A Vision for Govans Presbyterian

Our mission at Govans Presbyterian Church will be

to experience and share holistic healing. Through prayer, worship and service

we seek spiritual, physical, emotional and interpersonal healing for ourselves and for all people.

Inspired by the healing ministry of Jesus we seek to relieve suffering and restore wholeness in ourselves, in each other, in our community and in the world. Our source of wholeness is God as revealed to us through Jesus Christ. God's healing and wholeness touch every part of human life. Wholeness and well being require nurturing vital spiritual practices, living healthy lifestyles that promote sound bodies, enjoying mutually loving interpersonal relationships, celebrating our diverse community, feeling connected to the earth and respecting and honoring for all creation.

Healing is the path toward wholeness.

Prayer

As a congregation that defines itself around ministries of healing we will nurture meaningful relationships with God for all members. All our work will be founded in a relationship with God as essential to a whole, meaningful life. A primary means of deepening the spiritual life will be prayer. We will pray regularly for healing and well being for ourselves, each other and for those who suffer.  Opportunities will abound to learn and practice prayer, meditation, contemplation and a variety of spiritually grounded experiences.

Worship

Worship at Govans should be an opportunity to experience God's unconditional love and grace, know our small and vital place in God's creation and empower us to go into the world to share God's healing grace with others.

Worshipping in the Reformed Tradition but not bound by tradition we will:

Pray together. Prayer will infuse the worship service. It will include praise, thanksgiving and confession. Petitions will be made for guidance and inspiration, healing and wholeness, justice and peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. Prayer during the worship service will include diverse forms including prayer led by the pastor or members of the congregation, recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, singing of hymns, responsive and unison liturgical prayer, silent prayer and other diverse expressions that help individuals and the congregation grow in their relationship to God.

Read and interpret the Bible for the purpose of understanding, experiencing, and proclaiming God's desire for balance, prosperity and wellness for all creation. Preaching will be a round table experience as the entire congregation gathers around the Living Word. The Minister of Word and Sacrament will offer weekly sermons and invite members of the congregation to preach on a regular basis. Sermons will be followed by intentional congregational response and conversation so that the community may more fully engage the Word and carry it into the world for the good of all.

Sing and make music together. Touched by God's love we will respond joyfully as a congregation and as individuals by sharing in the gift of music. Music will be a joyful noise. It binds us together and lifts our hearts to God. Frequent congregational singing supported by musical instruments will be a primary means of prayer, praise and celebration in the worship service. 

Celebrate the Reformed Sacraments. The Reformed Sacraments of Communion and Baptism will be celebrated regularly as a means of connecting deeply, through mystery and symbol, to God’s healing love. 

Offer ourselves to God. The Offering will be a joyful time when we have the opportunity to offer our whole selves to God who makes us whole. The Offering will be a celebration of our call to work toward a whole and just world.

Make children welcome. The Children and Family Service will be especially mindful of the needs of children and seek to incorporate them into worship as much as possible. The Second Service will have childcare after a message for children so that parents who wish to, may engage undistracted in the worship experience.

Service

In the spirit of Jesus’ concern for the poor, the oppressed, and the all who suffer, we will provide tangible services focused on healing including:

Praying for and with those who suffer,

Worshipping as a healing experience,

Growing and providing fresh healthy food
            for the economically poor of the community,

Serving free meals from the church
             for the economically poor of our community,

Providing significant financial support to at least
            50% of Govans Preschool enrollees,

Providing social and material services to Seniors in our community,

Praying and advocating for persecuted minorities including but not limited to sexual minorities and immigrant communities,

Building relationships with international partners in third world countries,

Working for non-violent resolution to all conflicts, 

Moving toward a carbon neutral existence for the church and its members.

We have been drawn together out of a desire for wholeness,

through following the teachings of Jesus Christ

and growing in a living relationship with him.

We are therefore called to share this healing and wholeness with the world

and by so doing we find our purpose as a congregation.