The Christian Story, as revealed by the Spirit through the Christian Scriptures, is the underpinning foundation of our faith, which offers us – and all of life – value, meaning and hope.
We believe that Jesus’ example calls us to be an inclusive community which welcomes and values all, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation or ability. We recognise that we often unintentionally exclude people, and while we are far from perfect, we aspire and work to be inclusive.
As a Christian community, we affirm people of all faiths and none, and listen for the wisdom of God in many voices.
As a community we represent a diverse range of opinions, theologies and experiences which we hold together in community – allowing space for faith and doubt, hope and fear, confidence and questions. We are also committed to developing healthy relationships and so have considered and set out how we aspire to relate to each other in our Ways of Engaging.
We believe that the divisions within the worldwide Christian Church are a scandal and actively work to promote ecumenism.
As a diverse community we believe we are called to be a body, where each member has an evolving and valuable role to play.
We believe that our faith is manifest in our lives and actions, so individually and as a faith community, we actively work to promote justice and well being, locally and globally.
Progressive Christian Community
AUC understands itself as a Progressive Christian Community and is a member of the Progressive Christian Network. Progressive Christianity does not hold to a fixed statement but as Christian who…
- Have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus;
- Recognise the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the gateway to God’s realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us;
- Understand the sharing of bread and wine in Jesus’ name to be a representation of an ancient vision of God’s feast for all peoples;
- Invite all people to participate in our community and worship life without insisting that they become like us in order to be acceptable (including but not limited to):
- believers and agnostics
- conventional Christians and questioning sceptics
- women and men
- those of all sexual orientations and gender identities
- those of all races and cultures
- those of all classes and abilities
- those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope;
- Know that the way we behave toward one another and toward other people is the fullest expression of what we believe;
- Find more grace in the search for understanding than we do in dogmatic certainty, more value in questioning than in absolutes;
- Form ourselves into communities dedicated to equipping one another for the work we feel called to do: striving for peace and justice among all people; protecting and restoring the integrity of all God’s creation; and bringing hope to those Jesus called the least of his sisters and brothers;
- Recognise that being followers of Jesus is costly, and entails selfless love, conscientious resistance to evil, and renunciation of privilege.
Statement of the Nature, Faith & Order of the URC
For more about the URC and the History of the URC please click the links. The Statement above can also be accessed as a booklet.