Mission and Beliefs
The United Church of Christ at Valley Forge, following in the Way of Jesus,
is called by God to
deepen our relationship with the Spirit,
empowering us to
reach out widely to our neighbors
in love, hospitality, healing, and hope.
As a dedicated member of the United Church of Christ, we embrace an open-hearted and open-minded approach to our traditions as followers of Jesus. Our faith and spiritual connections are deep and continue to grow through our shared experience as a congregation. We value tradition, but also are interested in discovering new ways to explore and demonstrate our faith.
We respect divergent views and encourage members to openly share their questions, doubts, experiences, insights, and vulnerabilities.
The Purpose, Vision, Mission, and Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ are for us inspiration and challenge for growth in our lives of faith.
Purpose Statement of the United Church of Christ (from the Gospel of Matthew):
To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.
Vision Statement:
United in Christ’s love, a just world for all.
Mission statement:
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith—adapted by Robert V. Moss
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify:
God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.
God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.
God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God.
Amen.