We believe in the triune God: Creator, Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.
We believe that each person is loved and valued and holds a unique place in the family of God.
We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey and that we are all at different stages of that journey.
We believe that persistent engagement with God produces authentic spirituality, engendering love, strengthening faith, and giving life purpose and direction.
We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church.
"That they may all be one." (John 17:21)
"In essentials - unity, in nonessentials - diversity, in all things - charity. " (Rupertus Meldenius)
These UCC mottos survive because they touch core values deep within us. The UCC has no rigid formulation of doctrine or attachment to creeds or structures. Its overarching creed is love. UCC pastors and teachers are known for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture, and justice advocacy. Love and unity in the midst of our diversity are our greatest assets.
We believe in God’s continuing testament. This is why we are committed to hearing God’s ancient story anew and afresh in our lives and in the world today. We try to remain attentive to God’s creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and your head and heart are both welcomed into our places of worship. We prepare our members and leaders to be engaged in ministry in the present and future church, and we embrace all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking.
We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the earth's resources. “To believe is to care, to care is to do.”
We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church. As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor, and comfort the afflicted. The church’s mission is to change lives — individually, systemically, and globally. We work to make transformation possible, but trust in God’s grace. This is why we insist that churches must be places of vitality in worship, learning and advocacy. We are committed to working for justice, and we believe that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships.
We believe in the power of peace, and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems.
We are a people of possibility. In the UCC, members, congregations and structures have the breathing room to explore and to hear. After all, God is still speaking, …
We believe that all who are baptized are part of the family of God. No matter who, no matter what, no matter where you are on life's journey– notwithstanding race, gender, sexual orientation, class, or creed– we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized (past, present. and future) are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism. We hold baptisms during worship when the community is present because baptism includes the community's promise of love, support, and care for the baptized. And we promise that we won't take it back, no matter where your journey leads you.
We believe that all people are invited to join together at Christ's table for the sacrament of Holy Communion. Just as many grains of wheat are gathered to make one loaf of bread and many grapes are gathered to make one cup of wine, we, the many people of God, are made one in the body of Christ. The breaking of bread and the pouring of wine reminds us of the discipleship to which we are all called and of Christ’s love for the whole of creation. In the breaking of bread, we remember and celebrate Christ's presence among us along with a cloud of witnesses– our ancestors, family, and friends who have gone before us. It is a welcome space for all.
We want the young people in our community to explore their own sense of faith and spirituality. Confirmation, which is intended for 8th and 9th graders, is a process where they can do just that. Through classes, meetings, and attending/ hosting events within our church community and beyond, we hope to give our children the tools they need to discern their own faith journeys. The goal of confirmation is to provide a myriad of approaches to different aspects of faith and spirituality, so every individual can form an authentic relationship with God and with the faith community we have built.
The UCC does not hold the belief that scripture is inerrant, nor do we believe that the Bible is meant to be read in the literal sense but, rather, as a collection of stories meant to teach us about the different ways people of the ancient world wrestled with God and their faith. We encourage our members, and those visiting with us, to approach the Bible with a sense of curiosity, wonder, and possibility. There is so much wisdom to glean from its stories, we need not limit ourselves to a singular way of thinking or mode of interpretation.
New Hope United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation, which means that all people are welcome at our church– with specific attention paid to members of the LGBTQIAP+ community. Being O&A is a living covenant between New Hope UCC and the wider world which states that we will be a safe space for the marginalized and oppressed, the lost and forgotten. It also states that we will behave and worship in a manner that is open, welcoming, and affirming of people of every gender and identity.