MONTEREY CHURCH

HELD in THESE TRUTHS

We acknowledge God to be the Creator of the universe, the Lover of all creatures, the Redeemer of all suffering and waste, and the Sustainer who gives life and breath. We recognize in the person of Jesus Christ the character of God as one who manifests forgiveness and peace, salvation and wholeness, freedom from the powers and principalities of this world, and most of all love. We hope in the Holy Spirit as the breath of life, the wisdom of the ages, the author of history whose truth is never denied for long, an artist whose medium is time itself.

CHILDREN OF GOD

As Jesus Christ did before us, we affirm that each individual is a child of God, and recognize that we are called to be like one reconciled body with many members, seeking with others of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender identity and gender expression, physical or mental ability, and sexual identity to journey together toward the promised realm of God.

SCRIPTURE

We regard Scripture as authoritative, one source of revelation in our lives; we confess God as continuing to speak truth to the world; we worship so as to repose in God’s love, rejoice in God’s forgiveness, and be rejuvenated for the work of mercy and peace in a conflicted world; and we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion as spiritual food by which we participate in the life eternal. Please join us.

HOMILY OF THE PEOPLE

In Sunday worship, following the pastor's homily and a period of silence, there's an opening for people to share of their meditation. As in a Friends (Quaker) Meeting, this is founded on the truth that in the Holy Spirit all are authorized to speak of God as revealed in worship and community. Or, as it is sometimes summed up, "Here I get to talk in church. I've never gotten to talk in church before!"

GODLY PLAY

On the 3rd Sunday of each month, we forgo scripture readings and sermon, and gather around for "Godly Play."  A Montessori-based method of teaching the stories of scripture to children, we find it's evocative for adults as well. This mode frees us from the page and the fixity of text so the stories become realms we inhabit rather than objects we interact with so to understand. The wild stories of God-with-us are a living word. The modern imagination is limited. Come free your mind. Come play!

SERVICE

Our service in the world for the building up of God's beloved community is manifold. We understand that every moment of every day offers the opportunity to act in God's redeeming love. We lift up those individual ministries and team up whenever we can. We also support Construct Inc., Railroad Street Youth Project, The Literacy Network, and Volunteers in Medicine.

Rev. Liz Goodman

Liz, our only staff member, has been pastor here since 2001. A lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, she also serves at Church on the Hill, in Lenox, near where she lives with her husband, their kids, and their dogs. To be in touch with her, please email her or call the church office at 413-329-3026.