Statement of Active Faith

How do our beliefs shape our actions?

When you read this sign, what do you imagine that work looks like?

This past year, St. Paul’s has experienced first-hand the rhetoric of hate disguised as Christianity. Our response to Christian Nationalism in our midst was and remains a deep commitment to following Jesus’ Greatest Commandment: Loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

The vestry has used this moment to reflect on our own position of belief and action in the world. It is not enough to say what we are against. Rather, we feel strongly that we must state plainly what we are for, and why.

Our response over these past months has been to create a Statement on Active Faith. This document went through many drafts and reviews before we agreed on the final version we are sharing here. This statement reflects the realities of the present moment, with particular emphasis on people and groups who are the most vulnerable in our communities and nation right now: People of all genders, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people, the hungry and homeless, people with disabilities, people of color, and all who are marginalized.

Having a document like this is more than just nice words - it helps us shape our policies, partnerships, and decisions going forward. This statement will help us faithfully evaluate the many choices we must make as a leadership body and a parish. This document will live on our website, and be shared broadly throughout the community to help others know St. Paul’s Woodbury better.

When we presented the document to the congregation as part of our Town Hall meeting on on October 18th, we did so in round-table conversations with vestry members fielding questions and comments at each table. I also presented the document as part of my homily at the 5pm service, with an opportunity for questions and comments in that moment. Both presentations generated rich, engaging conversations which sparked lots of new ideas about how we live out our call to be “the hands and feet of Jesus in the heart of our community.”

We hope that you will take the time to read this document carefully and faithfully, knowing that I and the members of our vestry are eager to discuss it with you.

May our witness be bold, timely, and faithful; and we invite all who hear our call—neighbors, partners, and friends—to join us in this holy work.

In faith,

Rev. Tuesday+