Today we’d like to introduce you to Dakota Norris.
Hi Dakota, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
5th Avenue Uniting Church came together a few short years ago from two separate denominational bodies in Springfield. Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the historic First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) joined together in the hope of creating a welcoming and affirming community whose mission is to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community to continue to unite not just the body, but the surrounding community and world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The joining of the congregations was very smooth to the surprise of many. The task after their coming together as a welcoming and affirming body has come with some challenges. The church hosts an annual Pride Picnic which continues to grow every year. We also participate in celebrations of other cultures with Juneteenth and Day of the Dead. For the individuals who make up this community, it is easy for them to love. It is felt as soon as you come into the worship space or event space in which they are gathered. Coming together to celebrate ALL people is a call that everyone is committed to. Our focus on expanding welcome at God’s table shares the belief and care that we have for all to feel welcome and accepted by God and this 5th Ave Community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
5th Avenue Uniting Church is a welcoming and affirming Christian community committed to creating a place of belonging for all people. Our work centers on building authentic relationships, engaging deeply with our community, and living out a faith rooted in love, justice, and grace. We strive to be a church where questions are welcomed, differences are honored, and no one is asked to leave part of themselves at the door.
We are known for thoughtful and engaging worship, thoughtful preaching, and a strong emphasis on community connection. Our ministry focuses not only on Sunday mornings, but on showing up throughout the week—partnering with local organizations, supporting our neighbors, and responding to real needs in tangible ways. We believe faith is something lived out in everyday life, not confined to a building or a single hour each week.
What we are most proud of is the way our congregation continues to grow in openness, diversity, and impact while remaining grounded in compassion. We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we are committed to walking alongside one another with humility and hope. What sets 5th Avenue Uniting Church apart is our conviction that the church should feel like a table, not a test. A place where all are truly welcome and love is practiced boldly.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The life and impact of 5th Avenue Uniting Church are the result of shared leadership, deep trust, and a community willing to imagine something new together. We owe a profound debt of gratitude to the leaders from both founding congregations who had the courage and vision to bring two church bodies together, as well as to the leadership group that faithfully guided us through the transition into this new body, or organism, as we often describe it. Their steady commitment, patience, and belief in what the church could become laid the foundation for everything we are today.
Our congregation as a whole deserves immense credit. These are people who show up with openness, generosity, and a genuine desire to live out love in tangible ways. Alongside them, our council, lay leaders, ministry teams, and volunteers shape the daily life of the church through worship, outreach, education, care, and hospitality. Their willingness to serve, listen, and grow together is what gives our community its heart.
At the center of our life together is a conviction that the church should be a table, not a test. We are truly open to all, and all are welcome—without caveats, conditions, or expectations that someone must change who they are to belong. We do not see preaching as a tool for correction or judgment, but as a springboard into mission, care, and conversation. Through preaching, we offer space to wrestle with faith and scripture, to name struggle honestly, to explore new perspectives, and to practice love more fully in the world beyond our walls.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.5thaveunitingchurch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5thaveunitingchurch?igsh=ZmV1bzVhODIzYTZ2
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DXeWuwfzj/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@5thavenueunitingchurch?si=LsgDuQXPwDhTwtpY
