How do we put faith into action? At Umstead Park UCC we are guided by our Covenant, in particular the section about our commitment to the wider world:
- With our steps toward a mutual relationship with the wider world, we will:
- Share freely of our wealth and resources;
- Recognize our identity as global citizens, intimately tied to and partnered with all of God’s children in every land;
- Demonstrate our concern for neighbor through service and prophetic voice;
- Claim our inescapable connection with the sacred earth and all of creation;
- Live justice as the social expression of love, and peace as the present manifestation of the world to come.
Every day we put faith into action through use of our (LEED certified) building, as offices, storage, rehearsal, and performance space for the Justice Theater Project, and as meeting space for organizations like Healing Transitions and other service and social justice groups.
We have worked with the Impact Global Health Alliance (formerly Curamericas Global) to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Guatemala and other parts of the world. We’ve worked with non-partisan advocacy organizations, like the Poor People’s Campaign and Common Cause, to ensure that we put our faith into action that supports our values and increases voter turnout.
Our Creativity Group meets regularly to craft beautiful greeting cards which are offered for donation and all proceeds fund various charitable needs.
Our Youth Group participates in service learning opportunities, including a trip to western NC to help with Hurricane Helene recovery.
Our History:
When UPUCC first came into existence in 1999 (then called North Raleigh UCC), we rented space in a middle school, later in a YMCA and did not have a building. As a UCC-subsidized new church start, we committed 51% of weekly donations to Faith in Action. Through the years, as the church grew and became self-sufficient, we decided to purchase a building, in partnership with an architectural firm as co-tenants. Staying true to our covenant, the building qualified for LEED gold certification and we immediately looked for ways to apply this significant investment to Faith in Action. Our building is now in use 24/7 for Faith in Action.
