The Meaning of the Emblem of The United Church of Christ

The emblem of the United Church of Christ is based on the ancient Christian symbol known as the Cross of Victory or the Cross Triumphant.

Traditionally, this symbol – the Cross surmounted by the crown and all of it atop the orb – symbolizes the kingship of the risen Christ over all the world.

The orb, representing the world, is divided into three parts to signify Jesus’ command to His disciples: “You shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” ( Acts 1:8)

For the United Church of Christ, this emblem, rich in the traditions of the past and alive with hope for the future, is particularly appropriate. For this reason, around the perimeter of the emblem is the name of the denomination and Jesus’ words, a prayer which He prayed to God in the Gospel of John (17:21), “that they may all be one.”