Open and Affirming

We are an Open and Affirming church. Recognizing that gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered individuals have been ostracized from full participation in the institutional church, we at St. Paul's UCC wish to state unequivocally that all people, whoever they may be, are welcome to join with us in our spiritual journey. We believe that all people are sacred in the eyes of God and, therefore, are entitled to enjoy full and equal participation in the life of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, including the performance of weddings or commitment ceremonies if two individuals desire such a ceremony.

Covenant on Racism

Racism is complex and difficult to address. We recognize that God is calling us to reflect in ourselves and our role in it. We agree to focus, to listen, and be respectful. We promise God and one another that we will challenge ourselves and that we will not let uncertainty or discomfort deter us, because God's children deserve no less than that from us. We will sing a new song.

Environmental Statement

Stewardship of the earth and its natural resources is a sacred mandate of Christian life. We believe people of faith are called to practice energy conservation, to reduce pollution and waste as well as to assure environmental justice for all creation and for future generations.

We seek to cultivate attitudes of sacred covenanting among peoples and between humanity and the non-human creation. We call upon members to join in displaying courageous leadership in:

•  modeling ecologically responsible life-styles;
• developing a communal spirituality able to connect persons to this good creation of God;
• and advocating for economic and technological change so that our earth has a green and sustainable future of just peace for all.

St Paul's United Church of Christ embraces this stewardship by actively practicing conservation in responsible use of all of earth's resources including water and energy. We are an Energy Star Congregation and a Seattle City Light "Green Up" partner.

Our Mission

We, the members and friends of St. Paul's are called in covenant with God and one another to provide an environment of emotional and physical safety in which people of all races, genders, ages, cultures and sexual orientations may come and spiritually grow at his/her own pace. All are welcome to come without judgment or criticism.

Through Christian fellowship, we seek to provide opportunities to experience God's spirit and grace in community. We are committed to developing a fellowship where each member has a place and can experience their own rebirth and growth into mature spiritual individuals.

We are inspired by the mission of the Greater UCC church to share in the care of our wider community and unite in the struggle for social justice.

We celebrate God's grace and humbly serve all people in the name of Jesus Christ.

Covenant of St. Paul's United Church of Christ

We intend to honor each individual's freedom to grow at his/her own pace without undue pressure to conform to any rigid sets of doctrine or theological points of view.

We intend, with unfaltering commitment, to honor the diversity in God's creation. "There is a place for everyone" at St. Paul's.

We intend, with unfaltering commitment, to be an Open and Affirming community.

We intend to be sensitive and receptive to the needs and wants of each other, remembering that honest communication is part of our foundation and that every person has a right to express their opinions in the life of the church.

We intend to celebrate our lives together through meaningful traditions, sacraments, and special occasions.

We commit to supporting the Christian education of adults and children by creating a variety of learning opportunities designed to engage children and adults of all ages.

We intend to unite our efforts to sustain and support the sense of loving community within the individual and church family.

We commit to the common nurturing of our children as spiritual beings. We commit to our support of each other in health, in sickness, in joy, in sorrow, in youth and age. Our role as extended family is very important to us.

We commit to working together beyond our individual and church family using our God-given gifts to contribute to the betterment of our immediate community and world, through service, support of national and world concerns, and global ministry.

 

Affiliated with The Center for Progressive Christianity

As a progressive church, believing that religion doesn't have to be irrelevant, ineffectual, or repressive, St. Paul's is affiliated with the Center for Progressive Christianity.