Our Vision

Who we are (our culture)
Echo Hill Presbyterian Church is a diverse and welcoming family of engaged Christians who willingly accept you where you are while encouraging you to use your God-given gifts in growth and service to God and humanity.

What we do (our mission)
Together we create and support opportunities for personal and spiritual growth in a safe environment. We explore what we believe to be the inspired Word of God as we search for understanding of its relevance in today’s world.

Where we focus

Welcoming
Our community is a diverse and evolving culture. Our willingness to embrace diversity determines the relevancy of our purpose and ministry. We believe:

• God in Jesus Christ welcomes all people.
• We have one opportunity to make a first impression.
• People choose to belong where they feel welcomed, safe, and accepted.
• Feelings are created by assigning meaning to what we see and hear.
• Our words and actions are expressions of our beliefs.
• Embracing diversity and the practice of inclusion require that we ‘seek first the understand – then to be understood.’
• Trust and belonging emerge as understanding & acceptance grow.
• Understanding and acceptance in the absence of agreement is a choice.

Therefore, we are committed to the following goals:

1. Providing ongoing training for the Congregation to be a welcoming community.
2. Provide Christian and secular diversity awareness education.
3. Plan and deliver programs, events, and experiences designed to engage diverse populations (e.g. race, economic, beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.)

Growing
Personal, spiritual and communal growth is essential to a healthy, vibrant, relevant and sustainable church community.
We believe:

• God calls us to grow.
• Curiosity leads to interest.
• Interest leads to a seach for knowledge.
• Knowledge leads to belief.
• Belief stimulates enthusiasm.
• Enthusiasm is contagious.
• Our individual and collective enthusiasm generates action and furthers curiosity.

Therefore, we are committed to the following goals:

1. Develop and implement a process for individuals to discover and share their spiritual gifts.
2. Develop and implement a plan to incorporate the concept of being ‘intentionally relational’ in all areas of ministry.
3. Increase participation by (X) percent per year in Church offered learning experiences that enrich faith, stimulate spiritual growth, and enhance relationships for everyday life. (e.g. prayer, bible study, Christian Ed, etc.)
4. Develop and implement a plan to increase community awareness of an interaction with Echo Hill and its Vision.

Caring
Our Christian community’s love is expressed in how we care for others and God’s creation.
We believe:

• God through Jesus Christ is the embodiment of compassion.
• Caring extends beyond the human realm to all of God’s creation.
• We are called to love.
• Love is demostrated in thoughts, words and actions.
• Compassion is expressed spiritually, physically and emotionally.
• The acte of caring in inherently reciprocal, enriching both the giver and the receiver.

Therefore, we are committed to the following goals:

1. Educate and encourage Congregants in the art of caring.
2. Develop and implement and intentional plan that will educate and involve the congregation in justice issues each quarter. (e.g. ecology, cultural, social, economic)
3. Develop initiatives to enhance the Ministries of the Deacons.

Generous
Sharing gifts of time, talent and treasure is an expression of our community’s thanks to God. We believe:

• God is the provider of all we need.
• Jesus Christ expressed the ultimate in sacrifical service.
• We are instruments of God’s generosity to others through our service.
• Giving without expectation of return is a liberating choice.
• Our world is one of abundance – there is enough for all.
• We are called to be good stewards of all we are given.
• Each of us has something unique to offer in service.
• Serving each other, our community and the world is an investment that multiplies.

Therefore, we are committed to the following goals:

1. Develop and implement a process by 12/31/10 to equip membership to become more generous (time, talent, treasure) by providing educational, relational and spiritual opportunities.
2. Develop and implement a process to assure financial discipline, which clear communication in 2011, leading to a balanced budget for 2012.
3. Increase Church giving (locally, regionally, nationally and globally) by 1% of operating budget per year through 2016.
4. Weekly worship attendance exceeds 70% of Active Membership by 2013.