An Open & Affirming UCC Congregation – An inclusive place for you!

The unity we seek as the Body of Christ requires neither an uncritical acceptance of any point of view nor a rigid formulation of doctrine.

We believe God is the creator of the universe and giver of all that is good. God is the savior—known boldly and intimately in Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection—who shows us how to live and love. God is the Spirit who enables us to make a difference in our world and in the lives of others. We believe that grace is the love, honesty, and compassion that God gives and shows us in Jesus. It’s how Jesus saves us, heals us, sets us free, and increases our capacity for love. We believe that we need each other.

Whether single, married/partnered, divorced or widowed, it’s a lot easier to follow God with friends than it is by ourselves. We believe in the priesthood of all believers: All members are called to minister to others and to participate as equals in the common worship of God.

"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.

Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."

-John 13:34

We confess that as individuals and as a congregation we have harmed LGBTQ+ people. We have inherited and perpetuated a culture that has done violence to those outside sexual and gender norms. We have chosen comfort over curiosity and surrendered God’s expectation of justice. As a church, we started on this journey two decades ago and we desire ongoing reconciliation.

We value and welcome a diverse congregation. Believing, as Genesis teaches, that each of us is created in God’s image, we welcome all of God’s creation into the ministries and sacraments of this church as we seek to grow together in a safe and nurturing community of faith.

We reaffirm our original open and affirming commitment of 2005 by:

· Challenging theologies, beliefs, and doctrines that oppress or exclude anyone of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression,

· Encouraging all people to participate fully in our community of faith,

· Designing church systems and structures as safe places that include every person in the full life of the church, and

· Boldly promoting justice and inclusion in the community.

Mia G. White was born in Warsaw, Virginia and she was raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She spent her adulthood residing in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mia completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from Cedar Crest College, one-year residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and certificate of Spiritual Direction from Moravian Theological Seminary, located in Bethlehem Pennsylvania.

In 2012, Mia received her certificate of ordination from the Penn Northeast Conference of the United Church of Christ. She served two congregations while in the Penn Northeast Conference. She is the mother of three adult children (Broc, Ebonee, and Sable) and two beautiful grandchildren (Wynter and Rae). Prior to Mia’s call into the ministry, she spent over twenty years working for the Department of Corrections.

In January 2021, Rev. Mia was called to the position of Senior Minister at First Congregational Church of St. Louis, UCC.

Hannah first served First Congregational Church as the Interim Minister of Faith Development for Children and Youth from 2012-2015, and then returned in August 2015 as the Minister of Administration and Membership.

Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Missouri with a BA in Communication and a minor in Religious Studies. She then spent three years in the Master of Divinity program at Eden Theological Seminary, graduating in 2012. She grew up in the United Methodist Church, but became a member of FCC in 2015. As a lover of music, Hannah has played in the FCC handbell choir and occasionally sings for worship. She has also sung with a local women's choir, Bel Canto, since its founding in 2010. Hannah loves her two kiddos, crafting, reading, binging TV shows, and hanging out with her pet rats.

Tim Clark joined the FCC staff team in January 2023. He cames from Church of The Master UCC in Florissant, where he served as Director of Music from August 2011-December 2022. Prior to that, he was a member of the choir and substitute organist at FCC under the direction of Ron Hall. Tim also serves as Organist for Holy Infant RC Church in Ballwin, MO and St. Martin of Tours in Lemay, MO. Tim is a very active musician in the St. Louis Theatre scene. He was Music Director for SPOLIGHT!, a Youth Musical Theatre Summer camp from 2017-2022, and can be seen frequenting the orchestra pits for many productions in the area. Tim has served as the Institutional Organ Specialist for Rodgers Organs and Steinway Pianos since 2020. Tim is also a teacher with the music/theatre departments at Crestview Middle and Nerinx HS. Tim currently serves as a board member for the United Church of Christ Musicians Association. Tim lives with his partner, Aiden, and cat, BoBeau, in Maryland Heights.

Joyce Haynes McCowan joined our staff team in March 2024. She has been married for twenty-seven years to Rev. Elston McCowan who pastored Star of Grace Missionary Baptist Church for sixteen years. Together they have nine beautiful children and fifteen grandchildren with one on the way. She is currently a member of First Congregational UCC Webster Groves and formerly a member of Star of Grace MBC, where she served as the Youth Pastor for ten years and the Choir Director for thirty years. She is a MDIV Graduate of Eden Theological Seminary and a BS undergraduate of the University of Missouri St. Louis concentrating in Sociology and a Minor in Theater. The hobbies Joyce enjoys most include a love for art, dressmaking, gardening, and music of all genres.

The United Church of Christ came into being in 1957 with the union of two Protestant denominations: the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. First Congregational Church of St. Louis was founded as an abolitionist church in 1852 under the leadership of Dr. Truman Marcellus Post. In 1969 the congregation voted to officially affiliate with the United Church of Christ (UCC). The UCC is a church of many "firsts." We took early stands against slavery and were the first denomination to ordain an African American, a woman, and an openly gay minister. The UCC has taken bold stances for civil rights and marriage equality. Today, the UCC extends an extravagant welcome to all of God's people.

In the United Church of Christ, each congregation is self-governing and self-supporting.

Members of each congregation covenant with one another and with God. These congregations, in turn, exist in covenantal relationships with one another to form the UCC. First Congregational Church is governed by a Council of 12-15 church members, which includes the Executive Team (moderator, vice-moderator, treasurer, and clerk), the chairs of each of our Ministry Teams, and members-at-large. Our Ministry Teams are Membership & Fellowship, Mission & Outreach, Stewardship & Administration, and Worship & Education. The members of our Council and Ministry Teams are voted on at our Annual Meeting by congregation members.