Vision Statement

Exploring ways to share God’s love and justice with the world

Statement of Faith

We are a Christian community where …

1. We believe in a God of many names, source of all creation, mysterious, beyond comprehension, and yet intimate and accessible. We find God revealed in the natural world, in history, in our evolving understanding of scripture, in our experiences, in our own faith tradition and in the truths revealed in other faiths.

2. We strive to follow the teachings of Jesus by practicing love and forgiveness, promoting health and wholeness for all persons, and working for social justice. We affirm the sacredness of all persons of all abilities, ages, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions and sexual orientations.

3. We honor the sacredness of creation by working to heal the earth and preserve its resources for future generations.

4. We accept the challenge to serve as God’s hands in creating a community and world of compassion, justice and reconciliation

— approved by the congregation 25 October 2009

Open and Affirming Statement

Convinced that “in Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one” (Galatians 3: 28), First Congregational Church of Santa Barbara, United Church of Christ, declares itself to be Open and Affirming of women and men of all ages, ethnic origins, abilities, and sexual orientations who desire to participate in its worship, life, and ministry.

— approved by the congregation 24 October 1999