Our Beliefs & Values
Creeds & Articles
Mission
As a space of rest, peace, and spiritual wellness, we desire to cooperate with God in the transformation of our souls. Sacred rhythms are the undercurrent of what we do. In our gatherings we hope that our intentionally contemplative stillness assists in a time of rest while we listen and respond to our Creator. We actively draw from the best of our ancient faith in ways designed to immerse and ground ourselves while being light to dark places. The gospel of peace is the message that Jesus gives to those who trust in Him (John 14:27; Romans 10:15).
Values
Beauty
We believe beauty inspires us in accordance of our view of God - The ultimate source of creativity, beauty, artistry, and light. Our desire for and orientation toward beauty is in fact a desire and orientation toward God. We also believe that this orientation leads us to repentance and enables our continual spiritual formation. Beauty is also a form of resistance - the light of beauty pushing back darkness.
Communion
Communion is intrinsic to a life of faith. Communion with our Creator and with one another. We believe justice is the name of what happens when "love your neighbor as yourself" becomes real. Everyone longs for a sense of belonging. We weren't meant to live out faith in a vacuum of isolation. To practice the work of the people (liturgy) on Sundays will help us to be the liturgy Monday through Saturday.
Peace
"Shalom" is the Hebrew word for "peace." It means something like everything in its place, flourishing as God intends. We find God in all things and all things in God. It is imperative for our souls to have space to calibrate our posture towards the Divine. Out of this posture comes wellness and peace. Blessed are the peacemakers. - Jesus. Living The Way is shalom.
Unity Prayer
All are welcome at the table of God
Every human is God’s child
For Christ brings peace to all
Tearing down every hostile wall
So that the many become one
One heart
One family
One new humanity
For God who is Love
And Christ who is all and in all
Show no partiality and make no distinction
So neither race nor class
Gender nor sexuality
Politics nor religion
Personality nor nationality
Count for us or against us
The light of Christ enlightens all
Christ the prisoner and the naked
Christ the hungry and the sick
Christ the thirsty and the stranger
Christ the Other
May God’s Spirit hover over our chaos
Our hatred and indifference
Descend in our hearts with love and pleasure
Blow us out into the world to listen and serve
And set us ablaze to forgive and reconcile
For all are welcome at the table of God
Every human is God’s child.
Source: (Good Shepherd New York)