Dear Friends, Neighbors and Members of St. Cyprian's, 

On Sunday, St. Cyprian's & Cyprian's arc will celebrate the many people inside and outside our congregation and neighborhood who have volunteered to assist us in our mission of creating a community where everyone matters. Appropriately, the weekend before Thanksgiving, we are gathering together to give thanks for the hard work and dedication demonstrated by numerous folks of good will who value this place and the values we represent.

What are those values?
A few months ago the Reverend Susan Strouse, Pastor of First United Lutheran Church (a congregation with whom St. Cyprian's now shares our space) and I brainstormed about how we wanted to present our two faith communities to the neighborhood at an upcoming block party.  Susan reminded me of the 8 points of the Center for Progressive Christianity --- all of which I think communicate very well our shared commitments. Here they are in their entirety:

1.  Believe that following the path and teachings of Jesus can lead to an awareness and experience of the Sacred and the Oneness and Unity of all life;

2.  Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey;

3.  Seek community that is inclusive of ALL people, including but not limited to:

• Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics,
• Believers and agnostics,
• Women and men,
• Those of all sexual orientations and gender identities,
• Those of all classes and abilities;

4.  Know that the way we behave towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe;

5.  Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning than in absolutes;

6.  Strive for peace and justice among all people;

7.  Strive to protect and restore the integrity of our Earth;

8.  Commit to a path of life-long learning, compassion, and selfless love.

 

We did not end up posting this list at our block party tables. However, my hunch is that one of the reasons St. Cyprian's is growing in so many different ways right now is because folks see us practicing these 8 points and are drawn to our unique expression of them.

 

Thank you volunteers!
Thank you to those who voluntarily open this email each week to keep an eye on what we are up to. Thank you to those who have come when we needed you, just you, the most. Thank you to those who have moved far away but keep us in your prayers. Thanks to you who helped paint the back gate, you who dropped off stuff, you who sorted stuff for the rummage sale, you who loaned us costumes, shovels, ladders and extension cords. You who wrote that article, designed that flier, went to that meeting, forwarded that email and sent us that expert. Thank you for loving us. Please know that we love you!

See you soon at Turk & Lyon!