Vision 2024 – 2025

The following is found in our Church handbook which I have tried to hold to.
The emphasis in our teaching is as follows.

• There is one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who alone is good and who is steadfast, gracious and compassionate.We uphold the dignity of all people, made in God’s image, each created to love, be holy, be chaste and care for creation.
• All people sin and fall short of the glory of God.There is one Lord, Jesus Christ, who though fully God, took our human nature and was fully man, died for us on the cross and rose again. Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.Through the work of the cross, we are redeemed from sin, justified by faith alone and reconciled to God.
• Jesus Christ exercises his authority in the church by the Holy Spirit and through the Christian Bible.There is forgiveness of sins through the work of the cross, there is resurrection of the body, and there is life everlasting.

Our practices include meeting together, baptism, table fellowship and the Church Meeting.

• In meeting together, we aim to praise and worship God, hear God’s word, receive his gifts and build the church up, encouraging the practice of regular prayer, study of the Christian Bible and cheerful giving. We think it is important to listen to one another and that the meeting is a safe place to explore our faith and be heard.
• In the case of baptism the church respects varying viewpoints, while actively encouraging believers baptism and thanksgiving for all children.
• When we eat together, all are welcome. In this we imitate Jesus who welcomed all to the table. In breaking bread we remember Jesus’ body broken for us on the cross and in pouring out wine and sharing it, we remember Jesus’ blood poured out for us so that our sins are forgiven. We approach the table in humility and thankfulness. We proclaim the mystery of the cross, that while we were still sinners Christ died for us, Christ is risen and Christ will come again.
• Members voting means that, in a properly called and ordered Church Meeting, every member is able to contribute and vote on the matters being discussed. All matters to do with the governance and direction of the church are put before the Church Meeting.