What We Believe
As individual members of the church, we are free to believe and act in accordance with our perception of God’s will for our lives. We are also called to live in loving covenantal relationship with one another – gathering in communities of faith, congregations of believers, and local churches. We invite you to worship and explore your faith with us in an environment open to questions and supported by our rich Christian heritage.
Welcome!
No matter who you are or where are on life’s journey, you will be greeted with an extravagant welcome at Mission Hills UCC! We are an Open and Affirming church where all are invited to discover God’s love regardless of race, socioeconomic class, gender, gender identity, physical ability, or sexual orientation.
MHUCC: Proud to be an Open and Affirming Church since 2006
Mission Hills United Church of Christ (the Church) acknowledges Jesus Christ, son of God, as its head, and looks to the Holy Scriptures – interpreted by the Holy Spirit through reason, faith, and conscience – for guidance in matters of faith and discipline.
We are a church without dogma, where people are free to explore and deepen their faith in an environment open to questioning, within the richness of our strong Christian heritage. The United Church of Christ Statement of Faith and guiding principles proclaim our beliefs in uniting people from all ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds, and in actively promoting social justice and better living standards in our communities and around the world.
In addition to worship and fellowship, we are a mission-oriented congregation. Our hope is to leave the world a better place than when we arrived. Feeding America, El Nido shelter for abused women and children, Esperanza building projects in Tijuana, Special Delivery food service for those living with HIV/AIDS and cancer are just a few of the ongoing mission outreach efforts. We believe it is important to say what we believe and also to live it through our actions.
We are an “Open and Affirming” congregation which means we welcome everyone seeking a spiritual home with a special outreach to LGBT persons. You will find that ours is a safe place to learn, to question, and to grow. As an ONA congregation, we insist that LGBT people are equal with all others and are full participants in the work and worshipping life of the church.
We are a multi-generational, multi-racial, multi-cultural congregation. Our pews are filled with a diverse group each espousing varying theological and ideological perspectives. In addition, ours is a child-friendly congregation. Children are not only welcome here but are encouraged to participate in the worship and educational aspects of our community life, including a children’s message specifically designed for them.
We hope you will join us as we journey together seeking wholeness and spiritual fulfillment.
Guiding Principles
How We Are Governed
Witness
“Witness” means to walk our talk–to embody the love that God has for each one of us in word and deed. Whether we greet you in worship or in the grocery store, we hope to be a beacon of light and hope in a hurting world. Join us as we seek a deeper understanding of God. God is still speaking today.
Spirit
God’s Spirit opens our hearts and minds as we study the Scriptures, listen to the experiences of one another, and seek spiritual guidance. Whether we spend time in centering prayer or serving food in a soup kitchen, Spirit constantly reveals a deeper understanding of Truth. If you think that you number among those who are “spiritual but not religious” you will find our church to be a very comfortable spiritual home.
Service
Jesus said, “When you served those often ignored, you served me.” Jesus called us to serve people who are homeless, distraught, even living in the shadows. We offer ample opportunities to make a difference in our city and world by engaging in a life of service motivated by the love of God.