Who We Are

Pioneer Congregational United Church of Christ is a Pioneer Church. It was the first church founded in Sacramento in 1849. Since the Gold Rush days, we have welcomed people from all walks of life.

There is a great diversity of beliefs held by our members. We find that unity in Jesus Christ and our differences add to the richness and strength of our life together. We proclaim the love of Jesus Christ, the compassion that his love serves, and the humanity his love seeks to embrace.

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

Open and Affirming

Pioneer is an Open and Affirming congregation. We welcome into full membership and participation in our church all persons and their families, of every race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, economic status, and personal opinion. We also reaffirm that LGBTQ+ persons are welcomed within our community and are expected and encouraged to fully share their talents and gifts in the life of the congregation.

Too many LGBTQ+ people and their families live with the pain of having believed that “everyone” meant them, only to discover otherwise. No one should have to guess about the “boundaries of inclusion” of a congregation or other ministry. A clear welcome matters to LGBTQ+ adults who, seeking to share their faith and gifts with the church, often wonder if they will meet with silence or condemnation if they are “out” in church. It matters to families which too often hide the fact that they have LGBTQ+ children or other relatives. Fearing the indifference or rejection of their church, they are cut off from support and sharing which would enrich them and their congregation. It matters to LGBTQ+ clergy who often feel that to serve the church they must hide their true selves and lives. It matters to all Christians who believe that God’s affirmation of the gifts of loving relationships and sexuality are not restricted to those who are heterosexual, and who look to their church to witness God’s inclusive love and help them to better understand and live it.

Living in Christ requires that we act so that LGBTQ+ persons should not suffer from discrimination that threatens their basic human rights. In response, we call for justice for LGBTQ+ people in our community and in our society.