“The most important thing to remember about faith is that it is not apparent. Faith is promised, but never seen. If you think about the origins of United Church Homes, the people who put this beautiful organization in place never got to see what it looks like today, and the people who are shaping it now will never get to see what it will look like 100 years from now. That’s the beauty of faith!”

Michael Readinger, President and CEO
Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM)
United Church of Christ

Michael Readinger’s presentation at the Centennial Celebration was entitled, What’s Faith Got to Do With It? And, for a faith-based nonprofit organization like United Church Homes, his comments perfectly captured the essence of who we are, of what we’re celebrating as we begin our second century, and of what we one day may yet become.

The content of this issue of Spirit magazine, and of issues you’ll see over the next year, focuses on topics highlighted at our Centennial Celebration in Columbus in July. The range of topics covered — innovative approaches to care, diversity, holistic health, and the protection of assets and incomes — represent our interpretation of how United Church Homes views its mission of building a culture of community, wholeness and peace, and help shape our vision to create abundant life for all whose lives we touch.

Translating that vision into reality is what we do. It is work that is built upon faith, grounded in belief, and nurtured every day by those who live at, work for, and support United Church Homes. That’s why we celebrated the 100th anniversary of our founding — to reflect where we’ve come thus far on our journey, and to ask for God’s continuing grace and guidance for the coming century.

We work in faith to create a ministry that, God willing, will celebrate its second centennial in 2116. Although none of us today will share in that event, we work in faith to assure it will happen!