First Church is a Faith Community
- Called together by God, the Creator and sustainer of life, to worship, pray and serve.
- Led by Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Savior, to learn the faith and welcome all God’s children.
- Empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness to God’s love and justice between ourselves, and throughout the world.
Covenant
For almost 170 years, First Congregational Church’s Covenant has been:
We covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ and one another and bind ourselves in the presence of God to live together in all God’s ways as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and holy scripture. The church acknowledges that all members have the right of individual interpretation of the principles of the Christian faith and respects them in their honest convictions. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord, the church recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion
First Church's Open & Affirming Statement
We, the members of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Columbus, Ohio, welcome and affirm all. We believe we are all created in God’s image and called to love our neighbors as Jesus loves us. We believe we are many members, but one body in Christ, called to unite all people in God’s love. We are a community seeking God’s presence and love in our lives. We seek to unite persons of all ages, races, nationalities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, sexes, gender identities and expressions, family structures, mental, intellectual and physical conditions, economic circumstances, political, theological and faith backgrounds. Together in our diversity, and being empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit, we will “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8)
—Adopted September 8, 2002 by the congregation.
Revisions adopted January 27, 2019 by the congregation.
Membership
We encourage those considering membership to attend a “ New Members Class.” This one-session class, held several times a year, is an excellent opportunity to learn more about who we are, what we believe, and to connect with others seeking membership. Active members may vote in congregational meetings and hold congregationally-elected positions. Membership into the church is through baptism, confirmation, reaffirmation of baptism, or through a letter of transfer from another Christian church.