UCC Everywhere ready to keep churches connected in a digital world

It’s a digital world, and for United Church of Christ congregations struggling with a web presence, there is help.

The UCC Everywhere (UCCE) program is open to assist more churches with creating a user-friendly online presence. Now using an updated and more user-friendly platform, UCCE is making it easier than ever to reach potential and current congregation members through the World Wide Web.

UCCE is a digital marketing program meant to help churches stand out by creating modern, easy-to-manage and custom websites that share messaging with faith-seekers online. First introduced at General Synod 32 in 2019, it began as a pilot program with a small group of churches. Today, UCC Everywhere supports more than 30 churches across the country, with more than 15 conferences represented. 

“In this age of having information at our fingertips, we feel that it’s important that churches have a presence on the internet,” said Charles Jefferson, Jr., director of the UCC Marketing and Communications department. “Unlike other web hosting services, UCCE is designed specifically for UCC churches, with competitive pricing in an effort to make a congregation more viable in this 21st-century digital world.”

Benefits and features

Site users have shared that they find it easy to interact with a custom built UCCE website. Each page and all content is designed to optimize the user experience, with dedicated assistance from UCCE staff members. This allows for high-quality and enjoyable visits.

Churches who sign up for website through UCCE get customized branding, incorporating the logo, mission, as well as images of the building, staff and congregation. A contact page offers custom form capabilities so users can quickly and easily get in contact with leadership.

Giving to local congregations is encouraged with a prominent display, featuring a highlighted donation button in the header, making sure users know where to find financial information, allowing giving with ease. The giving page includes a section highlighting special mission offerings. Also, UCCE allows integration with software such as Tithe.ly, PayPal, and Vanco for receiving donations.

The design is responsive on both laptops and mobile platforms. This allows for optimized use on all digital devices. Users will feel up-to-date as the latest news and devotionals from the UCC National Setting is integrated.

UCCE makes it easy

Since the initial launch of UCCE, the program has improved by expanding customer service, switching to the user-friendly WordPress platform, and creating a content-support package.

Web and Digital Specialist Aidan Spencer serves as the dedicated customer support person. She is available to talk through any questions before a church subscribes and to walk participants through the onboarding process. She also helps with any technical questions after site launch.

The newest version of WordPress is customized to fit the needs of churches specifically, with template pages for events, news, sermons, staff information, and church history. There is a customizable menu. Alert banners let visitors know about urgent matters, and adding new pages is easy.

Because the program is so popular, many church members may already be experienced with it, making it easier for volunteers to manage.

Praise from a current UCCE user

“UCC Everywhere very much matches what I would consider a professional website and the content support package was well worth it to get it all set up and going,” said pastor of Zion UCC, Rev. Nick Knoblauch of Union, Missouri. “My big goal since arriving here has been trying to be as cooperative and collaborative as we can, and I think the more that we can do to be a part of that wider, covenantal body of churches, the better. It’s really nice to be in-house, and it makes it feel like it was made with us in mind.”

UCCE is now accepting new churches, and it’s easy to request a demonstration. If interested, fill out the form to be contacted by UCCE staff.

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