urbandale united church of christ
3530 70th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322 | phone 515.276.0625
fax 515.276.2451 | e-mail: staff@urbucc.org

who are we? | brief history | mission statement | bylaws | staff |
ministry team structure | 2007-08 team rosters |
membership and membership classes |
open and affirming | just peace

who are we?

Our church is a part of a blend of four major Protestant denominations that united together in 1957 to form the United Church of Christ. We claim the early Pilgrim and Puritan settlers of this country as part of our heritage, and embrace the thought of Pastor John Robinson who in his farewell remarks to the Pilgrims as they were leaving for the "new world" said:

"There is still more light and truth to break forth from God's holy word."

It is that pioneering spirit that calls us to continue "Moving Forward in Faith." It is that same spirit that calls us to covenant together to be "a community which remains open to the challenges of the Christian faith." GOD IS STILL SPEAKING, As such:

We welcome into this community of faith, and affirm the participation in all aspects of church life, persons of every age, race, gender, nationality, ability, and sexual orientation. We will continue our efforts toward inclusiveness, and stand against all forms of discrimination. We will empower ourselves, our children, and one another to be fully present in the world, living in Christ's image and striving for justice and peace.

We welcome you into the full life and participation of this lively congregation. If our church staff can be of assistance to you in any way, please feel free to call upon them.

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brief history

Urbandale United Church of Christ celebrates its 85th Anniversary in 2006, making it the oldest church in Urbandale. It began as the Urbandale Community Church in 1921, and joined the Iowa Conference of Congregational Churches in 1944. In 1958, the congregation adopted a resolution to affiliate with the movement combining the Congregational and the Evangelical Reformed churches. This movement ultimately resulted in the creation of the United Church of Christ, and in 1965, the church became the Urbandale United Church of Christ.

Throughout the years, the congregation has been involved in efforts that reached beyond the local church, supporting missionary activities and needs in Southern Rhodesia, Algeria, Ghana, Japan, and other places around the country and world. Among other activities, the congregation helped settle refugee families from Cuba and Vietnam, supported youth mission trips to Indian reservations, and focused education and action on social issues as they arose, including racial justice, hunger, battered women, inclusion of gays and lesbians, AIDS, the homeless, and peace. In 1989, the congregation voted to become a Just Peace church. In 1990, the congregation began a formal study of becoming an open and affirming church; members voted to become open and affirming in May 1993. Following the completion of a new sanctuary in 1995 and renovation of other spaces, the church—including the chancel—is wheelchair accessible.

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membership

Church membership comes from all over the Des Moines metro area and beyond. Membership classes are held several times a year.

Class Topics

• Session 1: Our Journeys to this Place (Getting to know each other)
• Session 2: The Journey of the United Church of Christ (A little of the history, beliefs, structure, and practices of the UCC)
• Session 3: The Journey of Urbandale United Church of Christ (A little of the history, witness, structure, and practices of this congregation)
• Session 4: Joining Each Other on the Journey (Any final questions from participants and other wrap-up material)

FAQ about Membership Classes

Will there be food? Yup-and we promise, no microwave popcorn! We serve a light brunch.

Can I attend if I did not sign up? Yup, but it helps us to plan for food if you do sign up. If we need to, we will find some loaves and fish and pray. Hey-it worked once before for a group of 5,000!

Do I have to attend ALL the sessions in order to join? Nope. The classes are designed to help you get to know a small group of folk and to share a bit of information with you. You can actually join without attending any classes, but we think you will feel a stronger connection with us if you do. If you miss a particular session, you can always catch it in the next offerings.

If I attend all the classes, is it still ok for me not to join right away? Yup. It's your journey and it might not be the right time for you to join. Even if you do not join, you can still call this your church home, if you want. Membership does bring a few extra privileges and responsibilities, but those are discussed in the sessions.

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