Strategic themes Looking ahead, we intend to build on the goals and objectives established five years ago. With the tremendous response to our visiting lectures and guest speakers, the George Street congregation is exploring new interpretations of Jesus' teachings for today's world. We are willing to explore further adventures with open minds and open hearts. A recent workshop produced a set of statements describing what we want to be able to say about ourselves some day. You are invited to help us on this journey.
1. We are an open and interesting church. All are welcome and all are invited to participate in our services and our programs. Visitors and speakers are well-known and stimulating; in the last two years we have had Stephen Lewis, Dr. Marcus Borg, Rev. Cheri diNovo, Bishop John Shelby Spong, James Loney, Rev. Gretta Vosper, the Watoto Singers, and multi-faith speakers including Rabbi David Cohen and Muslim leader Raheel Raza. We welcome the challenge of understanding ancient words in a modern context; the sermons are insightful, stimulating, and challenging.
2. We have progressive and open-minded contemporary worship in a venerable old traditional church with spectacular architecture. Our communion is served by the ancient practice of intinction, dipping the bread into the chalice; but it's sometimes served by children, who also play an important role in services throughout the year. Music and art play vital roles in our worship, with a dynamic choir, dramatic readings, individual performers, and a stunning traditional pipe organ. Our music director is highly trained, professional, creative and enthusiastic about the role of music in worship.
3. This is safe, caring and welcoming congregation. We practice what Jesus preached: let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Everyone is welcome at our church and at communion. Our members are new babies and church stalwarts who have been attending for 80 years, and everyone in between. We welcome same-sex marriage, people from other faith traditions, casual clothing, and radical thinking, while honouring our deep roots in the faith of Abraham. You may participate as little or as much as you choose.
4. We try to build community and nurture it, inside and outside the walls. We are a large, visible church in downtown Peterborough, with an enormous and wonderful pipe organ, so you may know us as the venue for the Peterborough Singers. We work with other churches locally to feed the homeless, support the Food Bank, promote the gleaning program in partnership with area farmers, supply toiletry kits to hospital patients and shelters and more. We rent our spaces to many community groups, and encourage a range of interesting activities that support community-building. As a member of the United Church of Canada, we enthusiastically support the national Mission and Service program, always exceeding our goals. Globally, we participate in specific chosen missions, sending volunteers, money and goods to support such causes as the Honduran Brigades.
