The United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale is an open & affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC). We are an active part of the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ. The UCC is a wonderfully diverse, inclusive, justice and peace-seeking Christian Church that believes that God is Still Speaking in, to and through our world today. Our denomination is a spiritual community consisting of over 5,600 churches and 1.3 million members. The UCC has a rich history, a vibrant presence, and a hope and faith-filled future. We are: A Welcoming, Open, and Affirming Church to all people of all races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, professions, previous religious affiliations, nationalities, or mental and physical conditions. Our Mission is: to develop passionate followers of Christ through — the Celebration of Worship, the Excitement of God’s Word the Blessing of God’s Healing, the Rewards of Service, the Honoring of God’s Creation, and the Joy of Fellowship – where all are welcome at God’s table. History In 1953, a dozen people met at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club to establish a new church. They decided to originally call it the Coral Ridge Community Church. Back then, many new church congregations were meeting in different public places, including bowling alleys and restaurants. Once established financially, they would erect their churches. Our church briefly met at the Shrine Club at Holiday Park with a few temporary ministers. Our church was chartered in 1954 with 115 charter members. The Board of Home Land Missions loaned us $250,000 to construct a church building. The Reverend Arthur Snow was our church’s first minister. His wife, Alice Snow was also a minister. The newly-established Women’s Guild organized a reception for them. The first marriage ceremony was held in the same year with Donald Whitney and Virginia Mosely. Rev. Snow almost tripled our membership while he was Senior Minister. In 1956 the church building was completed. The architects were Sellew and Gremli Associates of Sarasota, Florida and the contractor was Harry Minds of Atlantic Construction and Engineering Corporation. It is still located at 2501 Northeast 30 th Street at Middle River Drive. At the time it included a large multi-purpose Fellowship Hall (Elliott Hall) that was used for services. It has a capacity for 250 people, a stage, bathrooms and more. G. Harold Martin gifted many new hymnals. A kindergarten was started then and lasted 15 years. The national United Church of Christ was founded in 1957 after a merger of the Congregational Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Our church voted to merge. 1958 saw the beginnings of the Social Committee to plan Coffee Hours, receptions and other special events. The Reverend Wesley Riedel was installed in 1959. Three years later, in 1962, architectural plans were submitted for the Sanctuary part of our church. It was built to the west of the existing building. The Sanctuary has been cited by the Broward County Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Florida Engineering Society as a structure exhibiting outstanding craftsmanship. Rapid growth with the children’s ministry required a classroom wing and offices to be built in 1965. In 1967 the Reverend Harold Stephanz was called, and he was Senior Minister for ten years. The new Associate Minister, focusing on Christian Education was the Reverend Bruce Mosher, who joined in 1968. After Rev. Hal, the Reverend William V. Ring became our pastor in 1977, when our church was known as the First Congregational Church, with a subtitle of United Church of Christ. During his 22-year tenure we celebrated our 25 th Anniversary. As lay Christian Education Director, Suzanne Lewis established youth activities and trips, along with education. Reverend Ring retired in 1999. The Reverend John Tweed became pastor in 1999. He was a passionate advocate for HIV/AIDS patients. He had to retire due to heart problems. The Reverend David Hahn stepped up from 2000-2002 as Interim Minister. He encouraged participation with lay leaders. The Sunday School population dwindled through the 1980s and 1990s, like all churches have, but children were encouraged to come when the Director of Christian Education picked them up in a van. In 2002 the Reverend Dr. Harold McSwain, Jr. became pastor. He was active in social justice issues, which started during his time. McSwain also encouraged the congregation to become Open and Affirming in 2004, the 50 th Anniversary of our church. He wrote the words to our Welcoming Statement. Under Rev. Hal, our church continued to provide support for the Feeding Program of Broward County. We had an Empty Bowls Fund-raising Dinner of homemade soup and bread to remind us that many would be grateful for even this simple meal. He directed the Chancel Choir during a time when we didn’t have a choir director. He was with our church for five years. A church member, Ruth Earn, started Ruth Ministry. It was named in her honor. In 2003 she helped someone with a simple lunch of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. After that, the program grew exponentially, to the incredible ministry it is today. Another Interim Minister was needed in 2007. The Reverend Peg Daugherty helped guide the congregation in organization and structure, having the congregation realize that any pastor cannot do it all. In 2009 the Reverend Rebecca Steen was called. She was married later that year to Jack Stephenson. Her sermons were always surprising with her creative sermons. Pastor Becky added an 8 am service and Ruth Ministry continued. Rev. Becky had the classrooms refurbished to rent out to non-profits and similar groups. Rooms 7 and 8 were upgraded with cabinets. WAMM, Worship, Arts, Music Ministry was established and led by Joe Akin. WAMM was responsible for the worship experience every Sunday, altar decorations, order of worship programs, greeters and ushers. We also provided hurricane funds to victims in Florida, Haiti, Japan and the Philippines over those years. The Reverend Dr. Garth Thompson came in 2012, having been a member of our church before accepting his position, first as an Acting Pastor and then Senior Pastor for three years. David Dunlap was hired as Director of Music in 2013. In 2015, the church welcomed Reverend Patrick Rogers. We received a $30,000 grant from the Agnes Varis Trust which was used to renovate the church chancel to expand worship services. By 2019, the attendance had increased, between the regular Sunday service and the Ruth Ministry short service. The Congregational Care Ministry was established in 2015 under Rev. Patrick. Clergy and church leaders still provide care, concern, compassion, prayer and support for families and individuals at various stages, places and circumstances of life and engages the congregation in service and community for one another. In-home or hospital visits, prayers, baptisms, memorial services, weddings and more are led by Kathy Brodeur and Bill Morton. The Public Relations Team started under Janet Edmonds and Bonnie Nichols became Office Manager. Arlene Culliney became the volunteer personal assistant to Rev. Patrick. New by-laws were adopted in 2015 with a leadership team: the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Clerk and leaders took care of the church's designated ministries: WAMM, Missions, Christian Education, Congregational Care, Building & Grounds and other committees. In 2018 the Brown-West Garden was formed in the courtyard. George Brown and Barbara West were the inspiration. The gazebo was added in 2019. The Wall of Memories has memorial plaques for loved ones who have passed. Cremated remains have been interred. Interim Minister, Pastor Emily Jazombek was a member of our congregation before being selected to be Interim Minister after Rev. Patrick Rogers passed away in 2022. She gave a variety of inspiring sermons over the year she was Pastor, with the help of the Interim Preaching Team: Rev. Rex Beyer, Rev. Brad Lutz, Rev. Ken Orth, Rev. Joel Slotnick, Rev. Marshall Snyder-Harris, lay minister Jim Sargent, Rev. Ken South and Rev. Jeff Wheeler. Due to her ministry, our church continued to grow in membership. Our church needed a new roof at this time. Under the leadership of Gary Hill we now have a beautiful metal roof, guaranteed to be waterproof and iguana-proof. David Dunlap celebrated his ten years as Director of Music, Organist, Handbell Choir leader and graphic artist for our church. He has booked concerts by talented singers and orchestras with the help of WAMM Leader, Cheryl Barth. In September of 2023, Reverend Aaron Lauer started his call as Lead Pastor of UCC Fort Lauderdale. Over the past year, the church has grown by over 60 members and has started ministries with community partners Safe Schools of South Florida, Imperial Sun Court of All Florida, and BOLD Justice. Pastor Aaron has engaged with the already thriving ministries of the church and has worked with the congregational leadership to launch a capital campaign for improvements around the campus and to increase participation in social justice. Our regular programs of Worship Arts and Music, Christian Education, Ruth Ministry, Congregational Care and Audio-Visual Ministry continue to thrive under Rev. Lauer. - by Suzie Alvey