Who we are, and Whose we are!
St. Peter’s is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which in August 2009 passed at the Churchwide Assembly (the governing body of the church), a resolution opening ministry to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in committed relationships. Earlier the assembly also approved a resolution committing the church to find ways for congregations that choose to do so to "recognize, support and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships," though the resolution did not use the word "marriage."
We believe the actions of the assembly to be consistent with the gospel message of radical and sacred hospitality, that all are welcome and all are treated with the same respect, courtesy, and love that God has for each one of us in Christ.
We
affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female"
(Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation
extends to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Because
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their families are often
scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our
caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:
that
people of all sexual orientations and gender identities share the worth that
comes from being unique individuals created by God;
that
people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome within the
membership of St. Peter’s upon making a common, public Affirmation of faith;
and
that
as members of St. Peter’s, people of all sexual orientations and gender
identities are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general
life of this congregation.
Regardless
and irrespective of human laws, blessings and same sex unions are considered
marriages when performed at St. Peter’s with the same expectations of
preparations and participation in this worshipping communitiy.
At St. Peter’s we recognize as sacred and holy couples’ desire to marry, and perform marriages for all who are seeking to live out their baptism in an ethical and loving relationship.
We are catholic.
The liturgy of Holy Communion follows the form of the universal (catholic) church, a form which goes back to the earliest teachings of the church:
Scripture reading and Preaching
Prayers of intercession
Sharing of the Peace
Offering
Thanksgiving prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Meal
Sending
Our catholic identity is also evident in the ecumenical creeds we confess and in the hymns and prayers we use.
We are evangelical.
We proclaim the Good News of what God in Christ has done for us: in an act of unconditional love, has declared us beloved and forgiven, and has gathered us into one inclusive family.
We are reforming.
We change the way we sing or speak or dramatize the catholic form, if a new way will enable us to proclaim the Gospel more clearly.
Recent examples: the use of contemporary language, the inclusion of laity in worship, the ordination of women, the spirit of joy and the cultural diversity evident in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.- Baptized, we Live: Lutheranism as A Way of Live – Daniel Erlander, 1981
St. Peter’s Mission Statement
Responding to God’s grace in faith, we as St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church proclaim God’s Good News and Glory through Word, Sacrament and deed. This church aspires to be an inclusive and holistic symbol of God, seeking justice for all God’s creation, helping, teaching and reaching out through fellowship, music, art and God’s limitless love.