St. Paul’s mission, rooted in the cross of San Damiano is:

to be a progressive community of passionate disciples of Jesus:

v    loving and serving God’s beloved creation to wholeness,

v    all participating in creative worship

v    and in works of liberation, peace, & justice

• We practice informed teaching and preaching based on
  • • a generous and non-fundamentalist orthodoxy
    • the belief that “the arc of the gospel bends towards inclusion” (Walter Brueggeman)
    • the non-violent atonement of Jesus
      • liberating all persons into full humanity
      • especially the marginalized

• Aware of being loved unconditionally by God
• Intentional and gathered
  • • around a common baptismal font and communion table
    • with Mary and the saints as companions on the journey
    • within the rich variety and freedom of The Episcopal Church
• Practicing sacramental values in our
  • • inclusion of all persons from diverse places, backgrounds, needs, in the Body of Christ
    • communion with one another in the real presence of Jesus in:
      • scripture
      • prayer
      • the poor
    • forgiveness of one another’s shortcomings
    • empowering & equipping each other for baptismal ministry by
      • education of all ages

• Practicing spiritual values of listening/receiving/affirming/reflecting
• Encouraging and celebrating each other’s gifts and uniqueness
• Growing into full humanity by becoming like Christ in mind, heart, and will

• in all things to focus on the humanity and divinity of Jesus as our path to God
• called to invite others to his table
• challenged to know and experience his love and acceptance for us as we are
• sent to serve Him in the poor & the marginalized

• Like St. Francis, we respond to the call from the cross of San Damiano
  • to rebuild/restore/make whole, the church (people of God).
  • to be a place of pilgrimage, healing, and reconciliation for all
    • moving into wholeness through loving, supporting, and praying for one another
  • to advocate for the “greening” of the church  by
    • promoting sustainable living and sustainable development
    • taking actions to protect our Mother, the Earth including, but not limited to, the following:
      • protecting the rain forests
      • protecting animal rights
      • protecting our waters
• to “Preach the good news, and sometimes use words!” (St. Francis)
• to give from the heart through servant ministry and servant leadership

• We practice an innovative, retraditioning approach to liturgy
  • Inviting all to experience the divine presence
  • incorporating music and all the arts
  • blending the ancient and contemporary

• We practice reconciliation
• We practice radical hospitality & inclusion in every aspect of the life of this congregation
• We publicly oppose all forms of violence, torture, abuse
• We support the struggle for human rights throughout the world
• We adopt, as a congregation, the implementation of the Millenium Development Goals