Our church has accepted the PC(USA)’s invitation to become a Matthew 25 church. This invitation asks us to follow Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 25:31–46 by becoming active disciples and making a difference in our community and the world.

The Matthew 25 initiative asks us “to act boldly and compassionately to see our neighbors through Jesus’ eyes and serve those who are marginalized or in need — people who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, strangers, poor or oppressed in other ways and in need of welcoming”. A motion was passed that we would become a Matthew 25 church.

As part of our Matthew 25 commitment, Session pledged that our congregation would work to embrace all three areas of focus:

· Building congregational vitality by challenging people and congregations to deepen their faith and get actively and joyfully engaged with their community and the world.

· Dismantling structural racism by advocating and acting to break down the systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.

· Eradicating systemic poverty by working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.

We pray that you will enthusiastically embrace the call to make a difference in our community and in our congregation.