We’re a progressive and inclusive church serving Hamburg, the Southtowns, and beyond. Have you been hurt by religion in the past? Haven't been to church in many years? Don't like going to church? Are you skeptical? As a congregation of the United Church of Christ, we celebrate our diversity! We are proud of being a church that is radically inclusive, extravagantly welcoming, and evangelically cour
ageous. Together, we are:
• Young and old
• LGBT and straight
• Many cultures and abilities
• People who grew up in the UCC and people who are new to it
WHAT WE BELIEVE:
• We believe that faith is a matter of heart and mind.
• We believe that taking the Bible seriously does not mean taking it literally.
• We believe that God embraces all people equally.
• We believe that we are called to be nothing less than global citizens.
• We believe that the social expression of love is justice.
• We believe that every generation is called to discover new faith traditions.
• We believe that God continues to speak through the actions and words of people today, just as in times of old. WHO WE ARE:
St. James UCC is a vibrant community of faith in the heart of Hamburg, a friendly suburb on the south side of Buffalo, New York. We are a supportive, welcoming, and loving church. Drawn together by the Holy Spirit, we are a diverse community of Christians that come together as one church, joining faith and action. In covenant with the church, we serve God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world as made manifest in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are a Just Peace congregation of the United Church of Christ. We promote peace with justice (a just peace) as an expression of God's love. We support peaceful opposition to intolerance, injustice, discrimination, and war, and we seek the ways of justice and peace in order to make a difference in our lives and the lives of all who experience injustice and violence. We are an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. We covenant to welcome and celebrate people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Likewise, we welcome and celebrate people of every faith experience, race, ethnicity, culture, ability, age, background, viewpoint, and life experience. If you struggle with addiction, are recovering from trauma, or have ever felt the pain of exclusion, you are embraced here. OUR HISTORY:
St. James UCC was founded in 1853 as St. Jacob's German Evangelical Church. As the congregation grew, a new building was built and dedicated in 1925 as Saint James Congregational Church. In 1957, the Evangelical and Reformed Church joined with the Congregational and Christian Churches to form the United Church of Christ. Although we are respectful of our traditions, we are open to and excited about new possibilities! No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here.
