what we believe
OUR MISSION: TO HEAL & NURTURE GOD'S HOLY COMMUNITY THROUGH STUDY, WORSHIP, SPIRITUAL PRACTICE, AND OUTREACH.
still speaking God,
"We believe that Christ-centered living is formed by the ways people worship, study, and nurture each other.
We submit ourselves in prayer and worship to God and celebrate with grateful ears God's grace and forgiveness at work in the world.
We seek spiritual growth in our life through study.
We express the inclusive hospitality of Jesus Christ by welcoming all into fellowship.
We are called to serve others, advocating for those most in need as we strive to create a more just and peaceful world.
radical hospitality & generosity
Speaking with a strong voice, we advocate for issues like the Non-Discrimination Ordinance, homelessness, Native American support and accompaniment, food and social justice.
We reach out, cross lines, and stand firm against injustice.
We believe all are welcome to the table. We fight for diversity, family and community, we welcome the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, advocating and taking action.
sacred community
This is a church that believes community is a sacrament; a sacred thing, precious, worth investing in, caring for, fighting for, making space for, holding in sorrow and in joy and celebration.
We strive to create a place for community and spiritual life, rich with spiritual practices and worship, a place of connection and belonging, a broad space for community life and conduct, a place of healing and celebration, a place of personal and social transformation, a sanctuary.
living God
Our UCC denomination is curious and discerns, that questions and audits itself and how it perpetuates and interacts in a “just world for all”. It draws us into the world with a message of healing, transformation, wholeness and hope.
We believe that the Church is a gathered community of people seeking to respond to God's love, informed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit.
This particular community of faith known as First Congregational United Church of Christ has been organized to enable its members to discover God's will, receive and give support and to reach out in mission to the community and the world.
RECONCILIATION
We recognize that this church sits on the unceded, sacred homelands of Crow, N. Cheyenne, Lakota Nakota Sioux and Blackfeet people. This land is part of the Elk River watershed. We honor the people of this land and the many generations that came before us. We repent of the violence and genocide perpetuated against indigenous people everywhere in the name of the Church. May that lead us to right action and may that lead us to worship in humility, responsibility, and grace.
OPEN AND AFFIRMING
First Congregational United Church of Christ, also known as Billings First Church, is an Open and Affirming United Church of Christ (UCC) congregation in downtown Billings, Montana. Founded in 1882 as Billings' first church of any Christian denomination, the initial building was funded by Frederick Billings, for whom the city is named. First Congregational is the oldest church in the UCC's Montana–Northern Wyoming Conference and was historically known as the conference's unofficial "cathedral church."
A WISE Congregation for
Mental Health
Welcoming. Inclusive. Supportive. Engaged.
FOR ALL WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND THEIR LOVED ONES
We, the people of The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, of Billings, Montana, we are graced by the gifts, stories, and experiences of all our members, including those living with mental health challenges such as, but not limited to, stress, depression, anxiety, mental illnesses, brain disorders, addictions, and trauma. We understand that mental health challenges are something that we all experience at various times throughout our lives. We know these challenges can profoundly disturb our feelings, thoughts, and behavior. We acknowledge the stigma, trauma, and pain that can be associated with mental health challenges as well as validate that religious institutions and groups have caused and/or contributed to throughout history. We recognize that marginalized groups continue to struggle with mental health challenges at a higher rate and often receive less care. We care about the whole person: body, heart, mind, and soul. We understand that all people have unique health needs and mental health is fluid. We commit to becoming a congregation who isn’t afraid to speak about mental health challenges, care for ourselves, our staff, and our congregation, and our wider community with non-judgement and love.