A vital aspect of our congregation is the way we welcome, accept, affirm and care for each other. This way of being was put into place by a group of powerful elders who were wiling to change and embrace the multicultural people around us. They were willing to risk to make it happen and continue to model it today. Ways this is manifested in our community include:    

• Deacons as pastoral care givers
• Covenant groups
• New member class
• Mission groups and “sounding a call”
• Sunday school classes
• Youth ministry team
• Our Wednesday evening meal and other times of fellowship
• Public witness—e.g., Gay Pride, Interfaith Disabilities Network and others    

Through these activities and other happenings in the church, we find ourselves in a community described as “better than family.” In this nurturing environment, we feel secure enough to acknowledge our brokenness, to affirm our gifts, to let ourselves be challenged to take risks and to grow.  We profess a belief in the invitation to “Come as you are but don’t stay as you are.”

We are intentional and passionate in our care for each other, which in turn equips us for our ministry beyond this nurturing environment.