The Love of God, the Redeeming Power of Jesus, the Wisdom of the Spirit
holds, leads, walks with, and strengthens our community of faith.
SINCE 1703
Denominational Affiliation
The Colchester Federated Church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches. Both of these church bodies affirm the autonomy of the local congregation and respect the individual’s journey of faith.
The rainbow God is Still Speaking banner on the front of our church affirms that we listen for God’s word expressed in our time and place. As Rev. John Robinson told his flock of Pilgrims on the Mayflower (some of our faith ancestors), God has more light and truth yet to break forth from God's holy word!
United Church of Christ Mission
Purpose
Statement (from the Gospel of Matthew):
To love God with all our heart, mind,
soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.
Vision Statement:
United in Christ’s love, a just world
for all.
Mission statement:
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s
grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
UCC Statement of Faith
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify:
God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.
God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.
God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen.
Welcome to ABCUSA
ABCUSA Focus Statement
American Baptist Churches are missional congregations that nurture devoted disciples of Jesus Christ who live their lives in mission and ministry for the healing of the world through the love of God.
ABCUSA Mission Statement
American Baptists are a Christ-centered, biblically grounded, ethnically diverse people called to radical personal discipleship in Christ Jesus. Our commitment to Jesus propels us to nurture authentic relationships with one another; build healthy churches; transform our communities, our nations and our world; engage every member in hands-on ministry; and speak the prophetic word in love.
As a people of prayer, purpose, and passion, we are in the forefront of creating a community of faith where people of every race, nationality and culture gather as one in worship, service and work.
The heart of the gospel is God’s redemptive love. In our life together, the world will see the power of forgiveness to overcome alienation, the strength of love to transform hate, the power of grace to break the bonds of guilt, the triumph of hope over despair, and the victory of faith over doubt.
Through the cross of Christ we embrace the world as neighbor. Our vision for mission energizes a multitude of servant ministries of evangelism, discipleship, leadership, new church development, social justice, healing, peacemaking, economic development and education. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we work together in mutual submission, humility, love, and giving that the gospel might be preached and lived in all the world.
“Write the vision, make it plain…” Habakkuk 2:2
