About

United in ministry. open & affirming.

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UNITED IN MINISTRY

United Christian Parish is a multi-denominational congregation. We embrace the histories and traditions of four Christian Protestant denominations:

  1. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

  2. Presbyterian (USA)

  3. United Church of Christ

  4. United Methodist Church

We honor the traditions of all four denominations in our worship, baptism and communion practices, and in our commitment to Christian education, mission, fellowship, stewardship and witness.

We believe that a multi-denominational approach is a real-world example of how people from diverse backgrounds and experiences can come together to build and grow something bigger and stronger than the sum of its parts. This multi-denominational approach allows Parishioners more autonomy in exploring their beliefs and faith practices. We hope you’ll find this unique approach refreshing.

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OPEN & AFFIRMING

United Christian Parish is an open and affirming congregation. All gender expressions and sexual orientations are welcome to the full life and ministry of our church. We preach and teach a Gospel which understands that God does not reject or condemn people solely for their gender expression or sexual orientation.

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History & mission

United Christian Parish was established in 1973 as a multi-denominational united parish in Reston, Virginia. The ecumenical (multi-denominational) dream our founders was to exemplify in tangible ways the prayer of Jesus “that they may all be one” (John 17:20). Our founders modeled the structure of United Christian Parish as a united community of faith that will:

  • Welcome all persons and celebrate diversity of membership

  • Acknowledge our covenanting denominations’ ministries and sacramental practices as authentic expressions of the universal church and unite through ecumenical worship grounded in those practices

  • Honor and teach the distinct history, theology, and polity of each of our denominations while remaining open to the variety of possibilities offered by our ecumenical partnership

  • Promote mutual understanding through open dialogue, the sharing of joys and concerns, and respect for each person’s faith journey

  • Pray regularly for one another and the unity of the church

  • Foster interdenominational and interfaith dialogue and cooperation in ministry and local and worldwide service

Today, our work remains committed to the dreams of our founders. Our mission is to create opportunities for all people in the community to experience the amazing grace and love of God, whom we know through Christ. We value:

  • Innovative worship within four traditions

  • Inclusiveness and hospitality in our community engagement and service

  • Advancing Social Justice

  • Preparing people for God’s call through Christian education

  • Being responsible stewards of natural and material resources

Our Story

 
 

  • United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church, United Methodist Church and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affirmed a covenant for church development in Reston, Virginia.

  • United Christian Parish (UCP) was established on Pentecost Sunday.

  • UCP had three campuses throughout Reston. Worship was at all three locations.

  • UCP helped in the development of Reston Interfaith (now Cornerstones); Bishop Desmond Tutu spoke on a Sunday morning at one of our campuses.

  • $550,000 was raised by UCP member and friend to build a school in Rwanda.

  • Same-sex marriages officially granted at UCP.

  • UCP co-sponsored the first Reston Pride.

  • The Parish continues to break new ground in both inter-denominational and hybrid ministry.

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