Our Values At First Central, we Open Doors Wide. We invite people in. Invite the light in. We open ourselves to possibilities. We think about the big picture, welcome new ideas, push the envelope, and keep growing. Our core values are Authenticity, Warmth, Insight, and Vitality. We strive to be faithful, inclusive, inquisitive, dynamic, and free. We are committed to being Open and Affirming of LGBTQ+ people, accessible to all abilities and disabilities, WISE (welcoming, inclusive, supportive, and engaged) for mental health, and anti-racist. Here are some of our covenants and commitments: “We believe that all people are loved by God, and if a person has a mental health challenge that person has a right to be seen as a person first. We pledge to create a Welcoming, Inclusive, Supporting, and Engaged environment for people with mental health challenges and their families.” “In our ongoing quest for hearts that open, minds that understand, and lives that serve, we welcome into our fellowship, membership, leadership, and employment, all people, regardless of ability, race, gender, sexual orientation, or any God-given characteristic.” “Because we affirm that the beauty and blessedness of God’s creation is present in all people: We make a conscious and deliberate decision to celebrate diversity of creation as uniquely experienced by people of color. We honor the sacredness of people’s lives saying, ‘Black lives matter. Indigenous people’s lives matter. People of color’s lives matter.'” Here are some key features of our congregation: We welcome people of all abilities, ages, races, genders, and sexual orientations into the life and leadership of our congregation. We explore a progressive theology in a traditional worship style. We use gender inclusive language and a multiplicity of images and names for God. We invite diversity of opinion and belief so that we can all grow through conversation. Plus we engage the major issues of the day, wanting to know more and how to respond faithfully as followers of Jesus. Our ministries are intergenerational, building relationships between children, teens, adults, and seniors. Every member is responsible for the ministry of our church. Everyone has gifts to share. We value teamwork and collaboration. We encourage everyone to be involved in valuable, meaningful, and effective service to the wider community. Our spirituality engages science, art, and social justice work. We hope to change lives and make the world a better place.
