Community Spirit Church has been “in care” with the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) of the United Church of Christ (UCC) since its founding in 2013, existing as a “new church start” under the umbrella of our conference. During that time, CSC has:
- Actively participated in the Western Association and the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) of the United Church of Christ, including attendance at all annual meetings;
- Paid annual membership dues to both the Western Association and RMC;
- Consistently achieved “5 for 5” status as a congregation, pledging support to the UCC’s Our Church’s Wider Mission and its four annual special mission offerings;
- Received grants to assist with outreach activities in the community;
- Supported sending our youth to life-changing summer camps at La Foret.
What does it mean to “have standing” in the UCC?
Our delegates to wider church meetings will serve as voting members with full privileges. Until now, we have had to be granted special permission for “voice and vote” at each meeting. Our church will have access to a broader array of resources, funding opportunities, and educational programs at reduced rates. Most importantly, having standing represents a formal covenant between our church, the association, and the conference. It recognizes that we are part of the wider UCC church family, called to pray for and support each other, honor the rich history and traditions of the UCC, and simultaneously recognize the importance of engaging in critical thinking.
In September 2023, CSC members met on Zoom with the RMC Formation and Authorization Subcommittee (FAS). This robust and encouraging conversation afforded us the opportunity to share our discernment, progress, and accomplishments over the ten years since our inception. We also described how we benefited from Rev Karen Winkel’s leadership and guidance. It was clear to FAS that, for all intents and purposes, CSC has been operating as a UCC church for ten years. Shortly after the Zoom meeting, the FAS Team unanimously supported Community Spirit Church’s request for standing in the UCC and sent that recommendation to the Rocky Mountain Conference for approval.
Celebrating CSC’s Standing on Friday, October 4th!
Last year, the RMC Conference encountered various challenges, which postponed the celebration of our standing until this fall. Community Spirit Church will officially be recognized as a UCC church at a celebration dinner and worship service on Friday, October 4th, at First Congregational Church in Grand Junction. Members of the Western Association and Rocky Mountain Conference are looking forward to sharing this evening with us, acknowledging that it has been many years since a new UCC church was added to their rosters.
To make it easy for everyone to participate in this important celebration, the church will pay the registration fee for anyone wishing to attend. We are also planning to carpool to Grand Junction; a sign-up sheet will be available every Sunday to let us know if you need a ride or can serve as a driver. You can also contact Pat Riddell to be included on this sign-up sheet or to discuss the process that she and Pastor Karen led our church through.