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Join us live every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in our sanctuary or online
Statement of Political Conscience
Approved by the Church Council on February 25, 2026 to bring to a vote of the congregation on April 12, 2026
We, the people of First Congregational Church of Palo Alto (United Church of Christ), will not remain silent when we witness harm being done to our neighbors who are immigrants, LGBTQ+, people of color, US citizens, and those who stand with them in solidarity, because our faith calls us first to love. Grounded in our trust in God and in the life and teachings of Jesus, we raise our voices in protest and witness when the dignity of persons, the bonds of community, and the foundations of justice are threatened. We take the call of Scripture seriously to care for the poor and vulnerable, to proclaim truth, to practice mercy, and to be peacemakers in a world that too often prizes power, profit, and intimidation over human worth.
We remember times when Christians failed to speak, as well as the faithful courage of our United Church of Christ forebears in the abolitionist movement and other movements for justice. In this moment in our country, we choose to love our neighbors by standing for justice. We reject cruelty, deception, and the abuse of power, not out of anger but out of devotion to the sacred worth of every person. With humility and hope, we commit ourselves to God’s work—calling leaders to accountability, caring for creation, and standing in solidarity with people of every faith and no faith—seeking to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).
We, the people of First Congregational Church of Palo Alto (United Church of Christ), will not remain silent when we witness harm being done to our neighbors who are immigrants, LGBTQ+, people of color, US citizens, and those who stand with them in solidarity, because our faith calls us first to love. Grounded in our trust in God and in the life and teachings of Jesus, we raise our voices in protest and witness when the dignity of persons, the bonds of community, and the foundations of justice are threatened. We take the call of Scripture seriously to care for the poor and vulnerable, to proclaim truth, to practice mercy, and to be peacemakers in a world that too often prizes power, profit, and intimidation over human worth.
We remember times when Christians failed to speak, as well as the faithful courage of our United Church of Christ forebears in the abolitionist movement and other movements for justice. In this moment in our country, we choose to love our neighbors by standing for justice. We reject cruelty, deception, and the abuse of power, not out of anger but out of devotion to the sacred worth of every person. With humility and hope, we commit ourselves to God’s work—calling leaders to accountability, caring for creation, and standing in solidarity with people of every faith and no faith—seeking to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).
What to Expect“Congregational” means a type of church organization. We are a congregational church because of our process, though affiliated freely with the United Church of Christ denomination. |
Pastors & StaffRev. David Howell has been a part of the First Congregational Church staff since 1997... Dave brings creativity, humor and a passion for the arts to ministry through improvisation, theater, music, and puppetry. |
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