The First Congregational Church of Holliston is a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Formed in 1957 through the merger of three protestant denominations, the United Church of Christ actively seeks to bring together believers of many different cultures and backgrounds to live as one body of Christ on Earth.

The UCC is non-creedal but has a statement of faith which is below. We are congregational in nature, meaning that all decisions are made by the members of the local churches, yet we are bound in covenant to an Association (we are members of the Central Association) and a Conference (the Massachusetts Conference). Our National organization is housed in Cleveland, Ohio.

Our mutual covenant allows us to operate independently yet receive the support and care of our UCC brothers and sisters in faith. For more information on the United Church of Christ visit the website at www.ucc.org.

 

The symbol of the United Church of Christ comprises a crown, cross and orb enclosed within a double oval bearing the name of the church and the prayer of Jesus, "That they may all be one" (John 17:21). It is based on an ancient Christian symbol called the "Cross of Victory" or the "Cross Triumphant." The crown symbolizes the sovereignty of Christ. The cross recalls the suffering of Christ—his arms outstretched on the wood of the cross—for the salvation of humanity. The orb, divided into three parts, reminds us of Jesus' command to be his "witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The verse from Scripture reflects our historic commitment to the restoration of unity among the separated churches of Jesus Christ.

The UCC logo is a registered trademark of the United Church of Christ.

Learn more about the
United Church of Christ

The United Church of Christ official website

The Massachusetts Conference of the
United Church of Christ website

United Church of Christ Wikipedia article

The Revised Common Lectionary

First Congregational Church's history

United Church of Christ News

The United Church of Christ is seeking $300,000 to support the emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation initiatives of Church World Service in Pakistan. Please make a donation.

 

The United Church of Christ Statement of Faith

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus Christ,
Our brother, and to whose deeds we testify:

God calls the worlds into being,
creates humankind in the divine image,
and sets before us the ways of life and death.

God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

God judges humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness
declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord,
God has come to us and shared our common lot,
conquering sin and death
and reconciling the whole creation to its creator.

God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit,
creating and renewing the Church of Jesus Christ,
binding in covenant, faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

God calls us into the church
to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to be servants in the service of the whole human family,
to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil,
to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table,
to join him in his passion and victory.

God promises to all who trust in the gospel
forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
courage in the struggle for justice and peace,
the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing,
and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen.

Adopted 1959, Oberlin, Ohio; revised 1976 by Robert V. Moss,
President of UCC (1969-1976)