"God Is Still Speaking," and the UCC Comma

Asked to design a new identity campaign for the United Church of Christ, project leader Ron Buford studied church history, visited churches, and tried out many ideas in hopes of capturing the spirit and essence of today's UCC denomination.

Many agreed that the words of Mayflower Pilgrim pastor John Robinson still strike a strong, deep chord: "O God, grant yet more light and truth to break forth from your word."  Buford felt a more modern and powerful way to express this same concept was to simply state:  "God is still speaking"

Buford's search also led him to the words of Gracie Allen (1895–1964), the zany partner and comic foil of husband George Burns (photo below) in their immensely popular and long-running comedy act that spanned from 1920s vaudeville and radio through film and television. 

After Gracie's passing, her husband is said to have found among her papers a letter left for him. The letter included the phrase, "Never place a period where God has placed a comma."

In Buford's creative fermentation of study, prayer, reflection, and sharing ideas and visions with colleagues, Gracie Allen's advice to her husband became linked with the Still-Speaking concept as dual signature elements of the UCC's new identity campaign:    

Never place a period where God has placed a comma –
                             God is still speaking,

The iconic black on red comma image at the top of this page was conceived by UCC staff designer Randy Varcho as a simple, evocative symbol to graphically represent the power of the idea.

The UCC website states that the goals for the Comma and "God is Still Speaking" initiative are to:

• Let the world know that there is a church unlike any they may have known.
• Speak to the alienated and those seeking a spiritual home.  Invite people to come...and let them know that,  "No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."
• Raise the knowledge and pride of members.
• Embrace a new common brand and theme so the United Church of Christ is instantly recognizable.

To find out more about the United Church of Christ's “God Is Still Speaking” campaign, visit: www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking

Source:  www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/about/faq.html -- specifically, the sections titled “Where did  'Never place a period where God has placed a comma' come from?” and "What is the church trying to accomplish?"