"A New Creed" is an affirmation of faith used widely in the worship services of the United Church of Canada. It was originally adopted in 1968 by the 23rd General Council. Originally known as "A Contemporary Expression of Christian Faith," it began with the line "Man is not alone." It was amended in 1980 to make its language inclusive, and again in 1994 to add the words "to live with respect in Creation." The creed is not meant to replace the ancient Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed, but to act as a supplement to these statements of faith. In practice very few United Church congregations use either of the traditional creeds.
A New Creed
We are not alone,
- we live in God's world.
We believe in God:
- who has created and is creating,
- who has come in Jesus,
- the Word made flesh,
- to reconcile and make new,
- the Word made flesh,
- who works in us and others
- by the Spirit.
We trust in God. We are called to be the Church:
- to celebrate God's presence,
- to live with respect in Creation,
- to love and serve others,
- to seek justice and resist evil,
- to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
- our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
- God is with us.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
