Who We Are -Our Mission

We are people on a journey, seeking to share our faith in a wide variety of ways. We may on the outside look rather traditional with the A frame building, but inside you’ll find young and old who share the love of God in word and action. We believe in the grace and love of God that extends to all people, not just those who hold particular set of beliefs. Here you will find acceptance, a place to find community and an opportunity to participate in sharing your faith in the wider world. We are a “hands on” community putting our concern for God’s people and world into action. We are God’s hands. This is seen in our support of community programs, and our community meal.

We are a hospitable and welcoming community. Although we have not studied the Open and Affirming program of the United Church of Christ, we have welcomed and worked with GLBT clergy and laity who have been active and welcomed in our church.

OUR MISSION

The Members of Salem United Church of Christ worship God, follow Jesus who is the Christ, and respond in love to the power of the Holy Spirit. We accept the Risen Christ's call to, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to the whole creation." We understand that it is our mission to:

· Encourage faithful and thoughtful study of scripture and joyful worship of God

· Celebrate, welcome and affirm the dignity of all as God’s children

· Affirm the freedom and diversity we find in the United Church of Christ

· Demonstrate the Christian faith through service to the wider community, the nation and the world

· Study and act on the biblical call for mission

· Nurture our Members

· Help people in need

· Act as faithful stewards of the earth and all of God's creation

· Recognize and nurture God's loving purposes in our individual lives, our personal relationships, our communities, and among the nations of the world

· Encourage and walk with each person’s spiritual journey

· Understand and respect that God’s presence is expressed in love of one another

· Demonstrate justice and peace

· Respect other Christian traditions and participate in inter-faith dialog

· Increase the love of God and neighbor through the Church’s mission

· Take our faith beyond the walls of our building

· Serve the world through hospitality, love, healing, justice and peace

We welcome all people to join us in this mission, valuing the benefits that diversity can bring to the Church family. In all things love.(Nov 14, 2010)

About the United Church of Christ...

The United Church of Christ is a progressive, inclusive, historical denomination that was created in 1957 from the merger of two denominations: the Evangelical Reformed and the Congregational. It traces its roots back to the Puritans. Each church is in covenant with one another and with the United Church of Christ, having its own autonomy, and electing its own leaders and clergy. For further information on the United Church of Christ, go the the website www.ucc.org.