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Religion 101: UCC minister tells us about his congregation, by interview and as a report
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To find a United Church of Christ (UCC) congregation, go here.
“The United Church of Christ is a collection of well over 5,000 local congregations across the United States.” So says pastor of the Fremont, California congregation, .jpg)
Niles Congregational Church, The Reverend Jeffrey Spencer. In a series of email conversations Reverend Spencer spoke of his congregation, and of the larger UCC Church.
Niles Congregational Church, The Reverend Jeffrey Spencer. In a series of email conversations Reverend Spencer spoke of his congregation, and of the larger UCC Church.Note the church itself explores as part of its mission in Christ, social reform. It is a church that sings. Reverend Spencer replies:
“The United Church of Christ published a new hymnal in 1996, The New Century Hymnal. The hymns are noted for having inclusive language when talking about people (not using "man" to refer to all people) and expansive language when talking about God (moving beyond the image of "Father" to include many more images). Some hymns were immediate favorites with many people. Brian Wren's "Bring Many Names" is loved for its expansive use of images for God. Julian Rush's "In the Midst of New Dimensions" is a powerful mix of music and lyrics that reminds of us God's love for us and desire to lead us. And Jaroslav Vajada's "God of the Sparrow God of the Whale" is a haunting reminder of the mystery and majesty of God.”
Though this reporter asked for permission to quote from two hymns, in order for the flavor of the hymnals to be offered, permission did not arrive as of posting time.
Through its social ministry, UCC churches seek to praise God, exalt him, and enter into a spirit that is almost a civil form of human concern--the activist warrior.
What is the nature of Niles Congregational Church? In part, like all UCC congregations, it shares in this kind of formulation, per Reverend Spencer:
“Our roots go back to the Pilgrims and the Mayflower and are as recent as new congregations founded by immigrants from Samoa. We are a multiracial, multicultural, united and uniting church that seeks to be accessible to all people. We are an open and affirming church, welcoming all people. And we are a peace with justice church.”
We are a peace with justice church, he declares. So it goes with all the UCC churches. In Marin County, two UCC affiliated churches acted on their concerns by: (1) Creating, financing, and maintaining the comfortable and successful home for retiring seniors, The Redwoods, in Mill Valley. (2) And concerning also a stretch for a sole San Rafael based UCC congregation, they again entered into the larger social contract of local community by putting up the money (their own, of course, with help), building a low-income-community of apartments called Lanham Village.
A non-doctrinal church formed out of the Protestant Reformation, the UCC goes back to the formation of the United States.
In an email response to questions on the larger United States Church, Reverend Spencer answers:
“Trying to describe ourselves, we say things like: we are a people of covenant who belong to Christ; we are a people of extravagant welcome who are made one through baptism and at the table; we thank God by working for a just and loving world; we listen for the Still-speaking God. We are proud of our "first," a long list of where the United Church of Christ and our predecessor bodies were on the leading edge. The first anti-slavery pamphlet printed in America was written by a Congregationalist minister (one of our predecessor denominations). Many Congregationalists were involved in the first act of civil disobedience in America when they participated in the "Boston Tea Party."
As Trinitarians who offer Communion (the wine and bread), noted UCC minister Oliver Powell once said, "It's mind-blowing, trying to think of a simple, sensible way to say what the United Church of Christ is. What a mix! What a beautiful, heady, exasperating, hopeful mix!"
UCC Still listens to God, so they say. In a statement at the internet address this "UCC 101" statement is made:
“Look, listen all around.
God is trying to tell us something.
There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God's Holy Word.”
God is trying to tell us something.
There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God's Holy Word.”
“If you think God's not finished with you yet, guess what? God's not even finished with God yet. God isn't finished with you, or finished with the church or our world, or even letting us know more about God's own compassion, justice, hope, and truth. If you are open, if you listen carefully, you'll discover what God is saying to this generation at this time in history. There's more good news to be heard!”
The almost-rubric for the non-doctrinal church noted above, comes under their heading, Feed Your Spirit. So Niles Congregational Church does.
Asked about the character of his San Francisco Bay Area Fremont located congregation, Reverend Spencer responded in this defining way:“About Niles Congregational Church, United Church of Christ… At Niles Congregational Church, you can be yourself as you grow in Christ and find new ways to live your faith. No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here.
“We are a small church, averaging 80 to 90 people in worship on Sunday mornings at 10:00. We typically celebrate communion (also called Eucharist or the Lord's Supper) on the first Sunday of the month. Childcare is available each Sunday for the youngest children.
“We are proud of being an "open and affirming" church for over 15 years, welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people into the life and leadership of our congregation.
“People often talk about our church as a second family or an extended family. People know each other and care about each other. We are also a church that is involved in various outreach and caring ministries.
“Of particular importance to us is our annual involvement in the ‘Winter Relief’ program when we house for one month up to 10 families who are on the wait-list to get into the local homeless shelter. This is a major commitment that involves almost everyone in our church.”
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Do UCC people have a prayer and worship life?“Our worship services are pretty traditional -- there's a choir during the school year; I preach for about 15-20 minutes (you can check out some of my sermons at the church's website www.nccucc.org). We sing hymns out of a hymnal. But the order of worship is easy to follow in a bulletin/program. My favorite part of the service is when we pray together. People offer up their own prayers and I think it really draws the community together.”
This is how Reverend Spencer signs his email correspondence to this writer: “Hope this helps. Peace, Jeff…”
It is found that the character of the UCC church, formed during Pilgrim times and even before the landing on North America, is a polity of congregationalism. This truly American church who has about 120 members churches in the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ, most in our Bay Area, continues to thrive with an American concern for civil society and democratic values: This writer concludes such of this liberal church’s clear Christian mission.
Niles Congregational Church, does at it sees in its worldview. Reverend Spencer, its Pastor, explains the congregational polity:
“Like in most congregations of the United Church of Christ, one becomes a ‘member’ through a ritual that takes place during one of our worship services. Members are expected to be involved in the ministry and work of the church, supporting it financially and with their time. They also are the decision-makers, setting the church's annual budget, electing officers and committee members, calling and dismissing the pastor, and making any other big decisions that are needed.
This is a way of Christ in congregation for these Baptized Christians, United Church of Christ people. They gather in a similar manner and form, though independent as a church gaining polity and strength by conviction in synod both by district and nationally.
Addendum:
Our Beliefs
FAITH--"The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the 
responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion."--Preamble to the Constitution of the United Church of Christ
responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion."--Preamble to the Constitution of the United Church of ChristIn making this faith its own, the church is guided by the words of John Robinson (minister of the Pilgrims, the original Congregationalists in North America): "God has yet more truth and light to break forth out of his holy word."
FREEDOM-- highly valued in the faith of individual members and the governing of local churches. The United Church of Christ has a congregational form of government. Historically, it has supported causes seeking liberation and enlargement of opportunity for the oppressed.
FRIENDSHIP-- warm, close, open, accepting, affirming relationships make this a very friendly church.
FELLOWSHIP-- lived out through voluntary connections with nearby churches in Associations; regional churches in Conferences; and the national denomination through the General Synod. These relationships enable the autonomous local church to participate in a more effective mission, and bear witness to our responsibility to live in covenant with other Christians.
Where to find a UCC Church: http://www.ncncucc.org/church-directory
Weekly Prayer
Living God, you are the giver of wisdom and true discernment, guiding those who seek after your ways to choose the good. Mercifully grant that your people, feasting on the true bread of heaven, may have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Living God, you are the giver of wisdom and true discernment, guiding those who seek after your ways to choose the good. Mercifully grant that your people, feasting on the true bread of heaven, may have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Images: (1) Altar, Niles Congregational Church. (2) Robert Weir's painting Embarkation of the Pilgrims hangs in the United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. It depicts John Robinson leading the Pilgrims in prayer before sailing to the New World.
One of the often quoted historical snippets in the UCC goes something like this: "there's still more light and truth breaking through." The originator of the phrase was the Reverend John Robinson, pastor to the Pilgrims in Leiden, Holland, in 1620. These familiar words were offered by Robinson to inspire the Pilgrims on the eve of their departure from the familiar to the New World ahead of them. (3) Congregant of a United Church of Christ, from the national church website. (4)Remembrance of Baptism, a child visiting the indoor fountain at the national synod meeting. This is a symbolic act for recalling one's Baptism. Apparently, children do this remembrance, too. Photo from national church website.
YouTube notes: The UCC God is Still Speaking", with faces of people and the music "Here I am Lord in background."
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