About Open Door UCC

Who We Are

On the corner of Cameron and Cork streets in downtown Winchester, a new thing is happening. Open Door UCC was originally born to address the spiritual and communal needs of German immigrants more than 280 years ago. Today, we are planting seeds for a new community in the 21st century. This is an exciting era of growth and seeking the Holy in our midst. COME. SEE FOR YOURSELF.

Read Our Church BioMeet Our Pastor

Open & Affirming Status

Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) 

We, as members of Open Door United Church of Christ in Winchester, Virginia, know that the love of Christ we are commanded to share is more than words. It calls forth actions of acceptance and camaraderie toward persons one and all. This command extends to our neighbors at home and abroad, including many who have historically been excluded from the church family who we now claim as siblings in Christ; for example, members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Before all the world we declare that no matter any person’s race, cultural background, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or economic status, that person is foremost a beloved child of the Living God. And we will treat persons in the way we have first been treated by God ourselves.

We declare ourselves to be open and affirming of all persons. We seek to embody in word and deed the cry for justice and mutual acceptance we see demonstrated in the person of Jesus the Christ. God created differences for the purpose of enriching the human experience and the survival of all. Through diversity we strive to grow and to practice a unity of faith that is enhanced by these individual differences. May this be so.

At Open Door we say:

God is Still Speaking. God’s word does not end with the Bible. We say do not put a period where God has put a comma: God still speaks to us. And we want to be in a position to hear.  To respond in kind.  This is our Vision.

Our Beliefs

We strive to embrace the evolution of nearly 14 billion years with an infinity to come after we are gone from this planet. We believe that the Theory of Evolution, Science, and the Arts are profound explorations of human curiosity into this infinite universe that enhance our appreciation of scripture and our understanding of our place in the world.  We draw from a variety of sources for inspiration.

We believe in the freedom of religion, and accept people who identify as Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and any other religion. We also accept pagan voices of God, and speakers on a variety of topics that bring us closer to the Holy foundation of all life. 

We believe in the freedom of expression and self-determination.  The precious gift of life is extended to all creatures great and small.  Where some churches define themselves by who they exclude, we do not.  We do not presume to speak for Giver of Life.  Instead we come to fellowship around our questions about life.  We bring our doubts and experiences to support one another.   We actively reach out to those who lack permanent residences and must live on the streets of Winchester. We accept those who identify in the LGBTQ+ community; people of any sexuality, gender identity, or expression on the LGBTQ+ spectrum at Open Door.

We believe in the power of new life and seek out those who live with addictions and/or who have been incarcerated.


We believe in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness whatever your birth status or past constraints. We believe in the separation of church and state. We do our best to open our most precious selves to a mystical union with the one Force that lives and moves in all that is the Universe.  We believe the forces of evolution have been at work for billions of years and will continue long past our own lives.  Our stance on life is to stand in awe of all that exists.