So here you will know about the First Congregational of Lorain!
What is a congregational, many may ask. Congregational or congregational churches are those Protestant churches that choose to follow congregationalism that is, functioning independently, without any linkage to any bishop hierarchy or any other system. This is mostly not the practice in Catholic churches, where each church is not independent to decide and follow its own rulings but has to follow the orders of the bishop, the archbishop and those in even senior positions.
Said to have descended from the followers of Robert Brownie, these Congregationalists or Independents (as they are also still known as in Britain) do not allow any other system to judge their affairs, but decide the affairs of their church independently. With migration of many towards the New World, this system was carried to America and now exists as three prominent names, which most congregational churches affiliate themselves with. Among them is the United Church of Christ (UCC) which is what the First Congregational of Lorain, is linked with.
Located in Lorain, Ohio, this church is the First Congregational Church of Lorain and is actively trying to do anything it can to help the people affiliated with it, and those outside it as well. With the motto of “God is still speaking” adorning not only its webpage but its pages on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking websites, this church under affiliation is quite active.
Amongst its goals is seeking to provide not just religious solace to those part of it by putting up various articles, but also by motivating its followers to come forward and help everyone. One mission is highlighted as “Mission 1”, which is aiming to collect funds for the East Africa famine victims. Not only is this posted on their various webpages, but they also motivate the followers by asking them to join in the battle to raise more from their church than any UCC (United Church of Christ.
For those interested in knowing what the UCC is doing globally, they have updates too, the recent event being the visit of the UCC (United Church of Christ) disciples to Congo, to help the poor there. Also, a lot of religious work is done on these visits abroad as well, proving to be a way they convert others to believe in what they believe.
With the tenth anniversary of the 11th September event, there were various things organized in memory of those innocent killed. In the same way the UCC also made it a point to step forward. Jesuit priests went down to ground zero and made video footages marking each area there. These footages of course went up on their webpage and the pages on Twitter and Facebook as well, allowing the various followers to emotionally view the sites, as the priests themselves did.
Also, and article, titled, “We Will Never Forget”, was also posted. It brought into light the various ways the nations suffered and how the others sacrificed and united against evil, bringing peace not only in their country but to their souls as well.
Thus, where the First Congregational Church of Lorain might be the first functioning one of its kinds in its area, it is taking all the steps to gradually become known to help and heal.