Cleveland Park Congregational UCC is a member of the United Church of Christ, a mainstream Protestant denomination. Our church was founded in 1918 and has been active in the life of Cleveland Park and the Washington D.C. area ever since.
We are a church that is always stretching and growing, trying to heed God’s call to love our neighbor as ourselves. Like many UCC congregations, we have always been active on issues of justice and equality. For example, our pastor officiated the marriage of two church members as soon as DC passed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act. We are currently engaged in an examination of our own racial bias and working to dismantle the structures of racism in both society and church.
Congregationalists were the first to ordain an African-American Pastor (1785), a woman (1853), an openly gay person (1972) and the first to affirm same-gender marriage equality (2005).
We believe faith requires tenderness and courage, a kind of big love committed to changing people’s lives, not just in our church community but in the world.
Our Faith is over two thousand years old. Our thinking is not.
Our Mission is to nurture love of God and love of neighbor in the world. We do this by reaching out to one another, our city’s at-risk populations, and those in need throughout the world.
Our Covenant is to connect with one another and open our hearts, minds and souls to the message of our Still Speaking God.
Our Welcome is emphatically open and affirming. Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey; you are welcome here.
Our Worship reflects our inclusive, united, and uniting church. Sing in our choir, read scripture for the service, play your instrument, share joys and concerns, or simply sit among us in prayer and celebration.
Our Community celebrates our diverse interests and gifts. Twenty-something? Reader? Armchair theologian? Poet? Stressed-out and need a retreat? If you have an affinity, we have a group for you.
Our Children are a precious gift. If you have a child, we have a place for them in our hearts, our worship service, and our Sunday School.
Our Doors are extra wide. And we are working to make them wider. In 2020, our Capital Campaign raised money and began renovating our building so it will be more accessible to all.
Members of our congregation come from a variety of faith backgrounds and experiences. We unite as a community around our mission, our covenant, and our commitment to faith and worship, prayer and spiritual practice, education and social action.
We look forward to your visit!