Westminster UCC

To Believe is to care,
To Care is to do!
United Church of Christ Motto

Westminster Church is Spokane's first and one of its most historic churches. Organized in May of 1879, the original wood frame church building at the corner of First Avenue and Bernard Streets was one of the few not destroyed in the great Spokane Fire of 1889. It was sold, and the present building was erected in 1890 with an expansion of the sanctuary and added classroom and office space completed in 1928. An elevator was installed in 1986. For additional information on Westminster's history in early Spokane see: Discovery School Spokane History information.

Throughout its long history, Westminster has had a vigorous outreach to the city of Spokane. This continues today with support of community programs such as the Tree of Sharing, hosting of local groups, and an active church school program/family ministries program, including evening activities for youth.

Westminster has an outstanding Chancel Choir and handbell program, and features frequent special music programs by local and national artists. The church is also home to the Spokane Area Children's Chorus, and is frequently used for rehearsals and concerts by both Lewis & Clark High School and the Spokane Youth Symphony.

Sunday Worship Schedule

8:30 am Contemporary Worship Service
9:30 am Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Adult Education Class
9:30 am Social Time/ Conversations about God (summer)
10:30 am Worship and Church School
11:30 am Social Time

Calendar

God is not God of the dead but of the living. - Luke 20: 38b (NEV)

In the United Church of Christ, we worship a living God. We believe in God's continuing revelation. We always have.

When the Pilgrims set sail for the new world in 1620, their pastor, John
Robinson, told them: "The Lord hath more truth and light yet to break forth
from His holy Word." Translated into a 21st century idiom, we believe that God is still speaking, (and we never place a period where God has left a comma.)

Our United Church of Christ has been called the "early" church, because we're
usually among the first in addressing important issues facing our society and in taking bold positions that challenge the status quo. That's because we believe God continually calls us into new ministries of love, justice, and inclusiveness. And we live out that calling in new settings and circumstances. The roots of our faith are over two thousand years old. But our thinking is not. We are a seekers' church. Our worship doesn't exclude questions and explorations. At our best, our congregations seek to include anyone and everyone who wants to listen for the voice of the still speaking God. So no matter who we are, or where we are on life's journey, we know we have a home in the United Church of Christ.

Our Covenant

I covenant with you, members and friends of Westminster congregational United Church of Christ:

To create and hold an open, trusting Christian Community where we can each discovery our unique relationship with God;
To accept you as we seek ways to resolve our differences, and to rejoice as a community of faith and trust;
To seek opportunities for expression of faith by sharing talents and resources with our church, community and world;
To celebrate with you the power of God's call and God's love.

Open and Affirming Statement

Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ publicly declares that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are welcome in the full life and ministry of our congregation. We affirm human sexuality as a good gift of God, and that a person’s sexual orientation – whether gay, bisexual, or heterosexual – is no barrier to God’s love or full participation in Christ’s church. Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ embraces a spirit of hospitality founded in the gospels of Jesus Christ and a willingness to live out that welcome in meaningful ways. As an Open and Affirming Church, our longstanding culture of welcome extends to all people regardless of sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, gender, physical ability, socioeconomic status or faith background.

2/4/2007

United Church of Christ Statement of Faith
adapted by Robert V. Moss

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus 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 all 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 judges all 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.

Copyright: Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ
Created: August 8, 2002
Revised: June 14, 2008