Our Mission
Parker Memorial United Methodist Church reflects the progressive Christian framework. “Come as you are” is the invitation we extend to everyone who visits or takes part in our community in their personal search for God. Openness and acceptance of our members’ unique contributions are integral parts of Parker. We seek to “live the questions” of Christian faith in our lives
+ We have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus.
+We value our United Methodist identity.
+ Our time in worship, prayer, and study together help ground and prepare us for the service each of us undertakes in the community and outside world.
+ The congregation takes responsibility for conducting elements of the worship service.
+ Weekly communion, moments of silence, poetic meditations, and dialogue are essential elements of our service, within a traditional worship setting.
+ Recognizing God’s ongoing creation, we use the creative arts in our spiritual journey together and in our communal worship.
+ We recognize that God reaches us in many different ways.
+ We invite all people to participate in our community and worship life without insisting that they become like us in order to be acceptable.
+ We find more grace in the search for understanding than we do in dogmatic certainty—more value in questioning than in absolutes.
+ We believe in searching for and living out the truth found in the scriptures.
+ We encourage our members to explore the relationship of self to God.
+ We offer a home for those who are rediscovering Christianity or have been disillusioned by past church experience.
+ We acknowledge that our progressive approach is one unique manifestation among other Christian churches.
Our mission and invitation: Parker Memorial United Methodist Church strives to be a Christian community of worshippers and believers. We seek awareness of God's presence deep in our own souls, in every aspect of our lives, and well beyond our knowing and understanding. It is in God we find meaning, purpose, and value for our lives. We endeavor to love our neighbor as ourselves and to reach out to those in need whoever and wherever they may be. We welcome you to join us.
Editor’s Note: The above paper was adopted by consensus after several exploratory meetings. The purpose is to place the congregation’s definition and description of Parker Memorial United Methodist Church into words.
