Our DNA is composed of strong, independent thinkers, with a desire to see God's justice realized in our community and the world. In 2005, we became an Open and Affirming church, welcoming everyone. In 2006 we made a decision to tithe 10% of our giving to missions outside of our church walls. This, as well as a series of workshops called Bridge Builders, helped us to understand that a healthy church is transparent, able to work through conflict in an open and loving way and is also outward focused. That was the beginning of our transformation.
In 2007, our church was struck by lightning and suffered a devastating fire. We took our time deciding whether we should rebuild and discerned that God had a plan for us. Our mantra became, "the church building may be gone, but the church is still strong." As we sojourned for two and a half years as the church was rebuilt, we were invited to return to our original church building across the street (then owned by the Jewish Community as their place of worship). It was a time of returning to our roots and learning also about our Judaic roots as well.
Our commitment was to only rebuild if our building could be fully accessible to all, and we were able to put an addition on with a full sized elevator. We do not shrink in the face of adversity because we have learned that God will supply our "needs,” not necessarily our "wants." Even as we live into our faith in new ways during this time of COVID-19 social distancing, we anticipate God doing new and innovative things in our midst. We watch for new opportunities for reaching folks that may have felt distanced from their faith.
Every Sunday morning, our welcome includes these words: "Whoever you are… Wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. Regardless of gender, age, orientation, socio-economic status, disability, race or ethnicity or any other barriers you think may separate you from God - they do not exist here, and you are welcome.”
Your presence makes our time of celebration together complete.
