No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

We believe in extravagant welcome. This is why we insist that God’s communion table is open, not closed, and God’s gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregation extends hospitality as a sign of God’s inclusive love. We teach that evangelism — offering bread to those in search of it — is God’s mission. We think that many times the questions are more important than the answer. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with — not against — people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking,

We bring together different traditions, varying worship styles, contrasting theological outlooks and the gifts of diversity found in Christianity. We celebrate the commonality of our faith in God made known to us through Jesus. As Christians we are called to remember that what joins us with our sisters and brothers in faith is far greater than what divides us, and we recognize that the Church is at its best when it is living, dynamic and changing. In our midst are believers, questioners and doubters, young and old, gay and straight, partnered and single, many with children and all who are children of parents, those who know what they believe and those who are still trying to figure it out. Our life together is grounded in worship that draws from the best of our traditions and is open to the Spirit moving through us today. Together we engage in programs of education, service, spiritual practices, fellowship and music — that we might grow closer to God, be drawn into deeper relationship with one another and be more steadfastly connected to the world in which we live. We rely on God’s grace and guidance on our journey together.

What We Believe

Our faith is 2,000 years old. Our thinking is not.

• ​We believe God not only created the world, but continues to create it each and every day.
• We believe we were created in God’s own image:  beautiful and good.
• We believe that God’s own child and humanity’s savior, Jesus Christ, is a hope, redeemer and friend to each of us.
• We believe in the Holy Spirit, the power of God at work in our daily lives day by day. It sustains us and is with us always.
• We believe that we are called to be real, honest and authentic.
• We believe that we are called to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

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What is the United Church of Christ?

Kirkwood UCC is a congregation of the United Church of Christ. The UCC is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination with over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the U.S. We are people of God’s extravagant welcome, who listen for the Still Speaking God and insist that “Jesus didn’t turn people away, and neither do we.”  For more information about the United Church of Christ, you can visit www.ucc.org

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Becoming a member of Kirkwood United Church of Christ

Kirkwood United Church of Christ is comprised of people who, declaring a desire to be in either a congregational covenant, a faith covenant, or both, commit to an ongoing covenant relationship with each other, with Kirkwood UCC, and with God. Although we do not typically use the term, other congregations may call this covenant one’s “membership” in the church.

A person in congregational covenant is committed to being a full part of the life of the congregation by investing time, talent, service and financial resources, and by being in prayer with and for KUCC.

A person in faith covenant believes in and chooses to follow Jesus the Christ, will celebrate and participate in the sacraments of baptism and holy communion, promises to grow in the grace and knowledge of God, three in one, and promises to be a witness of God’s love in the world in word and deed.

​All persons who are or shall be in covenant with Kirkwood UCC are thereby in covenant with the entire United Church of Christ.

For those who want a more structured view of our governance: KUCC Constitution and By-Laws (PDF)