I give to First Church because it’s the one truly safe, warm, and peaceful place I can escape to amid the myriad storms that come with existing in Washington, DC in 2024. I didn’t grow up in a church, but when I was thinking about maybe, possibly exploring what faith communities DC had to offer, I knew I wanted to start with the UCC, and after visiting First Church, I knew I didn’t need to look elsewhere; I had found the place where I felt spiritually at home.
My first encounter with the United Church of Christ was by word of mouth, when a church in San Francisco welcomed with open arms my uncle and his husband- both former ministers elsewhere who had been asked to leave their respective church communities when they came out. In a world where the words of Jesus and the message of God can and often do get used to spread hate and to condemn, First Church represents all that I had always hoped Christianity could be: welcoming, joyful, inspiring, and kind, just as my uncles had experienced.
Our slogan is: “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” My faith journey (to say nothing of my life’s journey) is far from linear, and though I often find myself struggling with the role of God in my life, I know that I am welcomed without qualification at First Church. And while the value of that is incalculable, I’m grateful to be able to give my time and annual pledge to ensure that this community can continue to exist and to welcome anyone who is lucky enough to walk through our doors.
– Erin Williams