IEUPR’s General Pastor visits Cleveland, living into shared communion with the UCC

Over a year after the 35th General Synod passed a resolution declaring the United Church of Christ to be in full communion with its longtime Caribbean partner, Iglesia Evangélica Unida de Puerto Rico (IEUPR), the Rev. Rafael Garcia, the newly installed General Pastor of IEUPR met with UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson and other National Ministries staff in Cleveland August 4-5. This meeting provided next steps toward a renewed partnership and collaboration, as both denominations continue to face an ever-changing theological and political landscape. 

Moving in a New Direction, Together

Since taking the Office of General Minister and President in July, 2023, Thompson has made a commitment to repairing and rebuilding the partnership between IEUPR and the UCC. In the first set of meetings on August 4, both Thompson and Garcia discussed the states of both their respective churches, stating that the meetings are a step in ‘moving in a new direction, together.’ 

One of the key points of their conversation was around the ‘decline’ in church membership, and while many people may not be going to church as they once did, churches are still vibrant, active vessels in their respective communities. 

“People are looking for places where they can live out their spirituality,” said Thompson. “Attendance has always been seen as an important marker. While our congregations tend to be on the smaller side, it doesn’t mean they aren’t vibrant, and many of them are impacting their communities. How do we shift the conversation about metrics; moving away from numbers and attendance, and talk about what congregations are doing.”

The reuniting of IEUPR and the UCC has been 20 plus years in the making. At the 35th General Synod in Kansas City last summer, the voting delegates declared the church to be in ‘full communion with its longtime Caribbean partner. The resolution was brought to the Synod, along with leaders of IEUPR after years of conversation, after the historic split of the two back in 2005. 

IEUPR voted to leave the UCC after the denomination voted to support marriage equality for LGBTQ people. A denomination unto itself within Puerto Rico, the Iglesia had also functioned as the UCC’s Puerto Rico Conference since 1961. After the marriage equality vote, the Iglesia’s assembly voted in 2006 to disaffiliate with the UCC. It ceased to exist as a UCC Conference in 2007.

Upon this reuniting of the two denominations, Garcia said that he hopes this relationship can bring about real change and progress that will keep the church vibrant and thriving for years to come.

“We want to be a different denomination than we were in the past,” said Garcia. “It’s a renewed commitment and we have to take advantage of this moment.” 

‘What God is Calling Us to Become’

Danielle Hickman, Minister for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations said the meeting of the two heads of both the UCC and IEUPR was a ‘special and meaningful gathering’ that will allow the church to witness ‘the church living into its mission and commitment to reconciliation, unity, and the call of Jesus Christ.’ 

Hickman said that the meeting last week is not about erasing differences, but rather embracing them and finding ways to walk together. “It is a commitment to supporting one another in serving God’s people, standing with those who are marginalized, fighting for justice and reminding one another that we are not called to do ministry—or life—alone,” said Hickman.

In spite of the 2007 break, the two partners never lost contact. The joint Global Ministries of the UCC and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) provided a built-in tie with Puerto Rico. Years of focused, bilateral talks between the UCC and Iglesia Unida then followed.

Hickman said that through relationship, humility and a ‘shared commitment to Christ, we can continue to discover new ways of being the Church together.’

“This gathering was a beautiful reminder that reconciliation is not simply about looking back at what has been, but about discerning together what God is calling us to become,” said Hickman. 

With a restored relationship, both the UCC and IEUPR are looking ahead to the future to face the challenges that still lie, while giving gratitude and appreciation for the moments that led to this reunion. 

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