Sojourners is the United Church of Christ in Charlottesville, Virginia. The word “Sojourner” connotes movement, fluidity, pilgrimage, and inclusion of those who do not want set answers or rigid systems, but who, instead, want to be in a moving, changing relationship with God and with each other. Sojourners UCC is a community of faith, called to be on a journey together with other sojourners, always open to God’s call to move on.
Sojourners has had several homes in the Charlottesville area but has settled in a home of its own at 1017 Elliott Avenue in Charlottesville at the corner of Elliott and Monticello Avenues.
Sojourners United Church of Christ is an “Open and Affirming” (ONA) congregation. This is a designation that refers to a congregation of the U.C.C. which declares that people of all sexual orientations will be welcomed as full partners in every area of the congregation’s life and ministry. From its beginning Sojourners has been committed to full inclusion of gay and lesbian members, to affirming and celebrating the gifts they bring to the community, and to being a voice on behalf of justice and fairness for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the community at large. For more information contact the United Church of Christ Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns.
The United Church of Christ
Sojourners UCC is a member of the Shenandoah Association. Shenandoah is one of 5 associations within the Central Atlantic Conference (CAC).
Please visit the United Church of Christ (UCC) website to learn more about the national church.
At a time when religion is too often portrayed as narrow-minded and exclusive, many are raising their voices for an alternative vision:
- where God is all-loving and inclusive
- where a church welcomes and accepts everyone as they are
- where your mind is nourished as much as your soul
- where Jesus the healer meets Jesus the revolutionary
- where together we grow a just and peaceful world.
One of the defining characteristics of the UCC is that we join in community by testimonials, not tests, of faith. Your beliefs, your understanding of God and Jesus and church are uniquely yours, as you seek and explore alongside others in community.