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You are Invited
Sunday Worship ...... 11:00 a.m
Outreach
Contributions to Local and World Missions
Non-perishable Food Bank
Use of Church Facility for Mission Groups
Youth Activities
Volunteer Services for Fire House Shelter
AIM ( Aid to Inmate Mothers) Program
Agape House (AIDS Program)
Member: Greater B'ham Ministeries and Smithfield-College Hills Ecumenical Fellowship
Assistance to persons in need
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"God Is
Still
Speaking"
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First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
1024 Center Street North
Birmingham, Alabama 35204
Phone: 205-322-1331
Fax: 205-322-1330
www.firstchurchbirmingham.org
Pastor's Email: pastor_fccuccbham@att.net
Church's Email: fccuccbham@att.net
Meeting ID: 830 9028 5356
Passcode: 002956
Face to face service began on June 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
Hybrid service on Zoom is still available.
Sunday School/Bible Study, Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Central Time
Welcome!
MISSION STATEMENT
We hold it to be the mission of the church to be an inclusive and living Christian fellowship, in covenant with God and one another as we seek to know God's will through prayer and study of the Bible. We are committed to being witness to God's love and mercy, to serving God and community and to strive for world justice and peace.
"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God;"
I John 4:7
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CHURCH HISTORY
Congregational Churches in America began in the 1620's when settlers from England and other European countries declared their freedom in thought, consciousness and word. This resulted in many members becoming actively involved in abolitionist campaigns which divided many congregations. An incident known as the Amistead revolt which occurred in 1839 served to galvanize a strong abolitionist movement within the denomination. Congregational churches in New England organized the Amistad Committee, which later became the American Missionary Association, to advocate on behalf of African captives who had seized control of the Spanish ship, "La Amistad." The outcome of this effort was a favorable decision by the United States Supreme Court in 1841 to free the kidnapped Africans. In 1846, the AMA became the first anti-slavery Christian missionary group in the United States.
Following the Civil War, the AMA started a network of elementary schools, high schools and colleges for Blacks in the south. Among these institutions were Lincoln Normal, Emerson Institute, Swayne School and Trinity School. Some of the institutions that exist today are Talladega College, Fisk University, Tougaloo College and Lemoyone College. Congregational churches also grew in the south.
The First Congregational Church in Birmingham, Alabama, was founded in 1882 and operated in a vacant store on 4th Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets, North. A few years later, the small membership, proud of its modest achievement, erected a frame structure at 2nd Avenue and 25th Street, North. The building, costing nine hundred dollars, was partially financed by the American Missionary Association. The AMA donated two hundred fifty dollars toward the new building. The congregation, having raised an equal amount, borrowed the four hundred dollar balance from the Penny Savings Bank, a Black business which had earned a prestigious reputation.
In 1905, the membership purchased a plot of land on the southwest corner of 7th Avenue and 15th Street, North. Here, they erected a brick structure which was dedicated in 1911. The church remained at this location until it was destroyed by fire on April 9, 1949. Undaunted by the destruction of their church home, the members began immediately to plan a new building. For a while, services were held in the Smith Building, (Later known as the A. G. Gaston Building), on 5th Avenue between 17th and 18th Streets, North. Later, the members conducted services at Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 523 First Street, North. Having purchased a lot at 1024 Center Street, North, the congregation broke ground in 1951 for their new home. The new building was dedicated in 1952.
In 1957, a new denomination was born. The Congregational Christian Churches united with the Evangelical and Reformed Church to form the United Church of Christ. The UCC is interested in uniting with other churches in fulfillment of the great prayer of Jesus Christ, "That they may all be one". The denomination seeks to unite Christians from varied historical, theological and cultural backgrounds into Christian fellowship and ministry. UCC is divided into several conferences which are united through a General Synod.
First Congregational Church, UCC of Birmingham, Alabama, continues to grow by making God's will dominant and witnessing to His spiritual presence and guidance in the lives of all. This church acknowledges Jesus Christ as its head and finds its guidance through divinely inspired interpretation of the holy scriptures.
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WE WELCOME OUR NEW PASTOR
Reverend Dorinda Broadnax
Rev. Dorinda Parmer Broadnax was called as pastor of First Congregational Church, UCC, as of January 1, 2020. Rev. Broadnax came to Birmingham First from Community Congregational UCC in Montgomery, Alabama, where she served as associate pastor for 18 years.
Previously licensed by the Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Broadnax was one of the first ministers ordained under the UCC's alternative paths to ordination. Having completed all levels of the TAP/PEPP Program (now known as Pathways) in 2006, she was affirmed as ordainable pending call on January 25, 2014, and was ordained July 6, 2014.
Rev. Broadnax has served the UCC regionally and nationally, as a member of the Southeast Conference UCC National Church Executive Council, the Southeast Conference Board of Directors, and vice moderator for the Alabama/Tennessee Association. In addition, she has worked with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Mentoring Ministry for the Alabama/NW Florida region; and provided pulpit supply/interim ministry for several Alabama and Georgia churches. She previously served in a national capacity as a member of the UCC Board of Directors and representative to the Common Global Ministries Board.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Office administration from Alabama State University (1974), Rev. Broadnax is employed as office manager for Davis and Hatcher, LLC, and as administrative assistant with BTL Technologies -- both in Montgomery, Alabama.
Her family plays an important role in her life. She is the proud mother of three children: a lovely daughter, Shantora; two sons, Willie, Jr., and Richard; daughter-in-law, Dawn; and son-in-law, Alton. She is the grandmother of seven wonderful grandchildren--Semaj, Erika, Destiny, Richard, Jr., Andrew Kaleb, Sage and Gianna.
First Church praises God for having been blessed with such a warm, thoughtful, dynamic, inspired, inspiring, Spirit-filled leader we have in Rev. Dorinda P. Broadnax.
Chancel Choir
Fifth Sunday Choir
MARCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
March 10 Time Springs Forward
March 10 One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering
March 14 Zoom Maundy Thursday Planning Session with Covenant UCC Pastors/Hospitality/Diconate/Music Ministry at 1:00 p.m.
March 25 Palm Sunday Worship
March 28 Maundy Thursday Worship at 6:00 p.m., First Congregational UCC Host Church
March 29 Good Friday Worship - First Congregational UCC, Talladega, AL -
Rev. Reginald Holloway, Pastor (Details forthcoming)
March 31 11:00 a.m. - A spirit-filled Easter Service, led by the Christian Education, Youth & Young Adults and Music Ministries
