Congregational churches are sometimes known as the “Church of the Pilgrims” after the small congregations of the early 1600s. The people of these congregations moved from England to the New World in pursuit of religious freedom. From them, we inherited a wonderful spiritual heritage, one that is uniquely suited to our contemporary world.
This is a tradition that has deep convictions based upon the Word of God as each person interprets that Word according to the dictates of conscience, under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. This naturally attracts people of genuine conviction, of adventurous faith, and of gracious regard for each other’s sincerity to the Congregational Christian fellowship.
Congregational churches are sometimes known as the “Church of the Pilgrims” after the small congregations of the early 1600s. The people of these congregations moved from England to the New World in pursuit of religious freedom. From them, we inherited a wonderful spiritual heritage, one that is uniquely suited to our contemporary world.
This is a tradition that has deep convictions based upon the Word of God as each person interprets that Word according to the dictates of conscience, under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. This naturally attracts people of genuine conviction, of adventurous faith, and of gracious regard for each other’s sincerity to the Congregational Christian fellowship.
Our Staff
E. J. Prevoznak
Senior Pastor
Carol Taylor
Pastor
I’ve lived in Beloit most of my life, am married and have two grown sons. I was very involved in the merger process when First Presbyterian and Second Congregational came together to form United Church of Beloit in 2012. I use my administrative talent and photography hobby to promote the church activities on social media. I’m on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (www.naccc.org) and am very involved in the Beloit Area Ministers Association and Beloit Coalition of Churches, and the Presbytery of Milwaukee.
My ministry is to help folks understand God’s presence in every aspect of life, to share that divine Love, because to live our faith is the most powerful witness.
Michelle Bullock
Secretary
E. J. Prevoznak
Sr. Pastor
Carol Taylor
Pastor
Michelle Bullock
Secretary
Our Mission and Vision
Our Mission and Vision
Our Vision
United Church of Beloit exists to glorify God by making disciples in our neighborhood, our communities, and the world. We respond to the call of Jesus Christ, taking the gospel into the world and bearing witness to Christ’s saving love to the ends of the earth.
We are shaped by Reformed theology, history, and representational form of leadership from both the Presbyterian and Congregational faith traditions. We faithfully work to serve Christ in the world through new and existing communities of faith, hope, love, and witness.
Our Mission
We seek to build a community in Christ that we might reach our community for Christ. We place high value on loving connection with God through worship, and with people through large-group fellowship times, and small-group Bible study experiences. Just as importantly we value mission and service projects, including outreach to neighbors in need locally and in the world.
Our Beliefs, Values, and Covenant
Our Beliefs, Values, and Covenant
As followers of Jesus, we embrace the beliefs and actions of Jesus as guiding values. These values inform how we live as we follow Jesus and engage people with the hope of Jesus.
Our Beliefs
- Christ alone is the head of the church.
- Scripture is our foundation, and we are guided by the Holy Spirit.
- All church members are spiritually equal and called to the work of ministry.
- Our church is self-governing.
- Our church is called into wider fellowship with other churches.
- Believers are bound to one another in a voluntary covenant.
- Every Christian possesses full liberty of conscience in interpreting the Gospel.
- The Bible is fully sufficient as our guide in matters of faith and practice and will inspire individuals and direct the church with fresh light and truth for every generation.
- Today the Holy Spirit is still on the move, calling us to share in what God is doing in the world.
Our Values
- Community:
We value our Beloit community and neighbors through words and actions that love, care for, and encourage one another. - Love and justice:
We value our commitment to love, justice, and mercy in faithfulness to Christ-centered Gospel witness. - Education and learning:
We value a strong emphasis on lifelong learning, particularly through the study of scripture, to better understand and love God. - Stewardship:
We value our calling to be responsible use of one’s time, talents, and money to serve God. - Service and mission:
We value sharing the Gospel and serving others in the community and around the world.
Our Covenant
- What is a covenant?
- It’s an agreement. It’s a strong agreement, not quite a legal contract, but a binding agreement for sure. In the bible God makes covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and finally the New Covenant fulfilled in Jesus.Congregationalism is all about covenant. So much so that our national organization is called an association, not a denomination. This means each congregation decides for itself how to manage its own finances, who its preacher will be, etc.Both Congregationalists and Presbyterians believe that the Spirit moves and works best in community. In gatherings and groups. Because, as the prophet Isaiah reminds us, God’s ways are higher than our ways and God’s thoughts higher than our thoughts.
Covenant of the United Church of Beloit
We join together to live as a growing community of followers of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in scriptures. We seek to worship and serve God with the whole of our individual hearts, minds and spirits. We seek to understand, preserve, and proclaim the truths of God’s gracious work for the salvation of humankind. We seek to affirm rather than to condemn. We seek to reach out in Christian love with God’s extravagant hospitality demonstrated by our Lord.
Discipleship and Commitment
As followers of Jesus, we are committed to nurturing our love for God and others.
Baptism
In baptism, we are called to a new way of life as Christ’s disciples, sharing the good news of the gospel with all the world. Baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace made by God through Jesus and extended to us. In baptism, God claims us as beloved children and members of Christ’s body, the church, washing us clean from sin as we renounce the power of evil and seek the will and way of God.
We practice both adult and infant baptism. Christ’s gracious invitation is open to all. However, baptism is just the beginning of a lifelong process of formation in the faith.
Connect with us if you feel called to be baptized.
Communion
The Lord’s Supper is one of thanksgiving and remembrance for the self-offering of Jesus Christ once and for all time on a cross in Jerusalem. Christ’s perfect sacrifice of love and service is not re-enacted or reactualized at the Lord’s Supper; rather, in the joyful feast of eucharistic celebration, we offer our praise and thanksgiving to God for this amazing gift. Furthermore, the sacrament Christ instituted for his remembrance takes the form of a simple meal — a sharing of bread and wine.
At United Church of Beloit, all faithful believers are invited into communion. Our communion service is held the first Sunday service of every month.
Discipleship and Commitment
As followers of Jesus, we are committed to nurturing our love for God and others.
Baptism
In baptism, we are called to a new way of life as Christ’s disciples, sharing the good news of the gospel with all the world. Baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace made by God through Jesus and extended to us. In baptism, God claims us as beloved children and members of Christ’s body, the church, washing us clean from sin as we renounce the power of evil and seek the will and way of God.
We practice both adult and infant baptism. Christ’s gracious invitation is open to all. However, baptism is just the beginning of a lifelong process of formation in the faith.
Connect with us if you feel called to be baptized.
Communion
The Lord’s Supper is one of thanksgiving and remembrance for the self-offering of Jesus Christ once and for all time on a cross in Jerusalem. Christ’s perfect sacrifice of love and service is not re-enacted or reactualized at the Lord’s Supper; rather, in the joyful feast of eucharistic celebration, we offer our praise and thanksgiving to God for this amazing gift. Furthermore, the sacrament Christ instituted for his remembrance takes the form of a simple meal — a sharing of bread and wine.
At United Church of Beloit, all faithful believers are invited into communion. Our communion service is held the first Sunday service of every month.
United Church of Beloit’s Legacy
United Church of Beloit began in 2012 with the merger of Second Congregationalist Church Beloit and First Presbyterian Church Beloit. Their history date back to the 1850s when Beloit Congregationalists organized into faithful church bodies. The first site of Second Congregationalist Church Beloit was dedicated on Christmas Day 1859. Over next four decades, membership grew to over 400. In 1902, two church bodies merged to become the Second Congregationalist Church. The cornerstone of the current United Church of Beloit was laid on October 30th, 1904.
First Presbyterian Church was formed in 1849. Many of the first pioneers in Beloit were Presbyterian and they initially worshipped with the Congregationalists. The cornerstone for First Presbyterian Church was laid in 1905, and the church was dedicated in 1906.
United Church of Beloit was created from the merger of Second Congregationalist Church and First Presbyterian Church. This merger reinvigorated the spirit and faith filled life of the church.
United Church of Beloit’s Legacy
United Church of Beloit began in 2012 with the merger of Second Congregationalist Church Beloit and First Presbyterian Church Beloit. Their history date back to the 1850s when Beloit Congregationalists organized into faithful church bodies. The first site of Second Congregationalist Church Beloit was dedicated on Christmas Day 1859. Over next four decades, membership grew to over 400. In 1902, two church bodies merged to become the Second Congregationalist Church. The cornerstone of the current United Church of Beloit was laid on October 30th, 1904.
First Presbyterian Church was formed in 1849. Many of the first pioneers in Beloit were Presbyterian and they initially worshipped with the Congregationalists. The cornerstone for First Presbyterian Church was laid in 1905, and the church was dedicated in 1906.
United Church of Beloit was created from the merger of Second Congregationalist Church and First Presbyterian Church. This merger reinvigorated the spirit and faith filled life of the church.
Office Hours:
Tuesday – Friday
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
608-362-6857
ucboffice@unitedchurchbeloit.
657 Bluff St. Beloit, WI 53511
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