Amid the skyscrapers and towering glass buildings that is now downtown Bellevue stands the Cross, the beacon, that marks in the sky, the home of my new church - The Belleuve First Congregational Church (BFCC).
God found me about 5 years ago but he arrived alone, he brought no church with him and at the time that was fine. We did okay together - just him & I but over time I began to feel like a homeless nomad wandering, lost and without guidance or community. And so, I began searching for a church that I felt I could commit to, worship in, be a part of and learn from. For almost a year and half I searched and investigatied different religions and churches - I then found BFCC.
When I discovered them, quite by accident, on the internet and read their statement of Faith - I irrevocably knew that I had found a permanent home with God ...
Above
all else, Jesus taught us to be humble and compassionate. He taught us
to care about those marginalized by society, and to give everyone a
chance at hope and a purposeful life. He taught us the importance of
taking a stand against injustice and abuse of power, even if it
involves great sacrifice.
So when some churches claim their theology to be the one and only
true path to heaven, and that those who do not share this self-centered
interpretation of Christianity will burn in hell for eternity, we
respectfully disagree. Christ did not cast people out of the church for
their beliefs; he introduced new ways of thinking about the Old
Testament through parables and metaphors, and reached out to the
outcast. Even now, the true strength of Christianity is our ability to
respect one another across denominations and discuss a purposeful,
meaningful life from a variety of life’s perspectives. You don’t have
to leave your brain at the door to be a Christian. It can actually be
enlightening.
Consequently, our church is a proud member of the United Church of Christ (UCC), which has a history of taking important stands on social justice issues. We have a mission
of doing exactly that in the Bellevue area, taking a lead to address
problems ranging from homelessness to lack of food for low-income
people. We live our faith to serve others.
Part of that faith means leaving the world a little better than you found it. This, in essence, is our stewardship perspective, covering not just financial giving but the contributions of time and talents to make a difference in the world.
Finally, we extend an open welcome to anyone who wants to be part of
our community, not just anyone who shares the same beliefs. Our
commitment to diversity,
in all its forms, means that many of our members have come from other
churches and denominations where they have felt unwelcome. Like the
Pilgrims who escaped persecution and prejudice to form the first
congregational churches in the new world, we understand. We’re a
congregational church too. (http://www.fccbellevue.org)
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I life my soul unto thee.
~ Psalm 143:8 ~