Charlestown & Garden Suburb Uniting Church

RADICAL HOSPITALITY

Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory

of God. Romans 15:7

The Congregational Practice of Radical Hospitality

We seek to be a congregation that practices Radical Hospitality; demonstrating an active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ.

The Personal Practice of Radical Hospitality

Radical Hospitality in our personal walk with Christ begins with an extraordinary receptivity to the grace of God. We invite God into our hearts and make space for God in our lives. We say Yes to God and open ourselves to the spiritual life.  We receive God’s love and offer it to others.

PASSIONATE WORSHIP

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord.  Psalm 84:1-2

The Congregational Practice of Passionate Worship

Worship describes those times we gather deliberately seeking to encounter God in Christ. God uses worship to transform lives, heal wounded souls, renew hope, shape decisions, provoke change, inspire compassion, and bind people to one another. The word passionate expresses an intense desire, an ardent spirit, strong feelings, and the sense of heightened importance. 

The Personal Practice of Passionate Worship

Through the personal practice of Passionate Worship, we learn to love God in return. Followers of Christ develop patterns of listening to God, allowing God to shape our hearts and minds through prayer, personal devotion, and community worship. We love God.

INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42

The Congregational Practice of Intentional Faith Development

Intentional Faith Development refers to all the ministries that help us grow in faith outside of weekly worship, such as bible studies, support groups, and prayer teams.  We strive to offer opportunities for people to learn at all stages of faith.  We strive to offer ministries that help people grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of God. 

The Personal Practice of Intentional Faith Development

Through the personal practice of Intentional Faith Development, we do the soul work that connects us to others, immerses us in God’s Word, and positions us to grow in grace and mature in Christ. We place ourselves in the most advantageous circumstances to learn and grow in our following of Christ.  We cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our own spiritual maturation.  We learn in community.

RISK TAKING MISSION & SERVICE

Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40

The Congregational Practice of Risk-Taking Mission and Service

Mission and Service refers to the projects, efforts, and work people do to make a positive difference in the lives of others for the purposes of Christ, whether or not they will ever become part of the community of faith.  Risk-taking pushes us out of our comfort zone, stretching us beyond service to people we already know, exposing us to people, situations, and needs that we would never ordinarily encounter apart from our deliberate intention to serve Christ.  

The Personal Practice of Risk-Taking Mission and Service

The personal practice of Risk-Taking Mission and Service involves offering ourselves in purposeful service to others in need, making a positive difference even at significant personal cost and inconvenience to our own lives. We offer ourselves, our gifts and abilities and passions, to God so God can use us to transform the world by relieving suffering.   We serve.

EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY

You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity.

2 Corinthians 9:11

The Practice of Extravagant Generosity

Generosity describes the Christian’s unselfish willingness to give in order to make a positive difference for the purposes of Christ. We strive to provide ministries that address our spiritual need to give in ways that exceed all expectations and extend to unexpected measures. We give with joy out of lovee for God and neighbour.

The Personal Practice of Extravagant Generosity

Through the practice of Extravagant Generosity, we offer our material resources in a manner that supports the causes that transform life, relieve suffering, enlarges the soul and sustains the spirit. God uses our giving to reconfigure our interior lives and form us anew.  We give back.