A brief Bridgeport history
Bridgeport first gathered for worship in June of 1998. We began by
meeting monthly, but by December we went to worshipping together two
Sundays a month. We grew quickly — both in numbers and in Spirit — and
we began to explore a formal relationship with the United Church of
Christ.
In June of 1999, we became a full-time UCC church and our pastor, the
Rev. Susan Leo, a graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary, was
ordained into the ministry by the United Church of Christ. In June of 2000
we moved into this church building which we are now buying with the help
of a loan from the UCC. Our budget is very small and we have no endowment.
Pledges and offerings are essential to our survival and growth.
People come to Bridgeport because we are a different kind of church. We
are unabashedly thoughtful, compassionate, and progressive people. We come
here to be challenged by the gospel of Jesus Christ and nurtured by a
community that earnestly seeks to understand what "Christianity"
can really mean here and now. We are redefining the idea of church for
ourselves and generating opportunities for everyone — and we mean
everyone — to explore, remember, or discover their faith, and to create
community.
Here at Bridgeport there is always a lot to do. We need to organize all
kinds of programs, projects, and special events as well as what happens on
Sunday morning. We also have to mow the lawn, clean the building, and do
all the things that big old churches pay people to do. We try to pay
attention to all the details, but if you notice some that are going
unaddressed, tell somebody — and be ready to be asked to help! We're all
pitching in to make this church our home!
Everyone is welcome to participate in every aspect of Bridgeport life,
whether or not you choose to 'officially' join the church. |