Monday,
November 4, 2013
Contact:
Natalie
Blackburn, Moderator, 421-1376
Sue
Robinson, Vice-Moderator, 429-1597
Dave Grishaw-Jones, Senior Minister,
426-2010,
dgj@fccsantacruz.org
PEACE
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST:
HISTORIC CHURCH CHOOSES
NEW NAME
 |
| Graphic by Sue Robinson |
First gathered in
1857, First Congregational Church in Santa Cruz is understandably proud of its
156-year-history. Early on, members and
ministers took a visible and vigorous position in support of abolitionists in
the south and east. In the late nineteenth
century, the church initiated a ministry to Chinese immigrants in Santa Cruz,
creating a spirit of neighborliness that in many ways continues to this day. More recently, the congregation has very
publically and now legally celebrated gay and lesbian marriages in its
stunningly beautiful sanctuary. Among
its members, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender leaders play key roles as
teachers, leaders and preachers. In the
twenty-first century, the church has embraced a lively legacy of openness and
compassion: hosting a homeless shelter; extending ministries of support and
communion in local jails; and traveling with Jewish and Sufi friends on
peacemaking missions to the Middle East.
Its westside campus is an inspired center for religious groups,
nonprofits and the arts.
Now, after 156
years of service on the central coast, First Congregational Church is taking a
new name. In a stunning gathering on
Sunday, November 3, one hundred thirty-one members voted to change the name of
their bold, beloved congregation to PEACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. Already plans are in the works for a spring
celebration: including concerts, art exhibits and new opportunities for service
locally and peacemaking abroad.
 |
| Moderator Natalie Blackburn |
Presiding at
Sunday’s historic meeting, Moderator Natalie Blackburn enthusiastically
reported results of the vote: 108 in favor, 22 against and 1 abstaining. “ ‘Peace United
Church of Christ’ better defines who we are,” Blackburn said. “We are a
community seeking solace and hope in a broken world. We are an open-minded congregation who value
justice and peaceful solutions.”
Blackburn thanked all who participated for their thoughtfulness: over
months of discussion and debate, members and friends spoke frankly and openly
of their hopes, fears and differences.
As the congregation celebrated its new name Sunday, Blackburn smiled
broadly: “I guess the process was a good one!”
 |
| Jimi Valiente-Neighbours |
Blackburn and others believe PEACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST will
reflect the dynamic and progressive values of their historic congregation. There’s an important place in Santa Cruz,
they say, for Christians who resist fundamentalism and read the bible
generously and inclusively. Jimi
Valiente-Neighbours is a PhD student at UCSC and an outspoken supporter of the
new name. “This name can help tell
people that we offer a lively sanctuary,” she said, “where we cultivate peace
in creative ways. The name proclaims:
yes, we pray and speak out against wars; and also, yes, we pray and meditate to
help peace flourish within us.” Like so
many others, Valiente-Neighbours expects to tell friends a compelling
story—about a church determined to make a difference. “ ‘Peace United Church of Christ’ describes
how we are a church,” she said, “that courageously says and practices a
resounding YES to the peace of God!”
 |
| Dave Grishaw-Jones with Imam Tahir Anwar of San Jose |
The journey from First Congregational Church to Peace United Church of
Christ was a long one, beginning in June of 2012. Through a series of congregational retreats
and study groups, members reflected on the church’s bold tradition of social
action and mission. And they wondered
aloud about the values that now motivate their ministry and life together. “We never intended to leave First
Congregational Church behind,” said Senior Minister Dave Grishaw-Jones. “But we were determined, from the beginning,
to celebrate the church’s legacy and make it sing for a whole new generation of
seekers and Santa Cruzans.”
Grishaw-Jones said the congregation expected a grand series of events
and celebrations in the spring, as the church ‘rolls out’ its new name and
celebrates their historic decision. One
such event, he said, will be a “Concert for Peace”—a fundraiser in the church’s
magnificent sanctuary to benefit nonprofits locally and around the world doing
important work to reduce violence and make peace possible. “We are blessed,” he said, “with artists and musicians
who understand the power of their craft; and they can’t wait to show us what
Peace United Church of Christ can do.”
The new name also makes clear the congregation’s 56-year-membership in
the United Church of Christ, formed in 1957 by two smaller denominations
committed to unity and reconciliation in the splintered world of American
Protestantism. Since 1957, the United
Church of Christ has blazed a progressive trail for its membership: acting
boldly for peace, working tirelessly for justice, opening the doors of its
churches to all of God’s children.
Longtime member Sue Robinson said that history strongly affected her
vote on Sunday.
“Although we've been part of the United Church of Christ since 1957,”
Robinson said, “we've only now taken the historic step of changing our name to
Peace United Church of Christ. This name change eliminates any confusion
with our previous two names that belonged to two different church denominations
with different values and points of view -- one being fairly conservative and
the other fairly liberal. Although we're proud of our church history that
goes back to its beginnings in Santa Cruz in 1857, our new name finally
acknowledges that we are a United Church of Christ -- Peace United Church of
Christ -- a church that welcomes all.”
More than anything else, Senior Minister Dave Grishaw-Jones sees
Sunday’s vote as a victory for lay leaders and an exciting commitment to the
future. “This congregation has always
stepped out in faith,” he said. “They
did it in the 19th century.
They did it again in the 20th, leaving their downtown
location and building a gorgeous campus closer to the university.” Grishaw-Jones acknowledges that Blackburn,
Valiente-Neighbours and Robinson could have taken an easier route. “These leaders could easily have done
nothing. The old name was serviceable. But they’ve taken an extraordinary risk
together. They’ve made an extraordinary
commitment to one another.” The new
name, he said, is just a beginning. “Now
we move forward. Now we hold one another
accountable to a new name, a new identity, to the Christian values of
compassion, peace and nonviolence. Peace
United Church of Christ is going to work us and work us good. And that’s just the way we want it.”
