This script is from the Name Change Conversation held by our Moderator, Chip Gabbey,
on Sunday, March 02, 2025.
Good morning, everyone! Thank you so much for being here today as we continue this important conversation about the name of First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Before we dive in, I want to take a moment to express deep gratitude on behalf of Church Council and our church’s leadership. We've received so much thoughtful feedback over the past few weeks—through conversations after worship, Zoom calls, private conversations and emails, and more than 250 responses to our church survey.
Honestly, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect when we first started this process. The idea of a potential name change had been a topic of conversation in church leadership circles for quite a while, but we didn’t know how it would be received by the congregation as a whole. What we’ve experienced, though, has been incredibly positive and uplifting—graceful, thoughtful engagement from all of you.
What started as a conversation about a name has, in so many ways, turned into something far more meaningful—a conversation about our identity as a congregation. As you reflected on what matters most to you about this church—what brought you here, what keeps you here, and what you hope for our shared future—it became clear that these are sacred conversations. This is an opportunity to reflect on much more than just what we call ourselves. It’s a chance to grow together in understanding of who we are, and more importantly, who God is calling us to be.
If you’ve participated in these conversations, you know that we’re a congregation full of diverse and passionate perspectives on this matter. Some of you feel strongly that a name change is the right step forward. For many, concerns about the length of the name, the fact that nearly 40 other congregations in Wisconsin share the same name, and the idea that the current name may not connect as well with younger generations were key points raised—both by church council and many of you. On the other hand, we also heard from many people for whom the rich history and tradition of Congregationalism holds deep meaning. Others feel a strong connection to the United Church of Christ denomination. Many expressed a concern that a name change could negatively impact our excellent reputation in the community - we are indeed a church that is known by our neighbors for good reasons.
As the survey results came in, we noticed some clear trends. While more than half of the respondents were decisively open to a name change, and another quarter were open to considering the possibility, it’s clear that there are some important differences in what people prioritize. For example, a majority were passionate about keeping the phrase “United Church of Christ” in our name, while a significant minority were passionate about retaining “Congregational.” In total, sixty names were suggested and reviewed by the Council Advisory Team, but none seemed quite right. Only one name received around 50% support as something that could be acceptable, but it garnered less than 25% support as a first-choice option. Interestingly, the one word many people seemed willing to part with was “First.”
At this point, the church council feels that it may not be in our best interest to change just one word of our name—at least not right now. We’re aware that this is an ongoing conversation, and we anticipate it may continue to unfold over the coming months and years. There’s a chance we’ll circle back to this with a more formal process that could eventually lead to a congregational vote. But for now, after careful consideration, the church council has authorized the communications agency we’re working with for our website and logo design to proceed with the name First Congregational United Church of Christ. It is, for now, who we are—and we celebrate that!
We are a diverse church, full of unique voices, and we embrace the beautiful messiness of Congregationalism, where each member has both the responsibility and the authority to be heard. And we are, without a doubt, a United Church of Christ—a proud part of that remarkable denomination that continues to lead the way in advocating for justice, mercy, and compassion in both the church and society.
Now, it’s true that it may not be significant to all of us that we were the very first Congregational church in this area, but it is a part of our 175 year history—and we honor that history.
As we look ahead, we know that the strength of the foundation laid by our forefathers and foremothers allows us to continue growing as a vibrant congregation. Together, we are committed to following Jesus’ call to love and serve our neighbors—today, tomorrow, and in the years to come.
Thank you for being part of this journey, and I look forward to the next steps we’ll take together. We’re more than happy to continue the conversation today as you may have additional questions, reflections in light of Council’s current decision.