What UCC Midland Is All About
The United Church of Christ, Midland, Michigan, is a God and Christ-centered community of open-minded individuals who value each other's talents and contributions. The church lives by the active participation of each member.
We are an Open and Affirming church with a strong sense of social justice that drives individuals to ministries of service and commitment to stewardship.
Our worship service expresses our diversity of belief within a traditional framework. We celebrate each other's spiritual journeys. We think, question without fear and acknowledge the roles that doubt and intellectual stimulation play in the development of our faith.
We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is as relevant to today's world as it was 2000 years ago. God is still speaking. Join us and be blessed with the Spirit of God and the fellowship of this church. No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey you're welcome here.
Our church family is open and diverse. We welcome all who are seeking Christ as revealed in the Scriptures. Our members have come from many denominations, seeking to learn the will of God in their lives.
This congregation is part of the wider United Church of Christ: a joining of four historic Reformation denominations, Congregational, Christian, Reformed and Evangelical churches. We also share several ministries with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
We, the people of the Midland United Church of Christ, affirm Jesus' call to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We live together in the presence of God, whose grace moves us to embrace all people with unconditional love, striving to love the world as God loves it.
We joyfully welcome all people who seek to follow Jesus into the membership, leadership, and ministry of the Church, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, ethnic background, difference in ability, economic circumstance, or family configuration.
The United Church of Christ embraces a theological heritage that affirms the Bible as the authoritative witness to the Word of God, the creeds of the ecumenical councils, and the confessions of the Reformation. The UCC has roots in the "covenantal" tradition meaning there is no centralized authority or hierarchy that can impose any doctrine or form of worship on its members.
Christ alone is Head of the church. We seek a balance between freedom of conscience and accountability to the apostolic faith. The UCC therefore receives the historic creeds and confessions of our ancestors as testimonies, but not tests of the faith.
United Church of Christ Midland Open and Affirming Statement
We, the people of the Midland United Church of Christ, affirm Jesus' call to love with all that we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
We live together in the presence of God, whose grace moves us to embrace all people with unconditional love, striving to love the world as God loves it.
We joyfully welcome all people who seek to follow Jesus, into the membership, leadership, and ministry of the Church, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, ethnic background, difference in ability, economic circumstance, or family configuration.
God is Still Speaking,
To date, more than 2,500 churches have chosen to formally participate in the God is still speaking, campaign. As that number continues to grow, the United Church of Christ continues to balance religious tradition with new ideas for religion that is relevant.
The Stillspeaking Ministry continues to provide resources that enable all settings of the church to proclaim the good news of extravagant welcome. Together under one collective identity, we can enthusiastically support and proudly lift up that the UCC is a welcoming, justice-minded Christian community.
One of the defining characteristics of the UCC is that we join in community by testimonials, not tests, of faith. Your beliefs, your understanding of God and Jesus and church are uniquely yours, as you seek and explore alongside others in community. By becoming a Stillspeaking Voice, you can pledge to share your faith journey with others.
At a time when religion is too often portrayed as narrow-minded and exclusive, many are raising their voices for an alternative vision:
Where God is all-loving and inclusive
Where a church welcomes and accepts everyone as they are
Where your mind is nourished as much as your soul
Where Jesus the healer meets Jesus the revolutionary
Where together we grow a just and peaceful world.