Four-Church Exchange Program for Durham UCC churches

	The Exchange Program began in 1984 when the Rev. Dan Squires, The Rev. J.C. Cheek and the Rev. Ron Johnson visited congregations in the Evangelical Church of the Union in West Germany. That ongoing experience gave these pastors an opportunity to know one another in unique ways. Upon their return to the United States, they began to look for ways to become more connected as United Churches of Christ. Out of this process, the Exchange program was born in the Fall of 1987. This photo was taken during an Exchange Celebration in 2007.
	From the beginning, members of each congregation attended a “sister” congregation for three months, serving in the same roles they held in their home churches. The goal was to learn from one another, to share mutual spiritual gifts and to experience differing traditions.
	In the recent past, members of four congregations annually shared in several joint worship services and a late summer service and picnic. Offerings during these services were used to assist homeless family, the Community Kitchen and victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters. Recreational activities included picnics and barbeques.
	The Exchange Program earned awards and recognition from national, regional and local religious and social service organizations. The Program was honored in 2005 by the addition of First Congregational UCC to the “sisterhood”. The First Congregational-Mt. Calvary-Pilgrim-Zion Temple alliance looks to its rich and varied history with pride.