We feel this is first and most important value. When we love, everything else is secondary. When we love with accountability, decisions are more straightfoward. The group focused on one of the many scripture references of love as our reference:
Mark 12: 28-31 “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The rest of our values are in no particular order and just as important as the next. Faith is central to our beliefs of spiritual development and a relationship with God. We build a faith both individually and as a community of believers who search for God in all places.
1 Cor. 16: 13-14 "Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."
We feel expanding our community to all peoples is beneficial to our understanding of each other and how God works within us. Our leadership seeks to ensure all are represented when decisions are made and when brought to our attention, we act when necessary to ensure inclusion at all levels.
Galatians 3:28 There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no ‘male and female’; you are all one in the Messiah, Jesus.
We strive to be generous, yet responsible, in praise of others, relationship with as many as desire it, and with all our resources (financial and otherwise). That generosity comes in many forms, as individuals and as a member of our community with whom we partner for many services.
Matthew 25:35-40 ) 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and youclothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison andyou came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him,‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give yousomething to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go tovisit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you,whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,you did for me.’
While there may be differences of opinion of what is "just", we all do our best. And, collectively, we remember to make decisions based on love and integrity. We seek to learn from each other, allowing a space for all voices to be heard so that we might also be heard.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
No one has all the answers to life's questions. We agree to agree on the primary tenants of faith and encourage discussion and discernment in places we disagree. Even when we disagree on minor elements, we join in love at the table open to everyone.
1 Corinthians13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.
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