ABOUT US
We are grateful for your presence and have a place for you here.
SPIRIT OF THE CROSS CHURCH
Who We Are...
Relevant. Connected.
Spiritually Alive.
Spirit of the Cross is a community of faith which proclaims the good news of God’s love, grace, inclusion, liberation, and affirmation. We are a church devoted to spiritual growth through worship of God and committed to ministries of love and compassion as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at Spirit of the Cross. Members and regular attendees come from wide-ranging church backgrounds - some from no previous church background at all. Come just as you are!
Our Core Values
As an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, we extend an extravagant welcome and affirmation to persons of every sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnic background, age, physical or mental ability, socio-economic background, and marital status
We affirm the dignity, worth, and equality of every person since all are created in the image of God.
We provide a loving spiritual home to all, no matter where a person is on life’s spiritual journey. We are a church where a person can pursue an authentic relationship with God in a safe and open environment with no judgment.
We worship in a Christ-centered and Spirit-filled manner. Worship connects us to God and each other through prayer, music, arts, liturgy, and spoken word and inspires us to go into the world and serve.
We build our faith community through the ministry of presence and by offering emotional, spiritual, and tangible support for each other.
We believe God calls us to be servants to each other in the church and in the community with compassion, respect, and inclusivity.
We work for a just world for all through Christ-centered social justice and by working for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems.
What We Believe
Founded in the interest of offering a church home to all who confess and believe in Christ, Spirit of the Cross moves in the mainstream of Christianity.
Spirit of the Cross affirms the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the United Church of Christ Statement of Faith.
God is Still Speaking
We are Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC). UCC is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination with over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the United States. The UCC believes in God's extravagant welcome for all, a God that is still speaking, and a God that is all-loving and inclusive.
Established October 1986
From our humble beginnings of 13 members as the Metropolitan Church of Huntsville, we have grown to a vibrant community of followers of Christ as the Spirit of the Cross.
Rev. J. Richard Barham
SENIOR PASTOR
In ministry for nearly four decades, Richard is passionate about proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, the affirming love of God, and the hope of God’s reign on earth. Richard has been the senior pastor of Spirit of the Cross since December 1999.
Rev. J. Richard Barham
SENIOR PASTOR
In ministry for nearly four decades, Richard is passionate about proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, the affirming love of God, and the hope of God’s reign on earth. Richard has been the senior pastor of Spirit of the Cross since December 1999.
Rev. Cathy George
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Since hearing God’s call in 1998 and answering with “Here I Am, Lord,” Cathy has continued her ministry of sharing God’s inclusive and unconditional love for all people. Cathy not only preaches the importance of living daily the values of God’s Kingdom, but she also encourages the unity, acceptance, and love of others to which Jesus calls us. Cathy advocates and encourages others, both inside and outside the church, to stand for justice and equality for all God’s children.
Rev. Cathy George
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Since hearing God’s call in 1998 and answering with “Here I Am, Lord,” Cathy has continued her ministry of sharing God’s inclusive and unconditional love for all people. Cathy not only preaches the importance of living daily the values of God’s Kingdom, but she also encourages the unity, acceptance, and love of others to which Jesus calls us. Cathy advocates and encourages others, both inside and outside the church, to stand for justice and equality for all God’s children.