It is a perennial question: ‘What is church?’ We, in the United Church of Christ tend to insist the basic unit of the church is the local church gathering. On the other hand, we also insist all Christians are called to be one in Christ.
Indeed, that is what produced our denomination, this call to be one in Christ. We, in the denomination, are a union of four distinct strands— Evangelical, Reformed, Christian and Congregational.
One of the central beliefs among us is that we are “called to be a united and uniting church.” Indeed, because of these sentiments our denomination, the United Church of Christ is involved in Churches Uniting in Christ, an organization seeking to establish full communion among nine Protestant denominations in America. The denominational motto found emblazoned on the logo of the United Church of Christ “That they all may be one” is taken from John 17:21. If you are unfamiliar with that logo go to the United Church of Christ Wikipedia page and it is on the right side of that page:
Another thing is often said in our denomination: “In essentials— unity, in non-essentials— diversity, in all things— charity.” Again, this presents a willingness to be one.
These United Church of Christ mottos are a part of our core values, a belief that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. These affirm a belief that we are all one in Christ, that at the Communion table we recognize each other’s reality and each other’s humanity. These affirmations recognize that we are willing to listen to the call of God on our lives and the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
It has been said our overarching creed is love. United Church of Christ pastors and teachers are known for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture and advocacy for justice. Even so, love and unity in the midst of our diversity are our greatest assets.
Coming back to the initial question: ‘What is church?’ I recently came across a definition offered by one Rowan Williams, (A.K.A. the Archbishop of Canterbury) which I think is sound. “Church,” says Williams, is “a distinctive social body given coherence by the action of God in Jesus.” I find both the breadth and the precision of this definition appealing. It is broad because it encompasses the local church and the greater church. It is narrow because it recognizes our unity in “the action of God in Jesus.”
All that brings me to what we will be doing with our brothers and sisters in Christ at the Methodist Church on Sunday June the 20th. As a community of faith, we shall join with another community of faith. We will gather at the Broad Street United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the fact that Nancy Jill Hale has been ordained.
The special guests at this service will include a combined choir and handbell choir (with members of both the Broad Street Church the United Church of Christ choir and bell choir) offering some wonderful music. The Rev. Dr. Karen Westerfield Tucker, professor of liturgy at Boston University School of Theology and Nancy’s doctoral advisor, will bring the message. The Rev. Beth Spaulding, one of Nancy’s fellow doctoral students, will share her wonderful vocal gifts. Steph Budwey, another doctoral student at Boston University and an outstanding organist, will play several pieces. Bill Ellis, Nancy’s CART (captioning) reporter, will provide live captions for the service.
Last, at this service, Pastor Nancy will consecrate Holy Communion for the first time as an “Ordained Elder” of the United Methodists. After the service, members of the United Methodist Women will provide refreshments in the fellowship hall. This will be a special and very joyous celebration!
All of which is to say we will join with the Methodists in celebrating these outward signs of our unity in Christ. Joining with them means not just that we do this because it is within our tradition of reaching out. It means celebrating with our brothers and sisters in Christ, celebrating the work of the church as that work is acted out in ordained ministry.
So, as I often say, “see you in church.”
In Faith,
Joe Connolly
P.S. June is filled with special Sunday events. See the schedule on the cover of this newsletter. Also note: we will put out a newsletter toward the end of June with the Summer Schedule.
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