415 Park Avenue, Newport, KY 41071 (859) 431-1818
St. John's United Church of Christ is a congregational church that is a part of the world-wide United Church of Christ. Our heritage is the diverse coalition of congregational and reformed churches that emerged from the protestant reformation in Europe and made its way to America with the Pilgrims. Founded in 1958, the United Church of Christ was created specifically from the governing synod of the Evangelical and Reformed Churches of America and the general council of the Congregational Christian Churches of the United States.
The United Church of Christ has a strong tradition of inclusion while maintaining its love of scripture and its knowledge that Jesus Christ remains at the head of our church. The United Church of Christ has been a pioneer in cutting-edge societal issues beginning with it's fight against slavery and continuing through the committed inclusion of women as ordained clergy. We are continuing our mission of social justice as we strive to fully include all persons in the membership and leadership of our church, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or social status.
Our Mission
As people of the United Church of Christ, affirming our Statement of Faith, we seek within the Church Universal to participate in God's mission and to follow the way of the crucified and risen Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called and commit ourselves:
To praise God, confess our sin, and joyfully accept God's forgiveness;
To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our suffering world;
To embody God's love for all people;
To hear and give voice to creation's cry for justice and peace;
To name and confront the powers of evil within and among us;
To repent our silence and complicity with the forces of choas and death;
To preach and teach with the power of the living Word;
To join oppressed and troubled people in the struggle for liberation;
To work for justice, healing, and wholeness of life;
To embrace the unity of Christ's church;
To discern and celebrate the present and coming reign of God.
Our Vision
This faith community will openly and lovingly grow our ministries within and beyond these walls; reflecting our intergenerational, multi-cultural, Christ-centered mission and outreach.
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:
He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways of life and death. He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.
He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, 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.
He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him. Amen.
