WHO WE ARE

United Covenant Church

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the things he planned for us long ago." Paul of Tarsus

WHO WE ARE

Our Denomination:

We are a congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church, which has it origins in Sweden. The Pietist movement that swept Europe trickled into Scandinavian countries in the 18th century and quickly spread among those hungry for a vital faith of the heart.

After the Swedish emigration
to the US in the mid-1860's, the Evangelical Covenant Church (commonly known as The Mission Friends) formed a new partnership united in a desire to impact the world with the goodness and love of God.

The Covenant is known for the saying "where is it written" (in the Bible) when discussing spiritual matters. And, "I am a friend of all who fear God," when working with others in the mission of Christ. (recognizing differing points of view on non-essential matters).

The Covenant Church in the 21st
century has become a highly diverse denomination healing divides
between all human beings. It is breaking barriers among ethnic communities, between men and women, rich and poor.

The denomination affirms both men and women leaders in ministry, in the church and in the world.

United Covenant Church origin:

The Covenant presence in this area of Fairfield County started in 1889 with a church in East Norwalk and a church in Georgetown. The original churches were founded by Swedish immigrants and services were conducted in Swedish.

Eventually the two churches integrated and became more diverse in ethnicity. They had a relationship of cooperation and friendly "rivalry."

There were times when both churches shared the same minister. And times of lively competitions between the two sunday schools.

In October of 1975, after much prayerful discussion, the decision was made to unite the two churches. Each church building and the East Norwalk parsonage was sold, and plans were begun for building a new church in Wilton.

The new church met in the library
while the new facility was being
built. The congregation moved to it's present location on 68 Westport Rd in Wilton following the construction of its present building.

Our Beliefs:

1. We affirm the Centrality of Scripture.

2. We affirm the necessity of the new birth.

3. We affirm a commitment to the whole mission of the Church, evangelism and acts of compassion and justice.

4. We affirm the Church as a fellowship of believers.

5. We affirm a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.

6. We affirm the reality of freedom in Christ.

A PDF file explaining these affirmations may be downloaded from

www.covchurch.org/resource/covenant-affirmations-booklet

http://blogs.covchurch.org/missionfriends/