Our Welcome Statement

As a gathering of the Body of Christ, we recognize that our world is a place of alienation and brokenness. It is also a place of beauty and strength. Christ calls us to lives of reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.

We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female” (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one.

In light of our mission:

Secure in the grace God offers to all, we seek and celebrate God’s presence for the life of the world, beginning in West Central Spokane.

and because gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their families are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make public affirmation of the following:

• that people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions share the worth that comes from being created by God;
• that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome within the membership of Salem Congregation upon making a common, public affirmation of faith.

Because people can become ghettoized in their poverty and in wealth, we seek a future in which:

Because humanity suffers divisions of many kinds, yet is created by God and called good, we strive to:

• renounce violence in all forms;
• create a common life that honors the dignity of all persons;
• share a worship life marked by many rich heritages and histories; and
• name and lament ways our society upholds racist practices and commit ourselves to anti-racism.

Finally, we proclaim:

that all members, friends, and neighbors of Salem Congregation are encouraged to share in the sacramental life of this Body so that God’s incarnate grace can work in us to grow an inviting, accountable, loving and just future.

God welcomes all
Strangers and friends
God’s love is strong
And it never ends.