Vision

We strive to be a faithful, open and inclusive congregation.

We will care for our congregation by encouraging each member to commit to a regular practice of spiritual growth and worship, participation in some group, role or ministry in the life of the church, supporting our church financially and providing friendship and support to others in the congregation.

We welcome all who are seeking to live a life of Christian faith and discipleship with a warm and caring attitude and will nurture new members by helping them to feel at home and to take ownership in the church.

We are a diverse people united by a common faith in Jesus Christ and by meaningful worship and service. We will respond to the changes in life styles and demography by instituting forms of worship that will appeal to youth and our changing neighborhood.

We will continue ministering to the community in which we live by continuing to provide programs and space to educate, serve and share the good news of the Gospel.

We will partner with other Presbyterian churches in worship and in programs for youth, adults and the community at large.

We recognize our call and mission extend beyond our local community and will continue to extend our ministering to the world at large.

The following paragraphs provide interpretative comments to further expand on our mission.

Open and inclusive:

As a congregation we recognize the need for a diverse congregation, and collectively strive to be open and inclusive.  All are welcome and we will never restrict membership in the congregation based on gender, ethnicity, and country of origin, age, and sexual orientation.  We understand that diversity adds value and look to serve all in the community.

Spiritual Growth:

We look to find ways where we can support each other spiritually.  Examples are the “Circles” from the Presbyterian Women, the monthly Men’s prayer breakfasts, weekly Bible study, and journaling groups.

Member Participation in the life of the church:

A congregation cannot be diverse if all are not given an equal voice and if the same members are always within the same roles within the church.  We encourage all to participate in worship, education, administration and leadership roles.  We recognize that while not all can contribute of their time and resources equally, all are equal in our Creator’s eyes.  We strive to treat each other with respect and encourage all members to willingly share their time and talents without anyone feeling pressured to do so.

Supporting Our church Financially:

We recognize the need to support the church financially as individual members through our annual pledging and weekly contributions.  We have also set up programs where the church can also be remembered in our wills.

Ministering to the community – mission work locally:

Our church has been an active participant in the Plainfield Area Mission Group.  We also co-founded a not for profit housing organization with a local Catholic church called “Friends of the Carpenter” that has renovated local homes and has provided the opportunity for local residents to purchase homes at an affordable price.  We have organized and have been involved with the local Crop Walk, “Paint the Town” projects, local food banks and local Christmas baskets with food and gifts for needy residents. We established a ‘CHATS’ (Connected Hearts Adoption Triad Support ) a non denominational organization sponsored by WAPC that seeks to involve and serve all members of the adoption triad ( i.e. adoptee, birthparents, and adoptive parents) as well as others interested in and impacted by adoption. To address concerns and to reach out to the community youth we have run a local Friday night coffee house.

Ministering to the world at large – mission work globally:

In recognizing that our call and mission is not just locally we have organized mission work groups that have traveled overseas to South America and Central America.  In the U.S. our youth group has also done mission work in West Virginia.  We have also raised money for, and sent work crews to New Orleans to aid in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.  Our Crop Walks and Blanket Sundays are local fundraisers with global impacts.