FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The name “Pilgrim” reaches back to the early roots of Congregational churches in the United States. In the 1600s, groups of Christians, often called Pilgrims, left England in search of the freedom to practice their faith without interference from the state or religious authorities. They helped shape what would become the Congregational tradition: communities grounded in local leadership, shared responsibility, and freedom of conscience.

Many churches in the United Church of Christ carry the name “Pilgrim” as a way of honoring that history.

The history is admittedly a bit complicated, because many churches and individuals that were a part of the early colonies were less than accepting and sometimes outright hateful toward the Native Americans, slaves, as well as other minority or indigenous populations.

Just like history though, the name isn’t just about the past, it’s also about who we are right now and who we are becoming.

To be a “pilgrim” is to be on a journey. It means we don’t claim to have everything figured out or a perfect history. We’re people who are still growing, still questioning, still learning what it means to live with compassion, justice, and faith in a complicated world. So while the name may sound a bit old-fashioned at first, it actually points to something deeply relevant: We’re a community of fellow travelers, walking together, seeking meaning, and doing our best to follow the way of love wherever it leads.

To be a Congregational Church means that the people who make up the church congregation are the primary decision-makers in the life of the community.

This way of being church has deep roots in Christian history. It grew out of movements in England in the 16th and 17th centuries, when groups of Christians began to push back against top-down control from both the state and church hierarchies. They believed that no distant authority, whether a bishop, a king, or an institution, should have the final say over a local church. Instead, they trusted that the Holy Spirit speaks through the gathered community.

That conviction carried across the Atlantic with early settlers and became a defining feature of many churches in New England, including those that would eventually become part of the United Church of Christ.

Practically speaking, this means a few important things:

• We govern ourselves. Major decisions like calling a pastor, setting a budget, or shaping our ministries, are made by the congregation, not imposed from outside.
• Every voice matters. Members of the church have a real say in its direction, reflecting a deep belief in shared responsibility and mutual discernment.
• We’re free, but not alone. While we are self-governing, we are also in covenant with other churches in the UCC, partnering together for support, accountability, and shared mission.

At its heart, being a Congregational Church is about trust, trust that God is still speaking, and that wisdom emerges not from the top down, but from the life of a community seeking to follow Jesus together.

The United Church of Christ (often called the UCC) is a Protestant Christian denomination known for its commitment to freedom, inclusivity, and justice.

The UCC was formed in 1957 through the coming together of several Christian traditions, including Congregational, Reformed, and Evangelical churches. From the beginning, it has held a simple but powerful belief: “God is still speaking.” That means we take the Bible seriously, but not literally in every case, and we trust that God continues to guide us as we grow in understanding, compassion, and faith.

So what makes the UCC distinct?

• Freedom of belief. There’s no single checklist of doctrines you have to sign onto. Instead, we encourage people to think deeply, ask questions, and engage their faith with both heart and mind.
• Local leadership. Like many of our roots, UCC churches are Congregational, meaning each church governs itself. There’s no top-down authority dictating what we must believe or do.
• Radical welcome. The UCC has been on the forefront of movements for inclusion – ordaining women early on, advocating for civil rights, and being one of the first denominations to openly affirm LGBTQ+ people in the life and leadership of the church.
• Faith in action. We believe the Gospel calls us not just to belief, but to action – working for justice, caring for our neighbors, and participating in the healing of the world.

In a landscape where churches can sometimes feel rigid, exclusive, or certain about everything, the UCC offers something a bit different: a community where you’re invited to bring your whole self; your questions, your doubts, your hopes, and explore what faith can look like in today’s world.

For us, being a progressive Christian church isn’t about chasing trends or aligning with a political party—it’s about taking the life and teachings of Jesus seriously in the world we live in today.

At its core, “progressive” means we believe faith is something that grows. We don’t see Christianity as a fixed set of answers from the past, but as a living tradition that continues to unfold as we learn more about God, ourselves, and one another.

So what does that look like in practice?

• We lead with love and inclusion. We affirm people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, races, backgrounds, and life experiences—not as an afterthought, but as central to who we are.
• We welcome questions. Doubt isn’t something to hide here—it’s often where faith begins to deepen. You don’t have to check your curiosity or your intellect at the door.
• We take the Bible seriously (but not always literally). We engage Scripture thoughtfully, asking what it meant in its original context and what it might be calling us toward today.
• We care about justice. Following Jesus means paying attention to the needs of the marginalized and working toward a more compassionate, equitable world.

Being “progressive” doesn’t mean we all think the same way. It means we’re committed to growing together—seeking truth, practicing compassion, and doing our best to embody a faith that looks like good news for all people.

At the end of the day, it’s less about having all the right answers and more about walking a shared path shaped by love, humility, and hope.