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FWC Sponsored luncheon at General Synod

Rev. Charles Hambrick-Stowe reflects on the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth, his impact in the life of the UCC and his future contribution to our denominational life together.

FWC to distribute lip balm at Synod

Wondering why FWC has chosen to distribute lip balm at General Synod? Why do we reference Jeremiah 8:22? Read here for the answer.

Feb Update

Feb 22: Now available

Leaving Isn't the Answer

Related: Why the pastor of the largest Episcopalian congregation is staying put in a 'very sick' church.

2008 National Gathering

Jul 10-12: News and Photos from Cleveland (more)

What is ECOT?

Faithful and Welcoming Churches has recently introduced the term ECOT into its vocabluary to attempt to identify the theological makeup of its membership. ECOT stands for Evangelical, Conservative, Orthodox and Traditional. To understand what it means to be ECOT, read this article.

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Alternatives to Withdrawal Up one folder

  • Consider slowing down the process toward withdrawal to give the congregation time to discuss and pray over its alternatives, and especially to avoid the result of becoming an independent church, which we in FWC believe is an unhealthy alternative. (more on this) 
  • Send congregational representatives to the national gathering of the Faithful and Welcoming Fellowship. Send both pastors and laity, since this gathering will launch a UCC lay renewal network.
  • Ask your church to become a "Faithful and Welcoming" church by affirming the Basis of Union with Interpretations, the Preamble to the UCC Constitution, and the Lexington Confession. Register your church.
  • Change the name of your congregation to remove the name "United Church of Christ," since denominational leaders are determined to market the name of the church with the Open and Affirming identity.
  • E-mail the conference contact in your conference so that you can be informed of gatherings and cooperative efforts in your area. If you do not use e-mail, ask someone who does to make the contact and share information with you.
  • Increase your congregation's attendance in and vocal presence at meetings of your Association and Conference. Even if you are in the minority, let your voice be heard. Be sure your delegates to Association and Conference meetings represent the views of your congregation.
  • Change your church's bylaws to require acceptance of the UCC Basis of Union with Interpretations, Preamble to the Constitution, and Lexington Confession by pastors, and to disallow avowed practicing homosexuals as clergy and disallow same sex marriages and civil unions in the church.
  • If necessary to keep the congregation in the denomination, consider redirecting or designating funds marked for the UCC. FWC does not endorse the withholding of funds from OCWM, but it is in our view a better option than the irreversible choice of separation. Be sure to notify Association, Conference, and national UCC representatives why this step is being taken.
  • Refuse to be intimidated! Note the following clear provision in the UCC Constitution, Article V, Paragraph 18 --

"The autonomy of the Local Church is inherent and modifiable only by its own action. Nothing in this Constitution and the Bylaws of the United Church of Christ shall destroy or limit the right of each Local Church to continue to operate in the way customary to it; nor shall be construed as giving to the General Synod, or to any Conference or Association now, or at any future time, the power to abridge or impair the autonomy of any Local Church in the management of its own affairs, which affairs include, but are not limited to, the right to retain or adopt its own methods of organization, worship and education; to retain or secure its own charter and name; to adopt its own constitution and bylaws; to formulate its own covenants and confessions of faith; to admit members in its own way and to provide for their discipline or dismissal; to call or dismiss its pastor or pastors by such procedure as it shall determine; to acquire, own, manage and dispose of property and funds; to control its own benevolences; and to withdraw by its own decision from the United Church of Christ at any time without forfeiture of ownership or control of any real or personal property owned by it."