About Samuel UCC

A Welcome Message from Our Pastor

We are a vital and vibrant faith community that lives, as our mission states, “In response to the gift of grace and in affirmation of the inclusive love of Christ.” When we say, “Whoever you are or wherever you are on life’s journey, YOU are welcome here,” we mean it. We try to make those words real and incarnate in the way we live our lives.

We embrace the diversity of ideas, ages, beliefs, culture, class, identities, orientations and abilities that make us unique and human. With a focus on mission and justice, we look to a world where sincere hospitality is extended to all we share this world with. We’d love for you to join us on this journey of faith, for a day or for a lifetime.

-Pastor Jeff

We Are Just Peace

Several years ago, this slogan was printed on bumper stickers to describe the United Church of Christ. Critics found the slogan lacking because it didn’t mention God at all. For others close to the heart of the UCC, they knew God is at the heart of, and all wrapped-up in, our caring and acting. God creates. God loves. God’s hope for all that God made is one of a peaceable reign of love and justice. Filled with gratitude for all God’s good gifts, God’s hope is our hope. Our hope connects with God’s hope. We share in both God’s vision and work for the entire world.

We, the members of Samuel United Church of Christ, recognize God calls us to be about justice and to make peace in our world, community and life together. We covenant together and with God to seek the way of justice and peace so as to make a difference in our lives and the lives of all who experience injustice and violence. We will strive for a new world and a renewed church built on the love we see in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

We Advocate for Justice

The History of Just Peace

We Are Open & Affirming

Who is welcome here? You are!

Jesus lived and breathed gracious hospitality. Even though there were powerful people who opposed Jesus’ extravagant welcome, he still embraced those who were often shunned. In the reign of God that Jesus spoke of, he declared there is room for all: children (Luke 18:15-17) and those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, ill, poor, grieving, persecuted and in prison (Matthew 25: 31-46 and Luke 6:20-26). Jesus put faith and hospitality together: “Whoever receives one whom I send receives me,” and those who received Jesus embraced God (John 13:20).

Open and Affirming in St. Louis

About UCC’s LGBT Ministries

We Are Still Speaking

“Our Faith may be 2000 years old, but our thinking is not.”

One of the often-quoted historical snippets in the UCC goes something like this: “There’s still more light and truth breaking through.” The originator of the phrase was the Reverend John Robinson, pastor to the Pilgrims in Leiden, Holland in 1620. These familiar words were offered by Robinson to inspire the Pilgrims on the eve of their departure from the familiar to the New World ahead of them.

Robinson hoped that the Pilgrims might continue the Protestant Reformation that swept Europe in a new and vital way. Although Robinson would not leave with the Pilgrims, he called on them not to fear, but rather to be open to God’s continuing revelation. God was present with them in their history. God was also ahead of them—in the new world speaking in new ways.

Another quote we like to share comes from Gracie Allen: “Never place a period where God has placed a comma.” We believe God continues to lead us and speak to us.

About Still Speaking

We Are Multicultural

A Church of Extravagant Welcome

Today, we continue to change lives throughout the world. We work alongside more than 200 mission partners. We labor ceaselessly to fight injustice in the United States and abroad. We instill our vision into our youth and young adults, forging leaders who will imagine new dreams. We sustain and develop church leaders, pastors and our local churches to live their faith in exciting new ways. We believe in a God that is all-loving and inclusive. We are a church that welcomes and accepts everyone as they are, where your mind is nourished as much as your soul.