Parish Covenant

We believe ourselves to be a people of God organized in a parish family that is centered in the Word of God, sharing the faith and ministry of Christ's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, through the Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.

We believe Jesus Christ to be present and active in our midst, both calling us and enabling us to be loving persons who carry out His mission to restore all people to unity with God and each other. As a Parish we seek, by our actions, both to proclaim the Gospel and to maintain the corporate life of those who have heard the Good News and have responded in faith.

We believe that each of us has a distinct ministry, just as we acknowledge the diversity of pngts and talents represented among us. We believe we are called to be mutually supportive in our various ministries.

We believe that having authority in St. John's is a call to serve. As Christians we lead others only by the power generated by love and service humbly given. We believe how we do what we are called to do to be just as important as what we do.

We believe that life in our congregation is centered in worship. In worship we come together regularly to renew our commitment to Jesus Christ, to celebrate who we are, and to listen again to that Word which is always "Good News." In response to God's love, we mean our worship to elevate us and enable us to praise God with our total being.

We believe that our ministry of restoring all people to unity with God and with each other in Christ calls us to discern God's will in this ever-changing world. As Christians we bear special responsibility for proclaiming God's judgment on all forces which separate and oppress people.

We believe the spiritual development of each of us to be a lifelong process of growth. We affirm the importance of religious education for the total congregation. Nurturing growth in faith and equipping individuals for ministry is an essential purpose for our being.

We believe that as a congregation we are responsible to the larger community we live in, and ultimately to people everywhere. As individuals and collectively we need to listen to the Spirit who calls us to share our ministries, our money, and our buildings in a spirit of genuine outreach and service. Our doors are open and our arms outstretched.

adopted January 1983,
reaffirmed April 1993