WE BELIEVE IN GOD’S
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
AND IN THE INHERENT GOODNESS
OF ALL CREATION
A JUST WORLD FOR ALL
Taos UCC is a progressive community of faith, grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus and in the historic peace-making Christian tradition. If being part of progressive social justice community of faith makes sense to you please join us. We are open to people of all faiths and no faith.
Our community practices radical welcome of all- young, old and middle aged, male, female and gender non-binary, gay and straight, and all ethnicities and cultural traditions.
Sunday Service
We meet at 10am every Sunday at 209 Camino de la Merced, unit f, or join us on Zoom:
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, whatever you believe, used to believe or will never believe, you are welcome here.
Never place a period
where God has placed a comma.
God is still speaking.
GRACIE ALLEN
OUR MISSION
We are a 7 day a week faith community investing our time and money and passion to create a consciousness of faith and social justice. Passionate and progressive in our faith practice, we return to the roots of that which
Jesus and his followers were doing- giving ourselves in love. We believe in the scripture – not in its inerrancy
– and know that God is still speaking in this time and place.
Welcome home.
ABOUT US
Our Staff
PASTOR
Hi! We are the Pastor…
Cidney Fee, Congregational Care Shepherd
Leonor Kennell, Community Service Shepherd
Eileen Wiard, Worship Shepherd
Jerry Kennell, Vision Shepherd
CIDNEY FEE
Growing up and active in a Presbyterian Church gave me a wonderful base and a desire for a spiritual home. It also gave me a strong interest in social justice and service. When my dear friend Pam Shepherd started TaosUCCI decided to attend. This has been a good home for me and I am honored to give back being the Congregational Care Shepherd.
LEONOR KENNELL
I grew up in the South Bronx, NYC to Cuban and Puerto Rican parents where I developed a deep awareness of the concerns and needs of immigrants and of those who live in poverty. I was fortunate to be introduced to the teachings of Jesus at a young age and was deeply influenced by his messages of hope, healing, and love. These experiences have compelled me to seek how I might join forces with those in the margins of the communities where I have lived in order to address their hopes, concerns, and needs. I am thankful to be in the role of Community Service Shepherd at Taos UCC where we work together in support of community organizations to create a just world for all.
EILEEN WIARD
I have been playing music and singing in church since I was a young girl in Connecticut. Eighteen years ago, I married a Methodist pastor at El Pueblito here in Taos, where I became the music director and helped him prepare worship services. A few years after the passing of my dear friend, Pastor Pamela Shepherd, I became the liturgist of this church she founded. Now, as the Worship Shepherd at Taos UCC, I enjoy the freedom to invite speakers to join us and nourish our beloved community with their perspectives and experience as we become who we are meant to be in service and love to all we meet.
JERRY KENNELL
Growing up in the peace church tradition, I have spent my life enamored by the cry for justice and fairness from the Old Testament prophets, and the singular invitation of Jesus to join a movement of compassion, healing, peace, justice, and love. Taos UCC’s founding pastor, Pamela Shaepherd, called this the “Kindom of Heaven.” I am thrilled, as a lay minister in the United Church of Christ, to serve as Vision Shepherd for this progressive congregation, representing a wide variety of faiths and practices, focused on creating a just world for all.
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Scott Huebl, Moderator and Treasurer
Virginia Lee, Member at large
Debra Phillips, Clerk and Check writer
Helen Bright, Member at large
Linda Alexander, Member at large
MICHAEL VIRGA
MUSICIAN
Michael has been providing music for Taos UCC services since fall of 2017. Outside of Taos UCC, he heads a local Taos band called The Second Wind Endeavor, which released its eponymous debut album in the spring of 2021. He grew up in Maryland and moved to Taos in early 2017, and spends his days working as a handyman/carpenter. He is very glad to be a part of the Taos UCC community.
OUR HISTORY
Taos United Community Church started as the dream of our founding pastor, Reverend Pamela Shepherd, to bring a progressive and inclusive denomination to Taos. With the support of the United Church of Christ, this church began weekly services in 2017. The covid pandemic changed our weekly services to a ZOOM service. Attendance dropped slightly, but we persevered in our attempts to find worship space and furniture and in October of 2021 we were fully open for hybrid services: in person and interactive ZOOM. Sadly, our founding pastor died in late October 2021. The church is still thriving with new visitors and members/partners.
We continue our outreach in the community.
Shepherd’s Place is our casual meeting room and is available for community groups who are in line with who we are.
Southwest Conference UCC Website: swcucc.org
National UCC Website: ucc.org
Worship
SUNDAY SERVICE
We continue hybrid worship on Sunday Mornings at 10am. You know best how to protect yourself in these trying and unpredictable Covid times. The church will be open for services with masks optional and social distancing. We are supported in this continuing decision by the leadership of the Southwest Conference of UCC.
We meet at 10am every Sunday at 209 Camino de la Merced, unit f, or join us on Zoom:
We are a casual friendly, diverse group of people. Our celebration services mix music, scripture, modern readings, meditation and prayer. Come as you are
SERVICES ON YOUTUBE
For recent videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@TaosUCC/featured
For older videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@taosunitedcommunitychurch6816
There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God’s
holy word.
Our faith is 2000 years old. Our thinking is not.
– UCC BELIEF
Be
swift
to love.
CROSS BY TUPPER HAWLEY
MARY MOST HOLY MOTHER OF ALL
NATIONS BY FATHER BILL
(FR. WILLIAM HART MCNICHOLS)
LECTIO DIVINA
Every Thursday, a small group of us gather for Lectio Divina – an opportunity to meditate on holy scripture from a variety of faith systems. Refresh yourself. Have the ears of your heart tune in with us.
Our Lectio Divina group meets every Thursday morning at 7:30 until 8am. Join us this week.
Everyone is welcome.
The Zoom Link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84876009972
Justice in Action
JUSTICE IN ACTION
THROUGH ACTION AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Christianity and Climate
Immigrant Allies – Little Free Pantry
Taos Medical Debt Relief Project
Immigrant Support
After School Support
Taos Cancer Support
Repurposing Plastic Project
Food Insecurity programs in Taos
Community Against Violence
Connect
Connect
We welcome your inquires and comments.
mail: TaosUCC PO Box 1084, Taos, NM 87571
OUR LOCATION. 209 Camino de La Merced unit F