About us
FRANKLIN CIRCLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH is a fully-inclusive, urban, mission-oriented congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who exists to care for the physical and spiritual needs of a culturally diverse community of the Ohio City neighborhood, in Cleveland, Ohio.
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OUR MISSION is to "Love God and Love People" (Matthew 22:37-39).
We do this by caring for the spiritual needs of a culturally diverse community, encouraging creativity, and awakening people to the joys of life with Jesus Christ.
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OUR MOTTO is "You Belong" (Romans 8:35-39).
We are open to and affirming of all people regardless of gender, race, age, culture, ethnic background, sexual identity or orientation, economic circumstance or difference in ability - as we continue to embody our ever-growing understanding of God's mission of justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8).
What we believe: Our beliefs and practices are very similar to other Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations. Click on the graphic to read a detailed explanation of our denominational beliefs and affirmations.
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We are an Open and Affirming Congregation. This means that our congregation has a deep and abiding commitment to honor the worth, dignity, gifts, and ministries of ALL of God’s children, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. We seek to include all persons in the full life and leadership of the congregation, just as Jesus would have us do.
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We are an Anti-Racist / Pro-Reconciling Congregation. Our congregation has a deep and abiding commitment to honor the worth, dignity, gifts and ministries of ALL of God’s children - celebrating our differences in race, ethnicity, national origin, language and culture. This also means that we ACTIVELY work to eradicate racism in our personal and communal lives and to include people of many races in the full life and leadership of the congregation, just as Jesus would have us do.
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We are an Accessible Congregation. We are committed to ALL of God’s children, including those who have differing abilities and disabilities. We also are committed in heart, mind, and reality to removing barriers so that all persons may be included in the full life and leadership of the congregation, just as Jesus would have us do.
Rev. Richard Hinkelman is an ordained minister, serving the congregation of Franklin Circle Church. At a young age, Richard felt a call to full-time ministry and upon graduating college spent the next 10 years serving at several churches in the Pittsburgh area. Richard eventually made his way to Cleveland, working full-time as a youth theatre director and volunteering as needed at FCC in the areas of worship leader, choir director, pianist, service programmer and occasional preacher. Having felt a call to return to full-time ministry, Richard has completed his seminary studies, receiving a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from MTSO, in Delaware, Ohio. Richard’s heart is for those who have experienced rejection by the Church and he has dedicated his life to spreading the message that: no matter who you are, God loves you and NOTHING can separate you from God’s love in Christ Jesus.
(Romans 8:35-39). You matter. Your story matters. You. Are. Loved.