The Journey Holland -- History

History on The Journey

Greetings,

The history of The Journey starts with the history of the Church, which begins with the history of Creation. While some may believe the story of Creation commenced just ten thousand years ago, scientists tell us the story of Creation began evolving billions of years ago.

Putting it metaphysically if not metaphorically: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” and, “God created humankind in God’s image; male and female God created them.” Back then, without even realizing it, all people were one: bearers of God’s eternal image.

Then people found or founded religion. The Journey took people down different religious roads: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and more.

The Journey is rooted in Christianity, but feels an affinity for people of all faiths, and none. We pray for the day when all people are one again. Until that future day, let us remember our past, which has led us to The Journey.

Blessings,

Rev. Bill Freeman

From Here To Eternity

The Church began 2,000 years ago with the birth of Jesus. People followed Jesus and his spirit. While the religious and political leaders of his day killed Jesus, his spirit was resurrected and lives on in the hearts, minds, and spirits of many Christians. Unfortunately Christians have not always been Christ-like; for example: The Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Salem Witch Trials.

Christianity would eventually diverge onto three paths: Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. Several groups of Protestants took diverse paths that nonetheless led them to converge in the same place in 1957, uniting into the United Church of Christ (UCC).

The UCC is a mainline Christian denomination, with 1.4 million members and nearly 6,000 congregations. The UCC is Open & Affirming and supports Just Peace. The UCC has a rich history:

1785: UCC ancestors ordain their first African-American clergy.

1853: UCC ancestors ordain their first woman minister.

1972: the UCC ordains its first openly gay pastor.

2005: the UCC supports equality in marriage.

While The Journey is committed to being ecumenical (it respects all denominations) and interfaith (it respects all religions), we are part of the UCC, because the UCC is the denomination that seems most compatible with those on The Journey.

From Eternity To Here

In the spring of 2005, while still a student at Western Theological Seminary, Bill Freeman had a vision of planting a different kind of church among the tulips of Holland, a church for people who just don’t fit in to any of the other churches in the area.

In late 2006, after pastoring a rural church for more than a year, Rev. Freeman gathered together a core group of people to begin thinking about starting a new church in Holland.

The Journey was officially born when it held its first Sunday Celebration on February 11, 2007.

Today, people turn to The Journey for inspiration, compassion, and justice. We hope, pray, and believe The Journey will always be a place where people have faith in God, hope in humanity, and love in community.

11:03 a.m. — Sunday Celebration, Sunday School, Child Care

451 Columbia, Holland, MI 49423; 616.894.0020; thejourneyholland.org

Open & Affirming / Just Peace / United Church of Christ

	History on The Journey Greetings, The history of The Journey starts with the history of the Church, which begins with the history of Creation. While some may believe the story of Creation commenced just ten thousand years ago, scientists tell us the story of Creation began evolving billions of years ago. Putting it metaphysically if not metaphorically: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” and, “God created humankind in God’s image; male and female God created them.” Back then, without even realizing it, all people were one: bearers of God’s eternal image. Then people found or founded religion. The Journey took people down different religious roads: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and more. The Journey is rooted in Christianity, but feels an affinity for people of all faiths, and none. We pray for the day when all people are one again. Until that future day, let us remember our past, which has led us to The Journey. Blessings, Rev. Bill Freeman *From Here To Eternity* The Church began 2,000 years ago with the birth of Jesus. People followed Jesus and his spirit. While the religious and political leaders of his day killed Jesus, his spirit was resurrected and lives on in the hearts, minds, and spirits of many Christians. Unfortunately Christians have not always been Christ-like; for example: The Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Salem Witch Trials. Christianity would eventually diverge onto three paths: Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. Several groups of Protestants took diverse paths that nonetheless led them to converge in the same place in 1957, uniting into the United Church of Christ (UCC). The UCC is a mainline Christian denomination, with 1.4 million members and nearly 6,000 congregations. The UCC is Open & Affirming and supports Just Peace. The UCC has a rich history: 1785: UCC ancestors ordain their first African-American clergy. 1853: UCC ancestors ordain their first woman minister. 1972: the UCC ordains its first openly gay pastor. 2005: the UCC supports equality in marriage. While The Journey is committed to being ecumenical (it respects all denominations) and interfaith (it respects all religions), we are part of the UCC, because the UCC is the denomination that seems most compatible with those on The Journey. From Eternity To Here In the spring of 2005, while still a student at Western Theological Seminary, Bill Freeman had a vision of planting a different kind of church among the tulips of Holland, a church for people who just don’t fit in to any of the other churches in the area. In late 2006, after pastoring a rural church for more than a year, Rev. Freeman gathered together a core group of people to begin thinking about starting a new church in Holland. The Journey was officially born when it held its first Sunday Celebration on February 11, 2007. Today, people turn to The Journey for inspiration, compassion, and justice. We hope, pray, and believe The Journey will always be a place where people have faith in God, hope in humanity, and love in community. 11:03 a.m. — Sunday Celebration, Sunday School, Child Care 451 Columbia, Holland, MI 49423; 616.894.0020; thejourneyholland.org Open & Affirming / Just Peace / United Church of Christ