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Who Are We – A Heritage of Free-Thinkers
Our church family has a distinguished heritage reaching back to the earliest days of our nation. The forebears of our denominational connection, the United Church of Christ, include the Pilgrims, independent thinkers who sought spiritual freedom.
Formed out of a merger in 1857 between the Congregational-Christian Churches with Evangelical and Reformed Church, the United Church of Christ has left a legacy of involvement in ministries of compassion, advocacy and reconciliation. Its dedication to progressive principles led it to oppose slavery, work for civil rights, and ordain the first African American pastor, the first woman pastor, and the first openly gay minister. At the most recent General Synod, the UCC became the first denomination to affirm marriage rights for non-heterosexual couples.
Locally, our roots can be traced to Thomas Condon. Ordained as a Congregational minister in Portland in 1853, he was also the first professor of geology at the University of Oregon. Condon saw no conflict between the theory of evolution and the Bible. In 1889 he founded a Congregational church in Eugene, known today as First Congregational Church. The church’s progressive leanings were evident even in its Victorian-era infancy – the first bylaws mandated three trustees, “at least one of whom shall be a woman.”
Over the years, first Congregational has occupied three Eugene buildings. From each of these sites, the church has distinguished itself as a spiritual landmark, providing a catalyst for members to explore and solidify their faith and progressive ideals.
Today, our church family numbers nearly 1,200 – over 800 of them members – representing many walks of life, beliefs, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. On Sunday, five generations join to worship and study together, and throughout the week we pursue our spiritual pilgrimages through service to the church, our community, and our families. Our compassion extends beyond our church walls – last year we gave nearly $90,000 to outreach missions of care and compassion. And our preschool, which some parents have characterized as “the last perfect place on Earth” provides a solid learning and creative foundation for 90 youngsters in our community each year.
Our Bylaws affirm that we are an “open and affirming” congregation, meaning that sexual orientation in and of itself is not an issue for membership, leadership, or ordination. Besides our wider church connection with the UCC, we are a member of The Center For Progressive Christianity and affirm the eight points of a progressive expression of Christianity as listed elsewhere on our website.
Though worship is the Sunday morning hub, our life in community is nurtured by our many small groups, each with a distinct fellowship, musical, social justice, support, or spiritual growth focus. Companions in Christ, Beyond War, Care for Creation, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Dinners for Eight, Grief Support, Cancer Support Group, and Youth Fellowships, are a few examples of our small-group emphasis.
Our church is working in partnership with Planned Parenthood to implement a national initiative of comprehensive sexuality education called “Rights, Respect, Responsibility.” Its vision is to help young people develop healthy sexual attitudes and behaviors supported by proven strategies. Our RRR program includes a 25-week course for 8th graders called OWL (Our Whole Lives), which weaves spirituality into comprehensive sexuality education. We also do a series of weekend OWL retreats for high school age young people.
We are a growing congregation, “seeking to live Jesus’ vision of community and mission.” Though we are “mindful that religious truth will be revealed in varied, new, and surprising ways.” (From our Vision Statement).