Like most Christians, Disciples Affirm:

* Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God
* All persons are God’s children.

Beliefs and practices usually associated with Dispicles include:

* Open Communion. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
* Freedom of belief. Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit study and prayer, and are expected to extend that freedom to others.
* Baptism by immersion. In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored.
* Belief in the oneness of the church. All Christians are called to be one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.
* The ministry of believers. Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service and spiritual growth.

The Chalice

The chalice symbolizes the central place of communion in worship for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The X-shaped cross of the disciple Andrew is a reminder of the ministry of each person and the importance of evangelism.

A symbol of commitment to Christian unity

Disciples congregations celebrate the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. At First Christian Church, the table is open. This means that all Christians are invited to respond to Christ’s invitation to draw closer to Him around the communion table. For Disciples, the open table is a powerful symbol of our deep commitment to Christian unity. The open table honors diversity even as it celebrates unity in Christ.

THE BEGINNINGS

The history of Elm Street Christian Church began a number of years before the formal organization took place. It was at the turn of the 20th century when the Disciples of Christ began to arrive in Greensboro with other permanent residents. Soon after 1900 the State Board began working on plans to “plant the cause in the important city of Greensboro.”

On October 15, 1911, Miss Etta Nunn, then state secretary of Woman’s Missionary Work, and Miss Florence Miller of Louisville, Kentucky, came to Greensboro to hold a rally in connection with the 50th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the interdenominational organized Woman’s Work for Foreign Missions in the nation. Dr. Jesse Caldwell, president of Atlantic Christian College came to Greensboro and spoke to the Disciples in the old YMCA auditorium. In March of 1913 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Carter, the initial organization of the women took place. Dr. Caldwell continued to speak each second Sunday, and Mr. C. C. Ware preached for several months while they were still meeting at the “Y”. There were 32 members in 1915, and the report of 1917 lists 62 members in the Bible School, of which F. L. Atkinson was the superintendent.

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