W elcome to From Puritans to Progressives, a three-session workshop where we’ll trace the unlikely journey of our church tradition from its origins in Puritan New England to the progressive, inclusive Christianity practiced at Hillside Community Church and Sanctuary United Church of Christ today.

At first glance, it might seem impossible that our open, justice-centered faith could have grown from the rigid theology and strict social order of the Puritans. After all, as H.L. Mencken famously defined Puritanism as “The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.” And yet, here we are, rooted in that very tradition, standing boldly for inclusivity, compassion, and justice in its broadest forms.

How did such a transformation happen? Over the next three sessions, we’ll explore this improbable evolution. We’ll begin by looking at who we are as a denomination today, then work our way back through the mergers and theological shifts that shaped the United Church of Christ (UCC). Finally, we’ll dive into the origins of our tradition, examining the values that guided the Pilgrims and Puritans, and how those very values—autonomy, covenant, conscience—paved the way for the radically progressive faith we embody now.

This workshop will show that while our history is full of contradictions and surprises, the core belief in community and spiritual integrity has persisted, allowing us to grow into a denomination that fiercely advocates for justice, diversity, and love. Let’s explore together how such an unlikely tradition continues to shape who we are and how we engage the world today.