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| Priorities for University Congregational United Church of Christ, 2004-2009 |
Our commitment
Our priorities serve our desire and
struggle to commit ourselves to ministries that unapologetically make real
the radical message of Jesus, and help equip us to live out his teachings.
Sunday morning worship and education for all ages
Because worship and education
nurture Christian discipleship, make both intergenerational worship and
Christian education for all ages central to our time together on Sunday
mornings. Change our current Sunday morning schedule to offer one sanctuary
service, a chapel service and an education hour for all.
Christian education
Develop a Christian education program that
provides a sequential and age-appropriate curriculum with recognized
learning objectives for children and youth, and a challenging, engaging
curriculum for adults along the entire spectrum of knowledge, faith, and
discipleship. Honor the full range of learning style by including
opportunities in the creative arts—music, dance, drama and visual arts—for
all ages and skill levels.
Deepening commitment to membership
Foster a greater commitment to living into our
covenant by defining expectations of membership and encouraging members to
move along a path of deepening engagement. Expectations include
participating in worship and education, pledging, involvement in a small
group, hands-on service, and daily spiritual practices that focus our lives
on Christ
Family-friendly church
Be a family-friendly church where all members
are encouraged and given opportunities to involve themselves in the lives of
children and youth, and programs are designed so that parents, children,
youth, adults and elders are welcomed and encouraged in all areas of church
life.
Caring for our community
Strengthen and deepen our life together—in trials
of the spirit and in times of joy—by creating a community where all are
recognized as beloved children of God, and pastoral care by both laity and
clergy is extended wherever it is needed.
Stewardship
Provide an ongoing program of stewardship development
that inspires people to tie their spiritual growth with their desire to
share their gifts with others, informs them of how their gifts are used, and
enables us to bring our resources and program commitments into sustainable
balance.
Diversity
Recognize that all people have much to
teach each other about God's love, and strive to become a place of welcome,
accessibility and reconciliation for all, including, for example, those
marginalized by society, people of color, and people with disabilities.
Respect and foster diversity, and honor believers, seekers and doubters.
Evangelism
Communicate more broadly and intentionally who we are as a
church community and what we have to offer the world and each other, by
developing individual skills and comfort with evangelism, and by building
awareness of our calling and message throughout the Puget Sound area.
Team ministry
Strengthen, optimize and celebrate the clergy team
model, through collaboration with the congregation to explore the
ramifications of team ministry, address its challenges, and educate members
about it.
New Cornerstones
Complete the renovation of our church building as
envisioned and called for by our “Strengthening our Foundations” campaign.
Planning
Complete the planning process we have begun by
creating an implementation team to assist with carrying out our priorities
and evaluating progress, and by developing formal mission and vision
statements through which we can better communicate our calling as a
Christian community.
Adopted by vote of the congregation, June 13, 2004