Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does a merged church look like? We are a motley crew at the Union Church! For all our differences, it is our faith in Christ that brings us and holds us together. To share the love and gift of Jesus with the world is our mission.

For information specific to each of our denominations, you may wish to consult the UCC "God is Still Speaking: What We Believe" page, and the PC(USA) "Who We Are" page.

Worship Style

Worship services at the Union Church are blended, combining both the traditional and contemporary. We sing a variety of hymns, some from the Presbyterian and UCC hymnals, and some from other sources. The order of service generally follows a set pattern, but responsorials change each week to reflect the lectionary focus. The word "rote" is not in our vocabulary!

Responses and the words to hymns are projected on two overhead screens, and hearing devices are available for anyone who needs them.

For an example of our Order of Service, please refer to our weekly bulletin.

Communion

Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month as well as several times throughout the year on special occasions such as Ash Wednesday and Christmas Eve. All baptized believers are welcome to participate in this sacrament regardless of church affiliation.

Baptism

Many parents choose to baptize their children as infants, but a person can be baptized at any age. The choice rests with the individual.

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is sacred scripture and is just as relevant for us today. Scripture holds authority for the life and mission of the church. It is the foundation of our faith and practice. While we may not all agree on the interpretation of that scripture, we do agree that each of us should take the opportunity to read and hear the scripture as God's living Word for us. We take seriously the process of discerning God's Word to us from scripture through prayer and study.

Church Governance

Our church is governed by our Council/Session, a blend of the governing bodies of our two parent congregations. The United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA) are compatible in many ways, but in the event of a discrepancy in rules, we usually go with the stricter of the two.

St. John's Westminster Union Church
1085 Neeb Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45233
(513) 347-4613