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OUR DENOMINATIONS
 American
Baptist Churches USA
The American Baptist Churches USA assumed its present organizational form
in 1973. It traces back to the Northern Baptist Convention, founded in
1907 to coordinate the work of various Baptist mission agencies then in
existence. The denomination, headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, has about
1.5 million members in 4800 congregations in the United States. Following
centuries of Baptist tradition, each congregation enjoys virtually complete
autonomy.
American Baptists have their historical roots in the 16th century English
Reformation. Early on, "believer," or "adult," baptism
distinguished Baptists from otherwise theologically similar nonconformist
groups. Baptists stressed the primacy of scripture and respected the right
of the individual believer to interpret scripture according to his or
her own conscience. Having their origins in a movement opposed to an official
church, Baptists have traditionally supported strict separation of church
and state.
Modern American Baptists emphasize personal faith in Jesus Christ, share
their faith through missions, evangelism, and service, and support religious
freedom and social justice.
Learn more:
American Baptist Churches USA
Rochester-Genesee Regional ABC Association
(site of the Rochester-Genesee regional association, to which our
church belongs)
 United
Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a fusion of several different Christian
traditions. From the beginning of its history, the UCC has affirmed the
ideal that Christians do not always have to agree to live together in
communion. Its motto—"that they may all be one" (John
17:21)—is Jesus' prayer for the unity of the church.
The UCC came into being in 1957 with the union of the Evangelical and
Reformed with the Congregational Christian denominations. The Congregationalists
grew out of the pilgrim and Puritan settlements of New England. The Christian
Church emerged in the nineteenth century as a free-church expression on
the new American frontier. The Evangelical and Reformed Church traced
its beginnings to congregations of German settlers in Pennsylvania and
the Midwest.
The UCC affirms the primacy of scripture, justification by faith, the
priesthood of believers, and the principle of Christian freedom. Congregational
independence is the basis of UCC polity. The UCC sees as its primary task
the proclamation of the good news of God's love as revealed in Jesus Christ.
Learn more:
United Church of Christ
Indiana-Kentucky Conference of UCC churches
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Our
family became members of the First United Church over forty years
ago. At that time it was known as the First Baptist Church. We were
especially attracted to this church because of the friendliness of
the congregation and the excellent choir. We are a very active church
with the love of Jesus Christ uppermost in our activities for all
ages.