Our Mission Statement
With hearts full of love, the mission of Washington Street UMC is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world from the heart of the city throughout the world.
Our Identity Statement
The congregation of Washington Street UMC praises and serves God from the heart of the city in ways that reach our neighbors near and far. We welcome and affirm all who seek the love and mercy of Christ regardless of race, creed, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or economic status. We honor traditions as rooted in our history, our expression of worship, and our respect for theological curiosity. We nonetheless see vital change and ongoing renewal as essential for spiritual growth.
Our Core Values
We, those of Washington Street United Methodist Church, believe the following core values have shaped WSUMC’s culture from the very beginning of our journey together and it is our hope that every major decision we make as a church is filtered through not only our mission and our vision, but also through these four core values. When we align our ministries with these four values, WSUMC’s collective witness to the community is clear. Taken together, the first letter in each of the values listed below spell the word “CARE.” The four values are:
Courageous Faith
- Our faith is characterized by unwavering confidence in God’s promises, even in the face of adversity, danger, or uncertainty. It is a faith that acts, often requiring us to step out of our comfort zones and rely solely on God’s strength and guidance.
Adaptive Faith
- To meet valid ministry needs in the most effective ways possible, we recognize that adaptability and change are themes that resonate throughout the Bible, reflecting the dynamic nature of God’s interaction with humanity and the call for believers to respond faithfully to shifting circumstances. We live this out as we seek to honor and recognize the importance of tradition and traditions while also not being afraid to try something new, adapt, or change.
Relational Faith
- The two greatest commandments are about loving relationships with God, self, and others. We live out this commandment by treating every person as a beautiful child of God, welcoming the stranger, practicing hospitality, affirming the dignity of each person, and taking intentional steps to grow in our relationship with God.
Embodied Faith
- We live out this faith through ministries that seek to equip and empower ourselves and others in discovering our giftedness, encouraging one another to use our gifts in service and mission and in providing opportunities for these gifts to be used in service to God and one another.
Washington Street United Methodist Church is a member of The Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). The Reconciling Ministries Network envisions a renewed and vibrant Wesleyan movement that is biblically and theologically centered. As committed disciples of Jesus Christ, we strive to transform ourselves and the world by living out the Gospel’s teachings of grace, love, justice, and celebration of all of God’s children.
To read more about RMN, click here to download their brochure.