The Arts in the United Church of Christ

The congregations of the relatively new United Church of Christ use worship music that includes both traditional hymnody and music from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. A new hymnal is scheduled for publication in 1995. It will be patterned after the liturgical year as well as the Common Lectionary and will feature texts that use only inclusive language. The denomination is also noted for the variety of the locally appropriate architectural styles used in their churches.

The United Church of Christ was founded in 1957 by the joining of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Church. These two denominations were likewise the result of mergers in the 1930s of the Evangelical Synod with the Reformed Church, and of the Congregational Church with the Christian Church. The present United Church of Christ includes German-rooted Evangelical and Reformed churches, Puritan Reformation-based Congregationalism, and the free-thinking spirit of the southern Christian Church.

As a relatively new denomination, the United Church of Christ has been intentional in its work of providing a body of worship material for the diversity of worship styles that still exist. The Hymnal of the United Church of Christ, 1974, and The Book of Worship, 1986, are the denomination’s first hymnal and service book.

At this writing, a second hymnal is being prepared. Its goal is to continue to mold denominational identity through a blend of core hymnody that would represent not only its European heritage but also the African-American, Spanish-American, Asian-American, and Native American roots of the denomination. At the same time, it seeks to find the common hymns of the constituency. The spectrum of worship styles will be reflected also. Musical elements of the liturgical order of worship, such as the Kyrie, Gloria, and Sanctus, will be provided in a variety of multicultural settings. A Psalter will provide the basis for selective usage and will include suggestions for singing and speaking the Psalms that range from chant to responsive reading.

From its beginnings, the United Church of Christ has placed a strong emphasis on justice issues, and this is reflected not only in its multicultural attitude, but also in the production of printed materials that carefully avoid language which will reinforce cultural, social, and gender biases. The 1995 hymnal was commissioned by the Board for Homeland Ministries of the denomination to feature inclusive language. Consequently, much attention has been paid to hymn language for people and finding new metaphors for the deity.

The liturgical year and Common Lectionary readings are in widespread use in the denomination. Consequently, the 1995 hymnal is planned to be lectionary compatible and scripturally keyed. All of the aforementioned features will make the book ecumenically useful. This is often the case with materials produced by the denomination, owing to the diversity upon which it is founded.

Just as great variety exists in worship style, so it is reflected in architecture. People’s Congregational Church in Washington, D.C., provides a modern nave in the form of a stylized African hut for its mostly African-American membership. First Congregational Church in Houston, Texas, is a modern edifice based on simple Puritan principles of architecture. Other U.C.C. churches reflect a German Reformation heritage. The Board for Homeland Ministries has developed a process for helping congregations provide new architectural concepts to reflect their heritage.

The new curriculum being developed by United Church Press is following a similar direction as the hymnal. Inclusive, ecumenical, multicultural, and diverse, it also attempts to reflect the broad roots of the church. At its core is the use of visual art from Reformation to the present. This use of art will provide not only effective illuminations of lectionary subjects but will give an opportunity for the works of art to be viewed as documents through which faith and culture can be understood.