About Our Community
United Church of Strafford aspires to be a welcoming congregation of open doors, open hearts and open minds. We intend to be a force, not just a presence, responding to wrongs, threats and destructive forces in the world, effecting positive social change, and connecting religion to issues of peace, justice and the care of God’s creation. We hope to foster this by:
Active Community Involvement: Reaching out to help those in need and maintaining "vital involvement in everyday life in the community".
A "Sanctuary" for Service: Providing a place of renewal where congregants are inspired and equipped to "go out and serve again".
Inclusivity & Freedom: Operating as a welcoming congregation of "open doors, hearts and minds" that honors individual freedom to choose beliefs.
Generational Evolution: Committing to find new ways of being a church that serve younger generations and involve children in every aspect of church life.
We gather together with freedom of conscience in a community of love and inquiry. All are welcome, without exception. We practice Christianity with faith and compassion. We covenant with one another to embody the love of Christ, to nurture contemplation and action, and to offer our gifts, talents and energies as we are able.
Our Core Values
Radical Inclusivity: Embracing differences, other cultures, and traditions, while ensuring a "welcoming congregation of open doors, hearts and minds" where all are welcome without exception.
Freedom of Belief: Maintaining the individual's "freedom to choose beliefs" and "freedom of conscience" within a community of inquiry.
Justice and Social Change: Aspiring to be an active "force, not just a presence," dedicated to peace, justice, and the care of God’s creation.
Compassionate Support: Acting as a "faithful Christ-like love" source for those needing spiritual, personal, or material assistance.
Spiritual Growth and Renewal: Valuing worship as a "sanctuary" for renewal, inspiration, and wisdom through music, traditional scripture, and contemplative practices.
Intergenerational Connection: Honoring the experience of elders while actively involving children in all aspects of church life and evolving to serve younger generations.
Open Communication: Committing to a "safe forum" for big questions and controversial issues, characterized by humble listening and fairness even when disagreeing.
Stewardship of Tradition and Space: Appreciating the historical and aesthetic beauty of the spirit-filled place of worship while embracing necessary evolution. We acknowledge that we are on the ancestral and unceded land of the traditional caretakers, the Western Abenaki people. We share the belief that the land and all life are gifts of the Spirit, and our role is to honor and protect the Spirit’s creation, building a loving community that includes all.