{"id":1425,"date":"2023-02-20T12:26:06","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T18:26:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/elyucc-org.ntc5-p4stl.ezhostingserver.com\/?page_id=1425"},"modified":"2023-05-26T12:00:20","modified_gmt":"2023-05-26T17:00:20","slug":"what-we-believe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/?page_id=1425","title":{"rendered":"What We Believe"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1425\" class=\"elementor elementor-1425\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27f40c4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"27f40c4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-e-bg-lazyload=\"\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-096f449 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"096f449\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;triangle-asymmetrical&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M738,99l262-93V0H0v5.6L738,99z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-160d439 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"160d439\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The United Church of Christ, as a body, believes:<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9bd1c1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c9bd1c1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9de2148 elementor--h-position-center elementor--v-position-middle elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-inside elementor-widget elementor-widget-slides\" data-id=\"9de2148\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;transition&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;transition_speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"slides.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-bg{background-size:cover;background-position:50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;min-width:100%;min-height:100%}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner{background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:50%;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;padding:50px;margin:auto}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner,.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner:hover{color:#fff;display:flex}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-background-overlay{position:absolute;z-index:0;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-content{position:relative;z-index:1;width:100%}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-heading{font-size:35px;font-weight:700;line-height:1}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-description{font-size:17px;line-height:1.4}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-description:not(:last-child),.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-heading:not(:last-child){margin-bottom:30px}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-button{border:2px solid #fff;color:#fff;background:transparent;display:inline-block}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-button,.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-button:hover{background:transparent;color:inherit;text-decoration:none}.elementor--v-position-top .swiper-slide-inner{align-items:flex-start}.elementor--v-position-bottom .swiper-slide-inner{align-items:flex-end}.elementor--v-position-middle .swiper-slide-inner{align-items:center}.elementor--h-position-left .swiper-slide-inner{justify-content:flex-start}.elementor--h-position-right .swiper-slide-inner{justify-content:flex-end}.elementor--h-position-center .swiper-slide-inner{justify-content:center}body.rtl .elementor-widget-slides .elementor-swiper-button-next{left:10px;right:auto}body.rtl .elementor-widget-slides .elementor-swiper-button-prev{right:10px;left:auto}.elementor-slides-wrapper div:not(.swiper-slide)>.swiper-slide-inner{display:none}@media (max-width:767px){.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner{padding:30px}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-heading{font-size:23px;line-height:1;margin-bottom:15px}.elementor-slides .swiper-slide-inner .elementor-slide-description{font-size:13px;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:15px}}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-slides-wrapper elementor-main-swiper swiper-container\" dir=\"ltr\" data-animation=\"zoomIn\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper elementor-slides\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-67d65c6 swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe in the triune God:<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-3de05d8 swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe that each person is unique and valuable.<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">It is the will of God that every person belongs to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-2f68cee swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">And that each of us is at a different stage of that journey.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-7c1ff49 swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">Engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-aef28e0 swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe that all of the baptized \"belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.\"<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">No matter who - no matter what - no matter where we are on life's journey - notwithstanding race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, class or creed - we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized - past, present, and future - are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism. We baptize during worship when the community is present because baptism includes the community's promise of \"love, support and care\" for the baptized - and we promise that we won't take it back - no matter where your journey leads you.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-6123e3f swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe that all people of faith are invited to join Christ at Christ's table for the sacrament of Communion. <\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">Just as many grains of wheat are gathered to make one loaf of bread and many grapes are gathered to make one cup of wine, we, the many people of God, are made one in the body of Christ, the discipleship to which we are all called. In the breaking of bread, we remember and celebrate Christ's presence among us along with a \"cloud of witnesses\" - our ancestors, family and friends who have gone before us. It is a great mystery; we claim it by faith.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-cc8f19a swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church.<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">\"That they may all be one.\" (John 17:21) \"In essentials - unity, in nonessentials - diversity, in all things - charity.\" These UCC mottos survive because they touch core values deep within us. The UCC has no rigid formulation of doctrine or attachment to creeds or structures. Its overreaching creed is love. UCC pastors and teachers are known for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture and justice advocacy. Even so, love and unity in the midst of our diversity are our greatest assets.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-2e9cec4 swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">And to be good stewards of the earth's resources. \"To believe is to care; to care is to do.\"<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-ddb1750 swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-67d5bfc swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We believe in the power of peace<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">And work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"elementor-repeater-item-58d65c0 swiper-slide\"><div class=\"swiper-slide-bg\" role=\"img\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide-inner\" ><div class=\"swiper-slide-contents\"><div class=\"elementor-slide-heading\">We are a people of responsibility.<\/div><div class=\"elementor-slide-description\">In the UCC, members, congregations and structures have the breathing room to explore and to hear... for after all, God is still speaking...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Previous slide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Next slide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7727b3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e7727b3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aade601 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aade601\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-720 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/UCC-Emblem-257x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"169\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/UCC-Emblem-257x300.jpg 257w, https:\/\/elyucc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/UCC-Emblem.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" \/>We invite You&#8230;<\/h1><p>To worship with us, to talk with us, to break bread with us (we practice an open table, meaning that all are welcome to take communion at Ely Memorial UCC Church), to fellowship with us&#8230;to explore the mission and ministry of Ely Memorial Church, United Church of Christ&#8230;and to join with us if you feel so moved. Because, as we say&#8230;and it&#8217;s much more than just a saying to us&#8230;<em>&#8220;No matter who you are or where you are on life&#8217;s journey, you&#8217;re welcome here.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The United Church of Christ, as a body, believes: We believe in the triune God:Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.We believe that each person is unique and valuable.It is the will of God [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1425","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1425"}],"version-history":[{"count":82,"href":"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1425\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2021,"href":"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1425\/revisions\/2021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elyucc.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}