For the past 6 weeks we as a parish have been exploring our why statement, We believe everyone needs a safe space to be loved for who they are already. Our why statement was created and refined by our leadership team and will continue to evolve as we as a parish adapt and change as we faithfully follow God’s call. This statement is our organizing scaffold. Each part of what we do and who we are is captured in this statement.
We believe- as a faith community we begin with our belief, which is an invitation to ask questions, get to know God, and to practice the sacraments and rituals of our Christian tradition. Under this idea is our worship team that plans the themes for morning worship & dessert church. Bible study fits here too as an exploration of our faith.
Everyone needs- recognizes that all humans have needs. We work to be intentional about meetings needs as we are called through service of our neighbors and justice work. Under this idea you will find our Spiritual Formation & Care Group working with our hunger ministry coordinator, Joelle McKnight and the Peace with Justice team.
A safe space- calls us to consider how we use our resources for God’s love to be made manifest. Here you will find our trustees and our finance teams, working to make our space safe and welcoming for all people.
To be loved- fellowship and community are incredibly important! The Spiritual Formation and Care team organizes social gatherings, sends cards to the community, and thinks about how we engage various groups within our community like families or retired folks. We are called to love one another in a variety of ways.
For who they are- leadership comes in all shapes and sizes. Everyone who is here in the parish has an impact on the community from their gifts to their personality to their wisdom to their love all people are important to the collective that is the parish. We encourage and celebrate people to share their gifts as they are called and to also know that their presence is gift enough.
Already- As you are is enough. We are on a journey of change and transformation together as we follow God. This does not mean that you have to change to be welcome here. All people of all backgrounds, genders, orientations, ages, and abilities are welcomed and celebrated at the parish.
This is a beautiful way of understanding who we are. All these pieces of the statement are linked and flow into each other as safe space underscores our theology and puts into practice the notion of already. This moment of the parish’s life really is amazing.
-Eilidh
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