Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ

The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church to join faith and action. With over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the U.S., the UCC serves God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world. The UCC is a church of firsts, a church of extravagant welcome, and a church where “…they may all be one” (John 17:21).

A Church of Firsts

Since 1957, the United Church of Christ has been the church of firsts, weaving God’s message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. Together, we live out our faith in ways that effect change in our communities.

The UCC’s many “firsts” mean that we have inherited a tradition of acting upon the demands of our faith. When we read in Galatians: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”—a demand is made upon us. And so we were the first historically white denomination to ordain an African-American, the first to ordain a woman, the first to ordain an openly gay man, and the first Christian church to affirm the right of same-gender couples to marry. We were in the forefront of the anti-slavery movement and the Civil Rights movement. Our response to the demands of our faith is woven into the history of our country.

Extravagant Welcome

Today, we continue to change lives throughout the world. We work alongside more than 200 mission partners. We labor ceaselessly to fight injustice, in the United States and abroad. We instill our vision into our youth and young adults, forging leaders who will imagine new dreams. And we sustain and develop church leaders, pastors, and our local churches to live their faith in exciting new ways. We believe in a God that is still speaking, a God that is all-loving and inclusive. We are a church that welcomes and accepts everyone as they are, where your mind is nourished as much as your soul.

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

To ignite hearts everywhere with God’s love.

OUR VISION

Extending God’s extravagant welcome to all, we serve our community with openness and acceptance.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we promote peace and social justice, nurtured by prayer, worship and music ministries.

OUR VALUES

We are an OPEN AND AFFIRMING congregation where we embrace our UCC motto: “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

Principles by which we strive to relate to one another and to the world:

– Faith in Jesus Christ

– Love of God and neighbor

– Spiritual growth and development

– Service to others

– Hospitality, friendship, and fellowship

– Diversity and multiculturalism

– Mutual respect and acceptance of one another