A Message from Dr. Patterson
Welcome to the website of Naples United Church of Christ. The United Church of Christ is a main-line denomination whose roots mingle with the founding of the nation. Some of our faith ancestors arrived at Plymouth Rock in 1620 on the Mayflower and came to call themselves Congregational. Others made their early mark on American history among the German Reformed congregations of Pennsylvania or Ohio. Still others first experienced the freedom of this nation and the freedom of conscience on the Western frontier among congregations simply known as "Christian" or "German Evangelical". In every case, our forebears were people who cherished freedom of conscience and who sought a relationship with God and one another. Our tradition is a free tradition, where each participant "covenants" to seek God's presence and an active relationship with Jesus Christ without the imposition of dogma or guilt.
Our membership is diverse in many ways and that's the way we like it. We celebrate the unconditional love of God and find joy in great music, in preaching which deals with real life, and in activities which build friendships and help others. Children have a special place here, with a full range of opportunities for education, but adults will find in this congregation activities and engagement to build fuller lives. Our missions include Habitat for Humanity and the Ebenezer School in Honduras and the full range of programs sponsored nationally and internationally by the United Church of Christ. But our real mission is to help you find a way to grow and seek your own peace in a world which is complex and often confusing.
Check out the remainder of this web site. It is an invitation to visit and to worship with us. I look forward to welcoming you!
God's peace and blessing,
Dr. Ronald M. Patterson
