WE ARE ALL ABOUT MISSION…
Reaching out to the world beyond our doors. Through the “Church in Society Council” and through small group ministries known as “Apostle Groups,” the church extends its reach to those in need. We address issues related to housing and homelessness with volunteer and dollar contributions to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Lewis Shelter for Women and Children, and the Simpson Shelter for homeless street people. We address hunger through Bread for the World, the 360 Community Food Shelf and Feed My Starving Children.
We also promote peace and justice through contributions to the Center for Victims of Torture, Joint Religious Legislative Coalition and the Minnesota Aids Project, among others. Social service is also a priority and we contribute to social services provided by the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, and the Kwanzaa Church and Freedom School in North Minneapolis.
Our world mission efforts include a partnership with a church in Hungary, support for a missionary in Indonesia, and contributions to Doctors Without Borders. Finally we support those who educate us about environmental protection through an Apostle Group known as “Earth Angels.”
Our church building also serves as a “Headquarters for Ministry.” The building was designed to serve the community and during the week our facilities are utilized by Girl Scouts, Alcoholic’s Anonymous, Quilters, Homeschool Co-op, etc., etc., On Saturdays, emerging congregations in need of a church use our building for worship and Sunday school.
In concluding, we believe the words we hear on Sunday morning must be put into practice throughout the week and throughout the larger community:
We believe the church has an important role to play for the betterment of society and we act upon that belief…
OUR VISION…
Presbyterian Church of the Apostles seeks to worship and serve God, who is revealed to us in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
WE ENTHUSIASTICALLY INVITE OTHERS TO JOIN US!
Jesus demonstrates both God’s unconditional love for us and all people and God’s absolute requirements of us, to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. As an active, progressive and inclusive community in Christ,
WE DO JUSTICE
Working to transform our society to help the poor, the oppressed and “the least of these” in our world;
WE LOVE KINDNESS
Honor each others differences and diversity in an environment of grace and acceptance,
Providing nurture and empowerment to each of our members in our internal ministry, and doing acts of mercy in our external ministry; and
WE WALK HUMBLY
By expecting the Holy Spirit to speak new things to us, to other people, and to each generation, offering traditional and alternative Christian perspectives in education and worship, and encouraging continual dialogue and spiritual growth.
STATEMENT OF INCLUSIVENESS…
“To love our neighbor as ourselves” (Matthew 22:39)
All people are, created in God’s image, and each child of God is unique and wonderful. We celebrate the universal truth proclaimed in Galatians 3:26 and 28, “in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
As members of Presbyterian Church of the Apostles, we strive to love one another as God loves us. Knowing that we are all one in Christ, we welcome and embrace all who share with us a common faith in God into the life and leadership of our congregation. We do so regardless of a person’s race, ethnic origin, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, economic condition, cultural or religious background, or any particular element of his or her total humanity.
We realize that these conclusions may not be universally held, and we acknowledge that we “know only in part” (I Corinthians 13:1), we respect those whose prayerful and considered understanding of scripture and tradition has led them to other conclusions, and we welcome their presence, gifts and companionship in the journey of faith.
We welcome and encourage all persons to share in community life, worship and sacraments, including offices and ministry of the church. In response to the call “to love our neighbor as ourselves” (Matthew 22:39), we also pledge ourselves both individually, and as a congregation, to oppose by word and action injustices toward other persons, as we would oppose injustices toward ourselves.
With this declaration, Presbyterian Church of the Apostles announces its commitment as a More Light Congregation this 11th day of January, 1998.
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