Welcome
Welcome to UPC! For the past 150 years God has been doing amazing things in this church and in the Laramie community. At the present time we are blessed to have an active children’s and youth ministry, as well as a very exciting College Ministry (C4). In addition we have a 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning service and opportunities throughout the week for people of all ages to grow in their faith. We are excited that you have found us and hope that you will join us as we seek to follow faithfully our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Presbytery of Wyoming
The Presbytery of Wyoming ranges across the State of Wyoming encompassing 28 churches. We are members of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. and are part of the Synod of the Rocky Mountains.
Click here to view Presbytery of Wyoming’s website.
About Presbyterians
A Brief History of Presbyterians
Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
Calvin did much of his writing from Geneva, Switzerland. From there, the Reformed movement spread to other part of Europe and the British Isles. Many of the early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and Ireland. The first American Presbytery was organized at Philadelphia in 1706. The first General Assembly was held in the same city in 1789. The first Assembly was convened by the Rev. John Witherspoon, the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence.
What is Distinctive about the Presbyterian Church?
Presbyterians are distinctive in two major ways: they adhere to a pattern of religious thought known as Reformed theology and a form of government that stresses the active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members.
Presbyterian Theological Beliefs
Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What they mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe.
Our knowledge of God and God’s purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job – ministers and lay people alike – to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.
Who are we Presbyterians?
As far back as 1837 the General Assembly declared that the church, by its very nature, is a missionary society whose purpose is to share the love of God in Jesus Christ in word and deed and with all the world. Witnessing to the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world, Presbyterians engage in mission activities, seek to alleviate hunger, foster self-development, respond to disasters, support mission works, preach the gospel, heal the sick, and educate new generations for the future. In partnership with more than 150 churches and Christian organizations around the world, the missionary efforts of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) involve approximately 1,000 volunteers and compensated personnel.
United Presbyterian Church Affiliations
United Church is a member of the Presbytery of Wyoming, The Synod of the Rocky Mountains and the Presbyterian Church USA.