Whether you stumbled upon us by chance or came here with purpose, that is no accident. Here at The Reformed Church — also known as Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ — we’re passionate about the transformative power of love. It's a love that grounds us in tradition, renews us through the Spirit, and invites us to reimagine what it means to live out our faith in today’s world. Read more from our pastor below:
Welcome to The Reformed Church: A Story of Love, Resilience, and Reformation
Hi there! My name is TJ, and I want to share a bit of our story — a story of how love and faith helped us navigate one of the most uncertain times in recent history and how that journey continues to shape who we are today.
When I arrived here at Trinity Reformed UCC in Scottdale, it was the peak of the pandemic in 2020. Everything we had once known about worship, connection, and community life had shifted overnight. We were faced with the daunting task of figuring out how to be the church without the ability to gather in person. The challenge was real: we had no internet, no website, and not even a church phone number.
I vividly remember calling the internet company to get things set up. I had already started building a website called lovestrucc — short for Love Scottdale Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ. As I spoke with the representative about the phone line, she paused for a moment and asked if I’d like a number that could spell out a word. Then she suggested: 724-220-LOVE. I was stunned. In that moment, it felt like more than just a convenient phone number; it was a holy nudge, a clear sign that our mission was meant to be anchored in love.
From there, we leaned into that calling. We rebuilt our church — not just physically or digitally, but spiritually and missionally. We redefined our mission statement to the simple yet profound truth: Love First. This wasn’t just about surviving a pandemic; it was about reclaiming who we are as followers of Christ — a people called to love without conditions, without exceptions.
We connect with people both locally and beyond in many ways. Over the years, we've supported our community through initiatives like partnering with our local library, providing assistance to the fire departments, and hosting a church dartball team that gathers regularly for fun, fellowship, and friendly competition. We've long welcomed an Alcoholics Anonymous group into our space every Sunday, offering a safe and supportive environment for their journey toward healing and wholeness.
More recently, we've expanded our outreach by installing an outdoor food pantry to provide accessible nourishment for those in need. We've opened our doors to offer space for individuals with special needs to participate in yoga, cooking, and music classes in partnership with Gene Cook Supports, LLC. Additionally, we've deepened our engagement with the local ministerium — the Scottdale Area Association of Churches — to collaborate with other faith communities and serve our neighbors more effectively. We've leaned into the work of reformation, not only within our congregation but alongside neighboring churches and faith communities.
Now, we’re embarking on a new chapter — a three-year strategic plan to build a robust, hybrid ministry that is both deeply rooted in our local community and accessible online to meet people where they are. Life is busy; we get it. Times are challenging; we know. And faith isn’t something that should add to that weight — it should lighten the load, offer hope, and equip us to thrive, not just survive.
In addition to serving as lead pastor here, I also serve as the President of the Scottdale Area Association of Churches and the Westmoreland Association President. Our association is going through a reformation of its own, as part of a broader restructuring effort within our conference and denomination. While some of that might sound unfamiliar if you're not immersed in UCC polity, I’ll use this space to share updates on that process and its impact on our community.
At the heart of it all, our vision remains clear: we want to walk alongside people, providing tools of faith to navigate life’s joys and challenges with hope and purpose. This blog will serve as a companion for that journey — a place to share reflections, updates, and resources that help us live into that vision.
So, welcome to this sacred space. Welcome to a church where love comes first, always. And welcome to the reformation — not a historical event confined to the past, but a living, breathing work of God’s Spirit here and now.
Join us. Let's journey together. Let's be the church that loves first, reforms often, and meets people wherever they are.
Welcome to The Reformed Church. Welcome to the Reformation.
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