Who We Are and What We Do

The Central Pacific Conference is the intentional creation of covenanted Christians under God’s guidance demonstrated by Christian commitment, openness, theological growth, steadfast hope for the future and the welcoming of all people.

The CPC is called by God to encourage and empower its people and congregations to:

• Experience and share the varied gifts of God’s love,
• Hear and proclaim the Good News of Jesus the Christ,
• Celebrate and enhance congregational vision and vitality, and
• Demonstrate and promote God’s peace and justice.

The Central Pacific Conference ministers to and provides ministry resources for:

• Local church lay and clergy leadership
• Christian education programs and teachers
• Local church program directors
• Children, youth and families
• All people concerned about peace and justice in the world

What Does the UCC Logo Symbolize?

The symbol of the United Church of Christ comprises a crown, cross and orb enclosed within a double oval bearing the name of the church and the prayer of Jesus, "That they may all be one" (John 17:21). It is based on an ancient Christian symbol called the "Cross of Victory" or the "Cross Triumphant." The crown symbolizes the sovereignty of Christ. The cross recalls the suffering of Christ—his arms outstretched on the wood of the cross—for the salvation of humanity. The orb, divided into three parts, reminds us of Jesus' command to be his "witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The verse from Scripture reflects our historic commitment to the restoration of unity among the separated churches of Jesus Christ.

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The UCC Statement of Faith

Adapted by Robert V. Moss

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify:

God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.

God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.

God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God.

Amen.

The original (traditional) version of the UCC Statement of Faith was adopted in 1959 by General Synod and is widely regarded as one of the most significant Christian faith testimonies of the 20th century. Other versions of the Statement of Faith, including in Spanish, can be found on the UCC website (click here).

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A Brief History of the CPC

The deep roots of our Conference extend all the way back to 1836 when pioneers ventured west in wagons over the Oregon Trail in search of land and new opportunities. In 1842, the first Congregational church was planted at Tualatin Plains. As the migration continued, churches were planted wherever communities sprang up. The Reformed Church began organizing in 1867, followed by the Evangelical Church in the 1890s. During the final decade of the 1800’s, one Evangelical and six Reformed congregations joined the Congregational Conference of Oregon. By 1905, the Congregationalists had established 58 churches in Oregon and 25 in Idaho.

In 1963, the Oregon Conference of the United Church of Christ was created out of the two jurisdictions of the previous denominations. In 1974, our present Central Pacific Conference was formed when churches of the Idaho Association of the Intermountain Conference joined the Oregon Conference. Two years later, the congregations in Vancouver and White Salmon Washington joined the CPC.

Over the years, the geographic boundaries have changed with the number of member churches also changing as new churches were founded, or existing ones either disbanded or withdrew from the United Church of Christ. Today, we are 47 congregations, with approximately 7,600 members.

As our denomination and Conference have evolved over the years, the Conference’s organizational structure has also changed, embracing and adjusting to the configuration of our national body.

Just as we started, and throughout the years since, we continue to pioneer in many areas of church life and missions. In 1993, the Annual Assembly voted to become Open and Affirming (ONA) and encouraged all congregations to engage in a process leading to a decision on ONA. As of this writing, 62% our 47 churches are listed as ONA congregations.

A vital element in our journey has been our excellent outdoor ministries offered at our two campsites, Camp Adams in Molalla, Oregon, and Pilgrim Cove in McCall, Idaho. The programs offered at these camps have nurtured and enriched the spiritual development of hundreds of children, youth and adults for many years.

More than one and a half centuries have passed, and we are still pioneers here in the Central Pacific Conference. Because we listen for the directive voice of the Still Speaking God, we remain a people on the move, often through uncharted territories, and always with our eyes on the horizon of God’s promised New Day.

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© 2008 Central Pacific Conference United Church of Christ.
This site last updated: July 07, 2008.