MISSION / BELIEFS
First Congregational Church of Stamford (United Church of Christ), is an inclusive Christian community dedicated to following and sharing the teachings of Jesus Christ, encouraging spiritual growth through worship, education, and outreach. We welcome and celebrate individual interpretation of our faith in covenant with God.
Who we Are
We are a community of the followers of the Way. We believe that God created a world full of diverse living creatures to be loved. God created the LGBTQIA+ and the straight, the non-binary, the man and the woman…everyone! We are a congregation that practices kindness as a virtue of God’s love—loving and caring for our neighbors with dignity and respect. Our faith in God requires us to fight for justice for all living creatures. We resist what is evil and cling to what is good for humanity, nature, and the earth
-
Our Vision StatementWe aspire to be a community drawn together by God and inspired by Christ’s courage, that: Lives by faith, Practices radical compassion, Affirms all God’s children, Embraces transformation of ourselves, our church, and the broader community, and Nurtures spiritual growth in ways that speak to a changing world.
-
Our Declaration of FaithWe believe in the one living and true God, perfect in power, wisdom, and love, revealed to us as our Creator by Jesus Christ, God’s Son. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who in his life, suffering, death, and resurrection manifested God’s love for all, and showed the way of redemption through the repentance for and the forgiveness of sin. We believe in the continuous presence and leadership of the Spirit of God in the Church and in the world. We accept the Bible as the supreme revelation of God’s nature and will for us, and as a source of our knowledge of Jesus Christ, the foundation of our faith. We grant to one another liberty of individual interpretation of the deep mysteries and teachings of the Bible and the Church, only requiring that, as members of this church each shall strive to live in the spirit and according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. We believe in the essential unity of Christendom, and we labor for the fuller realization of the kinship of all people in the worldwide Dominion of God. We affirm that Christ is our Savior, and rejoice that we are all one family.
-
Our Open and Affirming StatementNo matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
-
Open & Affirming since 2007The giant rainbow banner affixed to our bell tower recognizes the universal love of God (Genesis 9:13) An extravagant love that stands as witness against hatred, exclusion, prejudice, and oppression of every kind. We believe in extravagant welcome. This is why we insist that God’s communion table is open, not closed, and God’s gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregations extend hospitality as a sign of God’s inclusive love. We teach that evangelism — offering bread to those in search of it — is God’s mission. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with — not against — people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking
-
Never place a period where God has placed a comma,We believe the church’s mission is to change lives — individually, systemically and globally. We work to make transformation possible, but trust in God’s grace. This is why we insist that churches must be places of vitality in worship, learning and advocacy. We are committed to working for justice, and we believe that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships. Why? Because God is still speaking, At FCC Stamford, we seek to live out the call of Jesus to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind . . . (and) love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). In our Declaration of Faith, we proclaim that as a community of faith, we work together “for the fuller realization of the kinship of all people . . . and rejoice that we are all one family.”
-
Our faith is 2,000 years old. Our thinking is not.We believe in God’s continuing testament. This is why we are committed to hearing God’s ancient story anew and afresh in our lives and in the world today. We try to remain attentive to God’s creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and your head and heart are both welcomed into our places of worship. We prepare our members and leaders to be engaged in ministry in the present and future church, and we embrace all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking. Why? Because God is still speaking.
-
First Congregational Church of Stamford (United Church of Christ)Is in discernment and transition after a period of changes. Guided by these principles, as a congregation we voted in 2007 to demonstrate our commitment to loving our neighbors and to rejoicing in all people as the family of God by declaring ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation. By God’s grace, we seek to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences such as but not limited to sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, gender, age, and mental and physical ability, as well as racial, ethnic, or social-economic circumstances or background. We welcome all people, no matter who they are, no matter where they are on life’s journey, to share in the life and leadership, ministry and fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, and blessings of participation in our congregation. Almost 400 years old, we are among the oldest gathered churches in the U.S. and founder of the city of Stamford. Our history informs who we are today. We are passionate about helping people to experience the love and peace of God in every aspect of their lives. The generations of our congregation have endured the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars, and those wars of our modern era, and have continued to be strong through the Great Depression and other economic crises. As a congregation, we have inherited a legacy of resiliency, courage, conviction, and grace. It is no accident that this church has inhabited 6 different church buildings over the generations. We are a community capable of change in a changing world. Our faith is grounded in what God has done for the world through Jesus Christ. As part of the United Church of Christ, we value social justice as a primary part of our faith formation. As a Congregational Church, we value the autonomy of each congregation and each believer. In this era of paradigm shifts and changing cultural mores, when the mainline church is suffering diminution, we seek to be relevant and meaningful for our own generation as we carry the timeless message of the Gospel. We pray to co-create with God the next period of vital ministry and service to the world. We aim to work for justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Love is our core value.
Meet the Staff
Néstor Gómez
Lead Director / Pastor
Rev. Néstor G. (any pronouns) is a lover of coffee, road trips, salsa dance, and books, and is passionate about creating engagement between faith communities and organizations for the liberation of all beings. Bringing almost 12 years of experience within the church sector in the areas of social justice, community development, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, Néstor believes that is needed to establish a spiritual defiance to build a beloved community.
Néstor's personal experience living in the U.S. as a Latino, man, Colombiano, has sharpened his life focusing on the intersection of spirituality and race. Currently, Néstor is the lead director/pastor of First Congregational Church in Stamford, CT.
Email: nestor@fccstamford.org
Benjamin Geeding
Director of Faith Formation and Connections
Benjamin comes to us from the queer community. Initially trained as a vocalist (BA, Music, Olivet Nazarene University), Benjamin has enjoyed a wide range of ministerial experiences: traveling with a singing ministry group across various US states, serving as a theology and philosophy adjunct professor for non-major undergraduates, serving as a youth and young adult pastor at a local congregation.
Benjamin is pursuing his PhD in Religion (Process Studies) at Claremont School of Theology. He holds three Master’s degrees. Two from Yale Divinity School, the MDiv and the Master of Arts in Religion degree (Philosophical Theology/Philosophy of Religion), where he also completed the Andover Newton Diploma. He holds a Master of Arts degree (Christian Thought) from Olivet Nazarene University.
Benjamin's contact info:
Email address: benjamin.geeding@fccstamford.org
Cell phone: (815) 592-5548
Tracey Marble
Music Director
In addition to being the Music Director at FCC, I am a vocalist, a songwriter, a musician, a performer, an actor, and a teacher. I am an active, deep listener. I study voices—mine and others'. I practice singing and song making. I write words. Sometimes they are reflections. Sometimes they are lyrics. Sometimes they are poetry. I build community and facilitate Divine connection through music and song.
I use knitting as a meditation and sometimes I make things that are useful. I look for the moon. I make and listen to sound as I mindfully walk with my dog every day. I cultivate art in my garden.
Sometimes the art is edible. I gather people together and make food for them. I use digital technology to record and tell stories in song, word and sometimes moving or still pictures. I help others to find their true voice so they can tell their stories, too. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister. I am a nurturer. I am a curious dabbler. I wander with wonder.
Kassandra Clement
Office Administrator
Kassandra brings her vibrant personality and passion for community to her role as Church Office Administrator at FCC. With her love for people and knack for organization, she's eager to foster a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Outside of work, you'll often find her immersed in social activities, planning events with friends and family, exploring new travel destinations, and whipping up delicious treats from her latest baking adventures. Her enthusiasm for building connections and creating memorable experiences extends seamlessly from her personal life into her professional endeavors, making her a valuable asset to the FCC community.
Spiritual
The Spiritual Care Team consists of lay leaders who are here to journey alongside you throughout life's many paths, are trained to hold space, and are here to be present alongside you.
JUST AS YOU ARE!
Connections
The Connections Team consists of lay leaders who organize events in the church, opportunities to partner with our community, and who are here to show you that you are loved,
JUST AS YOU ARE!