CANOE CAMP CHURCH is a progressive, open-minded, and non-creedal faith community on a spiritual journey of love, acceptance, inquiry, and Christian service.
CANOE CAMP CHURCH is:
A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
AN INCLUSIVE AND EXPANSIVE COMMUNITY, using gender-free language whenever possible.
AN OPEN AND AFFIRMING COMMUNITY, welcoming all races, levels of ability, physical abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and education or vocational levels to participate fully in our church life.
A STILL-SPEAKING COMMUNITY, remembering not to put a period where God has placed a comma.
CELEBRATING AN EVOLVING FAITH, welcoming all points of view.
WE ARE 21st CENTURY CHRISTIANS; our faith is 2000 years old, our thinking is not.
Disciples LGBTQ+ alliance and Open and Affirming Coalition
Canoe Camp Church is proudly listed as Open & Affirming by Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance of the Christian (Disciples of Christ) denomination and the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ denomination. We believe that "all means all" meaning that ALL people are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church. You can find out more about the Open and Affirming Coalition at their website http://openandaffirming.org/ and the disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance at their website http://disciplesallianceq.org/.
Christian Church's (Disciples of Christ) Beliefs
What do Disciples believe?
Like most Christians, Disciples affirm:
~Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God, and offers saving grace to all
~All persons are God's children
Beliefs and practices usually associated with Disciples include:
Open Communion. The Lord's Supper, or Communion, is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Freedom of belief. Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit, study and prayer, and are expected to extend that freedom to others.
Baptism by immersion. In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored.
Belief in the oneness of the church. All Christians are called to be one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.
The ministry of believers. Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service and spiritual growth.
Belief in the unity of the church: In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity. (p. 521, Chalice Hymnal)
(Find out more about Disciples beliefs at http://disciples.org/
United Church of Christ's Beliefs
We believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world. We believe that each person is unique and valuable. It is the will of God that every person belong to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved. We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey and that each of us is at a different stage of that journey. We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God, engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction. We believe that all of the baptized 'belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' No matter who – no matter what – no matter where we are on life's journey – notwithstanding race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, class or creed – we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized – past, present and future – are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism. We baptize during worship when the community is present because baptism includes the community's promise of 'love, support and care' for the baptized – and we promise that we won't take it back – no matter where your journey leads you. We believe that all people of faith are invited to join Christ at Christ's table for the sacrament of Communion. Just as many grains of wheat are gathered to make one loaf of bread and many grapes are gathered to make one cup of wine, we, the many people of God, are made one in the body of Christ, the church. The breaking of bread and the pouring of wine reminds us of the costliness of Christ's sacrifice and the discipleship to which we are all called. In the breaking of bread, we remember and celebrate Christ's presence among us along with a 'cloud of witnesses' – our ancestors, family and friends who have gone before us. It is a great mystery; we claim it by faith. We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church. "That they may all be one." (John 17:21) "In essentials–unity, in nonessentials–diversity, in all things–charity," These UCC mottos survive because they touch core values deep within us. The UCC has no rigid formulation of doctrine or attachment to creeds or structures. Its overarching creed is love. UCC pastors and teachers are known for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture and justice advocacy. Even so, love and unity in the midst of our diversity are our greatest assets. We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the earth's resources. 'To believe is to care; to care is to do.' We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church. As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted. We believe in the power of peace, and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems. We are a people of possibility. In the UCC, members, congregations and structures have the breathing room to explore and to hear ... for after all, God is still speaking, ... (copied with permissionfrom the UCC website