Mission Statement


Mission Statement
	Table of Contents 2002 Mission Statement 2002 Mission Study 2002 Vision Statement To invite, seek and nurture all people into full relationship with our triune God by being a welcoming beacon of hope, love, and service to the community. Return to Table of Contents The above mission statement was developed during a year long mission study conducted in 2002 in preparation for calling a new pastor and rediscovering the meaning of what it means to be a "church". We learned much about ourselves as both individuals and as a community of faith. During the study hundreds of questionnaires were sent and small discussion groups were formed to flesh out the meaning and purpose of our congregation. Out of this study came a direction for the ministry of First United Church. While some of the factors involved in the study have changed, as well as some of the ministry goals, the document continues to offer direction to our congregation. To read the full mission study, click on the link below. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the mission study. 2002 Mission Study (1.2MB) FREE Acrobat Reader Return to Table of Contents Five Year Plan 2002-2006 The following six goals were developed during the Mission Study process by the congregation in 2001 and adopted by the congregation in February, 2002. They are all considered equally important and do not appear in any particular order of importance. 1. Spiritual growth Develop more opportunities to share personal faith, joys and concerns. How is God acting in our lives. More Bible study, Christian fellowship and prayer groups that emphasize participation, openness and sharing. By growing spiritually it is believed that the numerical growth of the congregation will take care of itself. 2. Assimilation of new members New members need to be integrated into the congregation by planned and concerted effort. A structured way to do this needs to be developed which might include such things as: family activities that encourage members to get to know each other adult fellowship groups, perhaps through the development of the Cluster Groups, meetings, progressive dinners, retreats church support such as calling upon those who do not attend, the showing of kindness, caring and compassion 3. Developing Discipleship This goal includes finding ways to help members: do evangelizing, telling others of their faith become committed to doing things without being asked or told continue and expand on service activities such as: the Clothing Center, the food pantry, Christmas bell ringers, mission projects such as El Salvador (ASAPROSAR) 4. Deepening care, concern and connection within the congregation Develop ways to demonstrate loving concern for one another particularly through caring connection with each other, sharing enthusiasm, singing, upbeat attitudes, etc. 5. Youth ministry The goal is to have an active youth program for children and young people ages 12 through 18 and to develop youth leadership in the church. This will be done by providing social activities, community projects, Bible study and discussion, and worship opportunities. The program will be open to all youth in the community and will include set days and times. One facet of this goal is to employ a part-time youth minister. 6. Development of Congregational Communication Communication within the congregation will be developed primarily by: revamping the church newsletter to include such things as: summaries of session action, summaries of committee reports, enhancing the church calendar, including personal testimonies, etc. and by having a church a newsletter committee to oversee it developing a church calling tree i.e., a prayer chain publishing a list of who to go for certain jobs to be done in the church publish the membership of church committees Return to Table of Contents	218th General Assembly (San Jose, June 21-28, 2008) PC(USA) Website Presbyterian News Service PC(USA) Washington Office Presbytery of WNY Visit our Virtual Bookstore on cokesbury.com for suggested readings and help First United earn cash back. Click on the link below. Virtual Bookstore