Who are we?, Posted on Oct 18, 2010 by Michael
We trace our heritage to a band of English Separatists in the 16th Century. Think Pilgrims and Puritans without the black hats.
In the context of the Protestant Reformation, those English Separatists chose to risk life and liberty in order to follow their conscience. They sought to form a church that would be under God’s authority alone, not bound by state edict or centralized church authority. For those religious pioneers, freedom of conscience and the autonomy of the local church were guiding principles.
At First Congregational, we practice a thoughtful Christianity based on the three tenets of Congregationalism: Faith, Freedom, and Fellowship.
* Faith: We affirm faith in God and God’s presence and guidance for us.
*Freedom: We uphold the freedom for each person to seek spiritual answers according to her or his own conscience, study, and experience.
*Fellowship: We function as a community of believers giving support to one another, praying for one another and accepting each other.
We are committed to provide Christian education for all ages in our congregation from the children through the adults. We seek to provide a place where our church members can explore their own spiritual journey.
Additionally, we are active in educational, charitable, and community service. Historically, First Congregational Church opened the first free schools in the intermountain west open to all children. We helped create the Mt. Olivet Cemetery and were among the founders of Friendship Manor, a retirement community. Currently, we support a diverse group of local charities as well as international missions [see our ministries page].
As we look ahead to our continuing ministry, we are guided by our vision statement:
First Congregational Church is a welcoming Christian community, anchored in faith, community service, and worship that:
Encourages and values diversity of thought and belief;
Supports each individual’s faith journey;
Provides a spiritual home in which people can find purpose and fellowship.
In the context of the Protestant Reformation, those English Separatists chose to risk life and liberty in order to follow their conscience. They sought to form a church that would be under God’s authority alone, not bound by state edict or centralized church authority. For those religious pioneers, freedom of conscience and the autonomy of the local church were guiding principles.
At First Congregational, we practice a thoughtful Christianity based on the three tenets of Congregationalism: Faith, Freedom, and Fellowship.
* Faith: We affirm faith in God and God’s presence and guidance for us.
*Freedom: We uphold the freedom for each person to seek spiritual answers according to her or his own conscience, study, and experience.
*Fellowship: We function as a community of believers giving support to one another, praying for one another and accepting each other.
We are committed to provide Christian education for all ages in our congregation from the children through the adults. We seek to provide a place where our church members can explore their own spiritual journey.
Additionally, we are active in educational, charitable, and community service. Historically, First Congregational Church opened the first free schools in the intermountain west open to all children. We helped create the Mt. Olivet Cemetery and were among the founders of Friendship Manor, a retirement community. Currently, we support a diverse group of local charities as well as international missions [see our ministries page].
As we look ahead to our continuing ministry, we are guided by our vision statement:
First Congregational Church is a welcoming Christian community, anchored in faith, community service, and worship that:
Encourages and values diversity of thought and belief;
Supports each individual’s faith journey;
Provides a spiritual home in which people can find purpose and fellowship.
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