What We Believe
Spend time with us and you will see what we believe.
- We believe in the one God, Creator of us all and who welcomes all.
- We believe in Jesus Christ as our teacher, living among us today in the work of hope, love, healing, and justice. We offer the peace of Christ with others; as we share around the communion table, as we welcome others with baptize, as we pray in the name of Jesus and as we follow Christ.
- We experience God through the Spirit in worship, in relationships, in joining with others in God’s good work.
- We believe in a God who is still-speaking — through our experiences, through the Spirit, through prayer and in the Bible. The themes of our worship are drawn from the Bible, it guides us on the issues of the day and informs us on how to live by God's ways.
Wailuku Union Church believes...
Church must be relevant.
WUC is a growing community that understands the demands that are placed on the lives of people who live on Maui. If a spiritual community is to have any impact it must meet the people where they are in life. We want to do this! This spiritual community wants to help you make relevant connections with the message of the gospel and your life that are meaningful and practical. |
Diversity is embraced.
WUC can provide a sense of belonging and a spiritual home for all people – "no matter who you are or where you are in life's journey, you are welcomed here." -UCC |
It’s OK to ask questions.
WUC values the exploration of faith and encourages people to seek answers for some of today’s hardest questions. This is a safe community to bring questions about spirituality and the role of the church in today’s culture. |
Discipleship is important.
WUC is building a contemporary educational ministry for children, youth, and adults that will teach values of tolerance, responsibility, and compassion. We believe that these are the values of Jesus Christ, and we are committed to modeling them both inside and outside the walls of our church. |
We are Christ-centered
WUC believes in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ as described in the Bible. We look to Jesus as our example of integrity, wholeness, and justice. We also believe that we experience the living presence of Christ today through prayer, relationships, worship, Holy Communion and Baptism and acts of loving justice. |
God is still speaking…
God loves us and God is still speaking. We are active in discerning God's will through prayer, study, the Bible, discussion and listening. We respond to God's call of us in acts of love and justice. |
Wailuku Union Church embraces the cost and joy of discipleship by:
- Caring for the spiritual and life enrichment of its members and friends;
- Reaching out to the local community to provide spiritual growth and Christian love and action;
- Challenging its members and friends to care for the global community and the earth itself;
- Helping all people grow in their faith, discover their unique spiritual gifts for ministry, and find ways to honor God with their worship and lives.
Who is the UCC?
The United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ came into being in 1957 with the union of two Protestant denominations: the Evangelical and Reformed Churches and the Congregational and Christian Church. The history of the United Church of Christ has revealed certain polarities, which the founders tried to hold together or at the very least balance for the sake of unity in the new denomination. The UCC’s motto can be seen on its denominational symbol: “that they may all be one.” Indeed the founding of the UCC was very much an effort to heal divisions within the Church with an eye toward unity of all Christians. UCC churches tend to tailor themselves to fit the people they feel called to serve in their local community. The result: A wide variety of musical traditions, expressions and values that have integrity and purpose. From conservative to liberal, we’re not short on variety. |
One God, One Faith, One Baptism for All
We believe that baptism places each of us into the “body of Christ”. Some are baptized as infants, others as adults. Some are sprinkled. Others are immersed. Some reclaim their baptism from a previous church life. For each of us, however, baptism is big enough, strong enough and cleansing enough to identify us with God. We believe that everyone – old, young, straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, physically or emotionally challenged, rich or poor, sure or unsure, lost or found, Democrat or Republican – has a place in the body of Christ. Baptism is a sign that says, “you’re a full member of the church.” More information can be found at ucc.org.
We believe that baptism places each of us into the “body of Christ”. Some are baptized as infants, others as adults. Some are sprinkled. Others are immersed. Some reclaim their baptism from a previous church life. For each of us, however, baptism is big enough, strong enough and cleansing enough to identify us with God. We believe that everyone – old, young, straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, physically or emotionally challenged, rich or poor, sure or unsure, lost or found, Democrat or Republican – has a place in the body of Christ. Baptism is a sign that says, “you’re a full member of the church.” More information can be found at ucc.org.
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith Adapted by Robert V. Moss
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify: God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death. God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator. God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races. God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, 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. God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen. |