WHO WE ARE

We’re eager to know you, and we’re excited to share with you the marvelous ways God is working in our church.

Our Vision & Mission

Vision

A Christ-centred community that is making disciples, caring for people and impacting our world, for the glory of God.

Mission

As a missional and evangelical people, Ridgemount United Church is called and sent to be passionate worshippers who love and serve God through faithful discipleship, authentic fellowship, comprehensive stewardship and compassionate outreach, so that all may believe the good news and experience new life in Jesus Christ.

Values

Faith
Prayer
Biblical Integrity
Excellence
Teamwork
Respect
Creativity

Our Beliefs

Our belief can be summed up in the words of the Apostle’s Creed:

“I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.”

[Taken from: The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands: My Church, 2001]

For information on the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, visit the website at ucjci.com

Our Story

Ridgemount United Church is a member-congregation within the United Church in Jamaica & the Cayman Islands (UCJCI).

The UCJCI emerged out of the union of the Congregational, Disciples of Christ and Presbyterian churches in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. As an evangelical Protestant church in the Reformed Tradition, the UCJCI traces its roots to the 16th-Century Protestant Reformation in Europe.

Ridgemount was planted in 1837 as part of what would become the Congregational Union of Jamaica. We were previously known as the Ridgemount Congregational Church.

From its early days until now the Ridgemount Church has contributed to the growth and development of Mandeville and its environs. God’s mission of renewal and reconciliation through Christ remains our inspiration.

 

Our Logo

  • The Cross – that which unites the antecedent denominations, Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church.
  • The Open Bible – represents the centrality of the Word of God. This was a significant feature in the logo of the former Congregational church.
  • The Chalice – represents Christ’s death and resurrection; the symbol used by the former Disciples of Christ.
  • The Burning Bush – ‘burnt but not consumed’ the perpetual flame of the gospel. A symbol of Presbyterianism.
  • The Sea – symbolic of a church in two nations, the witness across the Caribbean sea as well as a witness not confined to the boundaries of the shores of the Caribbean.

[Taken from: The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands: My Church, 2001]

Ridgemount United Church Ministers
  • William Slatyer  (1834-1850)
  • George Hall (1851-1853)
  • Josiah Andrews (1853-1854)
  • William Alloway  (1856-1877)
  • Charles Wookey (1878- 1895)
  • George Bailey (1897-1903)
  • James Watson (1904-1921)
  • William Priestnal (1921-1937)
  • George Lacey (1937-1939)
  • Ross Brown (1939-1940)
  • Thomas Cox (1941-1948)
  • Henry Thomas (1949-1957)
  • Archie Scott (1958-1964)
  • Earl Thames (1965-1971)
  • Robert Longmore (1972-1997)
  • J. Oliver Daley (1999-2016)
  • Anthony Chung (2016- Present)

Our Staff

Pastor

Rev Anthony Chung is our pastoral leader here at Ridgemount. With his gifts of  preaching, teaching, pastoral care and leadership, he seeks to discern and pursue  God’s vision for the congregation.  Pastor Anthony believes that God has called us to be a people and a place that builds faith, offers hope and shows love to all. Rev. Chung is married to Sheryl, and together they strive to be a blessing to the life and work of the Church and the community.

Office Administrator

Mrs. Novia Manning  leads the office staff and provides a new perspective. She is a sweet soul yet firm when she needs to be. She believes we all need Jesus and that “This too shall pass”. Mrs. Manning is married and has two wonderful sons.