About Sojourners

Sojourners is the United Church of Christ in Charlottesville, Virginia. The word “Sojourner” connotes movement, fluidity, pilgrimage, and inclusion of those who do not want set answers or rigid systems, but who, instead, want to be in a moving, changing relationship with God and with each other. Sojourners UCC is a community of faith, called to be on a journey together with other sojourners, always open to God’s call to move on.

The building that houses Sojourners United Church of Christ

Sojourners has had several homes in the Charlottesville area but has settled in a home of its own at 1017 Elliott Avenue in Charlottesville. This building, on the corner of Elliott and Monticello Avenues, is the former home of the Charlottesville First Church of the Nazarene.

Sojourners United Church of Christ is an “Open and Affirming” (ONA) congregation. This is a designation that refers to a congregation of the U.C.C. having adopted an official statement that declares that people of all sexual orientations will be welcomed as full partners in every area of the congregation’s life and ministry. Currently there are over 900 such congregations active in the U.C.C. From its beginning Sojourners has been committed to full inclusion of gay and lesbian members, to affirming and celebrating the gifts they bring to the community, and to being a voice on behalf of justice and fairness for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the community at large. For more information contact the United Church of Christ Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns.

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About the UCC Logo

The symbol of the United Church of Christ comprises a crown, cross and orb enclosed within a double oval bearing the name of the church and the prayer of Jesus, "That they may all be one" (John 17:21). It is based on an ancient Christian symbol called the "Cross of Victory" or the "Cross Triumphant." The crown symbolizes the sovereignty of Christ. The cross recalls the suffering of Christ—his arms outstretched on the wood of the cross—for the salvation of humanity. The orb, divided into three parts, reminds us of Jesus' command to be his "witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The verse from Scripture reflects our historic commitment to the restoration of unity among the separated churches of Jesus Christ.