Here are some basics about our denomination, the United Church of Christ.

The United Church of Christ was formed in 1957 from the merger of two older denominations, the Congregational and the Evangelical and Reformed churches. We are:

• Christian (witnessing to the power of the crucified and risen Christ)
• Reformed (believing in one triune God, the primacy of the scriptures and justification by faith)
• Congregational (with local churches as the basic unit, in covenant with others)
• Evangelical (proclaiming the gospel—the good news of God’s love)

• “That they may all be one” (John 17:21)—The motto of the UCC, also part of its logo, points to future efforts to heal the divisions in the body of Christ.
• In essentials unity, in nonessentials diversity, in all things charity—Guided by love, we seek mutual understanding and agreement about what is essential.
• There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God’s Holy Word—The Bible was written in the context of specific times and places, yet still speaks to us in our present condition. God is a “still-speaking” God. New insights are constantly being revealed as we study scripture.
• The priesthood of all believers—All members of the UCC are called to minister to others and participate as equals. Each has direct access to the mercies of God through personal prayer and devotion. Some are called to different tasks and functions and are ordained as pastors to guide and enable all Christians to do the work of ministry.
• Responsible freedom—Individuals are free to believe and act in accordance with our perceptions of God’s will for our lives. But we are called to live in loving, covenantal relationships with one another.

• Each congregation is free to act in accordance with the collective decisions of its members, guided by the Spirit. We are called into covenantal relationship with other congregations for sharing of insight and collective action. UCC churches are gathered in 39 regional conferences, totaling about 5,500 churches and one million members.
• Falcon Heights Church belongs to the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ. The conference’s offices are in the Twin Cities, as is the United Theological Seminary, one of 12 theological schools associated with the denomination.