Our Denominations
Two Traditions ~ One Mission
Williston-Immanuel United Church is an intentional merger of two, active congregations in Portland, Maine, one a United Church of Christ Church (UCC) and the other an American Baptist Church (ABC). This union illustrates a synergy in which the sum becomes greater than the addition of the separate parts. The new church is neither one nor the other, but both. Its merging has brought together the best of two historic, American denominations.
THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (UCC)
The United Church of Christ embraces a theological heritage that affirms the Bible as the authoritative witness to the Word of God, the creeds of the ecumenical councils, and the confessions of the Reformation. As a church rooted in the Congregational and Reformed traditions, we believe that faith can be expressed in many different ways, that there is no formula that is a test of faith. Through the centuries, however, Christians have shared their faith with one another through creeds, confessions, catechisms and other statements of faith. So we, along with Christians of all ages, stand in the streams of the historic statements as well as other testimonies of faith shaped and stated by our forebears.
THE AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCH (ABC/USA)
American Baptists are a Christ-centered, biblically grounded, ethnically diverse people called to radical personal discipleship in Christ Jesus. Commitment to Jesus propels a congregation to nurture authentic relationships with one another, build healthy churches, transform communities, nations and the world, engage every member in hands-on ministry, and speak the prophetic word in love.
As a people of prayer, purpose and passion, American Baptists are in the forefront of creating a diverse community of faith where people of every race, nationality and culture gather as one in worship, witness and work.
THE MISSION of WILLISTON-IMMANUEL UNITED CHURCH
We are a welcoming, inclusive Christian community that promotes faith, fellowship, social justice and love, compassionately reaching out to our broader community, celebrating our diversity, and affirming each individual's spiritual journey. (Adopted at an officially-called, congregational meeting for that purpose on September 16, 2018).