First United Church of Tampa, United Church of Christ Back
![Ucc logo[1]](/system/images/275/regular/UCC logo[1].jpg?1293132193)
7308 E. Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33617
Visit website
813-988-4321
Progressive Christianity since 1885!
WHO ARE WE?
We are a people of compassion. We are ministers who embody the tangible love of a savior who fed the hungry, healed the hurting, and told us bluntly that what we did to the least we did to him.
We are a people of inclusion. This is a value Jesus held. Jesus came to include, not to exclude. All are welcome around God's table.
We are a people of liberation. We seek to challenge all oppression and discrimination. By embodying grace we live out our liberation until all are set free.
We are a people of hope. We are people filled with joy and unrelenting optimism because we believe God is good. With God, all things are possible. God can use us to transform the world.
We are a people of Jesus. Jesus was the incarnation of God's grace. Jesus was the ultimate liberal, who resisted the status quo of oppression and showed us the way to the abundant life God intends for all people.
We are a liberal Christian church. We willingly embrace such traditionally liberal values as helping and advocating for the poor, protecting the environment, and recognizing as sinful attitudes such as sexism, ageism, racism, homophobia, ableism, and religious discrimination.
We care for those who are hurting or in need. Caring for others is the soul of who we are. It keeps us from being consumed with ourselves. It is the antidote for the toxic effects of the materialism that is consuming our society. In a hurting and hopeless world, celebration is vital to health. People need to celebrate to keep hope alive.
We are empowered to minister to others. Everyone is gifted. The role of the clergy and staff is to equip people for ministry. Pastors minister, but they are not the ministers. All God's people are ministers. We are all producers, not just consumers, of faith.
WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?
Faith is a matter of heart and mind.
Taking the Bible seriously does not mean taking it literally.
God embraces all people equally.
Christ calls us to be nothing less than global citizens.
The social expression of love is justice.
Every generation is called to discover new faith traditions.
God continues to speak through the actions and words of persons today, just as in times of old.
Our liberal, open-minded Christian witness attracts members and friends from Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, and Manatee Counties. Our proximity to the University of South Florida makes access to our church very convenient for USF students seeking a progressive Christian environment.
OUR FOUR CORE VALUES:
We are an "OPEN AND AFFIRMING" church, welcoming all persons however they identify their sexual orientation or gender.
We are a "PEACE WITH JUSTICE" church, actively working for peace and justice in Tampa and beyond since 1885.
We are an "EARTH CHARTER" church, seeking to care for our planet by using the principles of the Earth Charter.
We are a "MULTIRACIAL AND MULTICULTURAL" church, welcoming people of all races and cultures.
