SPECIAL NOTE: MISSION OUTREACH 

(One Great Hour of Sharing)

Giving help, hope and life through this offering we support ministries of disasters relief, economic development, refugee resettlement, health-care and social services in over 70 countries including the United States and Canada.  Prayerfully give what you can to this very worthwhile cause.  Use the special envelope that is included in this newsletter.  We will be receiving this special offering throughout the month of March.

United Church of Christ

Somers Community Church is a part of the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ (WCUCC), located in De Forest, WI. Click here to visit the WCUCC site.

God is Still Speaking,

The United Church of Christ has launched a chic new media campaign with TV ads that speak directly to people who feel alienated by the church. Check out more at the StillSpeaking.com web site.

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN – The U.C.C. is Turning 50!

All my life I have either attended or served as pastor in this great denomination, the United Church of Christ. When I was baptized in 1958 my home church (Dover Congregational UCC) in Westlake, Ohio, the church building was actually under construction so services were temporarily being conducted at Dover Elementary School where I later attended Kindergarten through 2^nd grade. At that time, unbeknownst to me (duh!), a new Christian denomination was in the process of enlisting the support of potential member churches by inviting them to consider getting on board and becoming a part of a vibrant movement of “uniting church.” My home church opted in to the merging (and emerging) denomination and never looked back.

Local churches affiliated with the UCC have always had the freedom to make choices concerning their relationship with and too the wider church body. That has been one of the defining characteristics of the UCC; local church autonomy. Given the timing of the official merger/birth (1957) of UCC as we know it, and that of my birth (1958), I have always considered myself “first generation” UCC. I am the product of an era that embraced change and forward progress wholeheartedly and I for one am proud to be a part of the heritage and mission of the United Church of Christ.

In the coming months, the UCC will be looking back at its history culminating next summer with a huge party to celebrate its 50^th anniversary. I will try to bring some of these memories and sentiments to you so that you can be part of the celebration too. Though many have questioned and disagreed with liberal stance of the UCC, no one can argue with the fact we are a diverse and blessed united and uniting church. Stay tuned and join me in giving thanks for our church. PB