What to Expect at St. Paul's
St. Paul's is an Open and Affirming Church,
a Safe Church
a Green Church.
We do not accept pat answers to our questions so we engage in open honest discussions.
We welcome all seekers including those who are part of a congregation that does not suit your growing need,
the formerly churched,
the un-churched,
those who call themselves agnostics,
those who are "spiritual but not religious,"
those who have been harmed or rejected by organized religion.
You will find a place with us.
Following Christ, we call out social intolerance that masks racism, sexism, classism and homophobic attitudes and behavior.
We question long held assumptions and promote critical thinking.
We understand that harm can result from loving our traditions more than we love those who do not share these traditions.
St. Paul's is an Open and Affirming Church,
a Safe Church
a Green Church.
We do not accept pat answers to our questions so we engage in open honest discussions.
We welcome all seekers including those who are part of a congregation that does not suit your growing need,
the formerly churched,
the un-churched,
those who call themselves agnostics,
those who are "spiritual but not religious,"
those who have been harmed or rejected by organized religion.
You will find a place with us.
Following Christ, we call out social intolerance that masks racism, sexism, classism and homophobic attitudes and behavior.
We question long held assumptions and promote critical thinking.
We understand that harm can result from loving our traditions more than we love those who do not share these traditions.
When You Join Our Worship Service
We have no dress code -- come as you feel comfortable.
We gather in our open sanctuary space.
We sit on comfortable chairs, facing the Sandias, sharing our time together with the most folk.
During our contemporary service we sing hymns that are uplifting, use scripture and inclusive language.
Our sermons are designed to offer you the opportunity to hear with a new ear that are designed to make you think.
As we have no child care, children are welcome in our space and we have a "children's sermon" that gives scripture in
understandable language.
Our worship space is handicap accessible and we offer listening devices for those who have challenges hearing .
On occasion, members of the congregation offer their own interesting sermons on contemporary concerns.
Since we do not encourage "group think" we welcome other viewpoints
We have no dress code -- come as you feel comfortable.
We gather in our open sanctuary space.
We sit on comfortable chairs, facing the Sandias, sharing our time together with the most folk.
During our contemporary service we sing hymns that are uplifting, use scripture and inclusive language.
Our sermons are designed to offer you the opportunity to hear with a new ear that are designed to make you think.
As we have no child care, children are welcome in our space and we have a "children's sermon" that gives scripture in
understandable language.
Our worship space is handicap accessible and we offer listening devices for those who have challenges hearing .
On occasion, members of the congregation offer their own interesting sermons on contemporary concerns.
Since we do not encourage "group think" we welcome other viewpoints
Weddings
Our open and affirming statement reminds us that all God's children are invited to participate in all aspects of our church life.
Whether you are straight or gay or transgendered, you are welcome here. We are honored to perform any wedding.
Our open and affirming statement reminds us that all God's children are invited to participate in all aspects of our church life.
Whether you are straight or gay or transgendered, you are welcome here. We are honored to perform any wedding.
Beliefs
We Believe God is still speaking.
God didn’t stop speaking at the end of the Bible.
God speaks through other people, nature, music, art, science, and the Bible.
Our faith is over 2,000 years old, our thinking is not.
We have the freedom and responsibility to engage the Bible with our experiences, questions and ideas.
Christ is the head of our church.
Our Core Values influence what we believe and how we act.
We are Jesus guided, intentionally inclusive, peace seeking, and justice committed.
Remembering these core values in our interactions, opinions, questions, doubts are respected and critical thinking is encouraged. We believe our compassionate God is still speaking.
Jesus Guided
As Christians, Jesus is our model for living Intentionally Inclusive.
We embrace all people and live safely in community with mutual respect
We choose language for God that expands the image God
Peace Seeking
We believe that our compassionate God requires us to act out of kindness, love, and forgiveness, creating peace among individuals and nations
Justice Committed
We recognize and respond to social intolerance
We challenge those in power when injustice is recognized
Our Mission
To create a nourishing Christian community where God’s love is expressed to each other, to our surrounding communities,
to our nation and to the world.
We Believe God is still speaking.
God didn’t stop speaking at the end of the Bible.
God speaks through other people, nature, music, art, science, and the Bible.
Our faith is over 2,000 years old, our thinking is not.
We have the freedom and responsibility to engage the Bible with our experiences, questions and ideas.
Christ is the head of our church.
Our Core Values influence what we believe and how we act.
We are Jesus guided, intentionally inclusive, peace seeking, and justice committed.
Remembering these core values in our interactions, opinions, questions, doubts are respected and critical thinking is encouraged. We believe our compassionate God is still speaking.
Jesus Guided
As Christians, Jesus is our model for living Intentionally Inclusive.
We embrace all people and live safely in community with mutual respect
We choose language for God that expands the image God
Peace Seeking
We believe that our compassionate God requires us to act out of kindness, love, and forgiveness, creating peace among individuals and nations
Justice Committed
We recognize and respond to social intolerance
We challenge those in power when injustice is recognized
Our Mission
To create a nourishing Christian community where God’s love is expressed to each other, to our surrounding communities,
to our nation and to the world.
Growing
St. Paul's United Church of Christ is a congregation in transition. Over several years, the congregation struggled to define their identity. As a church that started as a Presbyterian/Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)/United Church of Christ, that struggle was a huge undertaking. Belief systems were muddled as was governance and congregational authority.
As a result of the process, each of us suffered growing pains. Some of our pains resulted in loss of members who felt the call to move on. With a clearly defined vision articulated in our vision statement, we keep our goal in sight as we move forward. Here is our final vision statement: "Faith Evolving, Lives Transforming"
As part of the United Church of Christ, we believe that though our faith is 2,000 years old, our thinking is not. "Faith Evolving" helps us remember that new theology and new discoveries continue to mold our faith. "Lives Transforming" reminds us that our faith, our belief in God, does transform our lives. We offer both to those who choose to visit and join us.
We invite all to come! Whether you are tried and true United Church of Christ members, "spiritual but not religious," whether you have given up on religion or whether you were raised in a faith tradition that failed to grow as you did - join us for a few weeks. Try us out. See if we fit. If we do, stay long.
St. Paul's United Church of Christ is a congregation in transition. Over several years, the congregation struggled to define their identity. As a church that started as a Presbyterian/Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)/United Church of Christ, that struggle was a huge undertaking. Belief systems were muddled as was governance and congregational authority.
As a result of the process, each of us suffered growing pains. Some of our pains resulted in loss of members who felt the call to move on. With a clearly defined vision articulated in our vision statement, we keep our goal in sight as we move forward. Here is our final vision statement: "Faith Evolving, Lives Transforming"
As part of the United Church of Christ, we believe that though our faith is 2,000 years old, our thinking is not. "Faith Evolving" helps us remember that new theology and new discoveries continue to mold our faith. "Lives Transforming" reminds us that our faith, our belief in God, does transform our lives. We offer both to those who choose to visit and join us.
We invite all to come! Whether you are tried and true United Church of Christ members, "spiritual but not religious," whether you have given up on religion or whether you were raised in a faith tradition that failed to grow as you did - join us for a few weeks. Try us out. See if we fit. If we do, stay long.
