The church, since its beginning, continues to “extend hospitality to strangers (Roman 12:13).” The church, after all, is a blessed company of strangers held together by the grace of God.

UCC churches express God’s extravagant welcome in a variety of ways. Our welcome embraces ALL. That is our prayer, our hope.

Who is welcome? Our churches are among those whose doors are open to God’s children of different cultures, races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, abilities, economic situations, and theological traditions. It isn’t always easy to be so open, but we diligently and continually and prayerfully discern how we can continue to make our doors the most open to all in our community. Not only are our doors wide open, but so is our communion table!

Once one enters the door, it’s not a matter of “sit back, be quiet, speak only as we do.” You, your heart’s questions and your gifts, are vital to the congregation. Both we and you grow together in faith and witness. Your distinct story of faith joins with centuries of stories that make up the Church, and specifically the United Church of Christ. In God’s grace, you change, we change. We make a holy difference in each other’s lives, and, together, in the world.

Inspired by God’s gift of hospitality, we work for God’s welcoming world of love and justice.