Kirkwood UCC is a community of faith devoted to spiritual growth through worship of God and committed to ministries of love and compassion inspired by Jesus Christ. Whether you are a seeker, skeptic, believer, or somewhere in between on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
It’s our commitment to help everyone grow in their faith to better serve their families, their community, and their world. We are grateful for your presence and invite you to participate in the many activities, ministries, classes and community programs offered by Kirkwood United Church of Christ.
Welcoming
Receiving all with warmth and openness.
Moving ourselves and the world toward Shalom means fostering opportunities for wellness and wholeness for all. This begins with a spirit of inclusivity, that all might become fully who God created them to be. Not just accepted, but genuinely affirmed.
Pertaining to what matters.
God continues to speak to us in each time and place, leading us through the challenges, joys and realities of life that are most pertinent and precious. We center ourselves around the power of God’s unconditional love as we strive to make sense of the world.
Faithfully moving forward.
God calls us toward discernment, renewal and transformation in all aspects of our living. With the goal of God’s peace and justice before us, we are a community centered on learning, wonder and prayerfulness.
We believe in God’s continuing testament. This is why we are committed to hearing God’s ancient story anew and afresh in our lives and in the world today. We try to remain attentive to God’s creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and your head and heart are both welcomed into our places of worship. We prepare our members and leaders to be engaged in ministry in the present and future church, and we embrace all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking. Why? Because God is still speaking.
Kirkwood UCC
Welcoming Covenant
Kirkwood United Church of Christ is called by God to be an open, diverse and caring community of Jesus’ disciples. In following Christ’s commandment to love one another, we welcome all who wish to share in fellowship, membership, leadership, worship, ministry, sacraments, rites, responsibilities and blessings of our faith community. As we affirm every person is a child of God, no one is excluded, regardless of race, ethnic or socio-economic background, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, nationality or faith background. We are an Open and Affirming and an Immigrant Welcoming congregation. All are welcome here!
Kirkwood United Church of Christ has a long history of striving to serve God and transform lives. Interest in forming a new Evangelical and
Reformed church in the Kirkwood area led in 1951 to services of worship, first in members’ homes and later in an office building on Manchester Road.
Meet Our Amazing Leadership Team
Our pastor, administrative staff, and leadership team are committed to supporting the vision and purpose of the church and ministries of those with whom the church shares covenant, individually and collectively.
Rev. Dr. Carole Barner
INTERIM PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Carole Barner joined us in November of 2023 as our Interim Pastor. This is an exciting time for KUCC and our larger community! Pastor Carole calls all of us to creative collaboration and bravery in moving forward, and openness to God’s question, “What if?” We are thrilled to have her!...READ MORE
Merry Keller
INTERIM MUSIC DIRECTOR
Merry brings a professional choral background and extensive performance experience to KUCC. With an undergraduate degree in vocal/choral music, and advanced studies in choral conducting and voice....READ MORE
Jennifer Johnson
CHILDCARE ATTENDANT
Jennifer up in KUCC. She now has returned to provide care for babies and toddlers during worship and children of all ages during adult education classes. She has .as a lab assistant and as an accounting assistant....READ MORE
Ron Bryant
ACCOMPANIST
Ron has been playing the piano in church since he was twelve years old. For KUCC, Ron plays both piano and organ. During our recent search for a recent music director, he took the lead to prepare each week’s....READ MORE
Stefanie Hochstadter
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Stefanie brings with her a wide variety of administrative skills, as well as experience coordinating activities and events. She will be working at the church on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am - 2pm, and can be reached via email at stefanie@kirkwooducc.org....READ MORE.
Administrator: Ellen Smith
Treasurer: Russ Kuttenkuler
Members: Lea Wendling
John Riggs
Anne Bauer
Mission and Outreach: Judy Kamper &
Kim Fine
Nurture and Education: Deb Humphrey & Linda Reynolds
Worship and Music:
Stewardship and Finance: Carrie Mershon
Building and Grounds: Open
Denominational Liaison:
People Resources:
Legal Realities: Ellen Smith
Financial Secretary: Jo Hetisimer
Endowment Council: Clint Bauer, Richard Losciale, Ellen Smith
Removing walls and moving our offices on the main level has given us a large new commons area. We now enjoy comfortable space for coffee hour and fellowship meals, made feasible by a new main level kitchen. We also added a new main level unisex accessible restroom and installed a lift so that individuals can enter at the back parking lot level and exit near the doors to the sanctuary. Finally, we repaired and resurfaced our parking lot.
We are happy to share our updated church home with our members and neighbors. We welcome several recovery groups as part of our ministry. If your group needs a home, contact us about available space. If you would like to rent our space for a gathering, please use the link below.
Solar panel ministry started in 2022, spawned by our Adult Education class on Climate Issues. A fundraising campaign in the spring involving church members generated the funds needed. In late September of 2022, the system was started up and has been generating green electricity since. It is a 32.8 kW system and provides two thirds of our church's annual electricity needs.