Our Mission & Vision
Our History
Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church became Peace United Church of Christ in 1959, following the merger of several denominations that became The United Church of Christ.
“That they may all be one.” This motto of the United Church of Christ – which can be found in John 17:21 – reflects the spirit of unity on which our church is based and points toward future efforts to heal the divisions in the body of Christ. We are a uniting church as well as a united church. This motto also affirms our history as a church home for all people seeking a connection to a faithful Christian community.
Today, Peace United Church of Christ continues to live out that vision as members dare to dream and then work faithfully to make those dreams a reality. Our proud heritage of faithful worship, Christian Education, local and global outreach, fellowship, and vital youth ministry, continue to embrace the vision of our members to live out their faith in community with others.
What We believe
That they may all be one. This motto of the United Church of Christ – which can be found in John 17:21 – reflects the spirit of unity on which our church is based and points toward future efforts to heal the divisions in the body of Christ. We are a uniting church as well as a united church. This motto also affirms our history as a church home for all people seeking a connection to a faithful Christian community. In essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity, in all things charity. The unity that we seek requires neither an uncritical acceptance of any point of view, nor rigid formulation of doctrine. It does require mutual understanding and agreement as to which aspects of the Christian faith and life are essential. The unity of the church is not of its own making. It is a gift of God. But expressions of that unity are as diverse as the individuals who make those expressions. The common thread that runs through all is love. Testimonies of faith rather than tests of faith. Because faith can be expressed in many different ways, Peace United Church of Christ and the United Church of Christ have no formula that is a test of faith. Down through the centuries, however, Christians have shared their faith with one another through creeds, confessions, catechisms and other statements of faith. Historic statements such as the Apostles’ Creed are valued in our church as authentic testimonies of faith. There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God’s holy word. This affirmation by one of the founders of the Congregational tradition assumes the primacy of the Bible as a source for understanding the Good News and as a foundation for all statements of faith. It recognizes that the Bible, though written in specific historical times and places, still speaks to us in our present condition. It declares that the study of the scriptures is not limited by past interpretations, but it is pursued with the expectation of new insights and God’s help for living today. The priesthood of all believers. All members of Peace United Church of Christ are called to active ministry for and with others and to participate as equals in the common worship of God, each with direct access to the mercies of God through personal prayer and devotion. Recognition is given to those among us who have received special training in pastoral, priestly, educational and administrative functions, but these persons are regarded as servants rather than as persons in authority. Their task is to guide, to instruct, to enable the ministry of all Christians rather than to do the work of ministry for us. Responsible freedom. As individual members of the Body of Christ, we are free to believe and act in accordance with our perception of God’s will for our lives. But we are called to live in a loving, covenantal relationship with one another, gathering in communities of faith, congregations of believers and local churches. In the United Church of Christ, each congregation or local church is free to act in accordance with the collective decision of its members, guided by the working of the Spirit in the light of the scriptures. But it also is called to live in a covenantal relationship with other congregations for the sharing of insights and for cooperative action under the authority of Christ.