Open and Affirming Church
In June of 2025, our faith community voted unanimously to become an open and affirming faith community. As part of our Wide Welcome Statement, we declare: Straight or LGBTQIA+, you are welcome. People of all gender expressions and gender identities can be their authentic selves here and are welcome. If you need a place to heal from past religious trauma, your wounds, triggers, and fears are welcome. All are welcome to observe, listen, engage, serve, lead, work, and partner with us to make a positive impact on the community and the world around us.
Green Chalice Congregation
Green Chalice celebrates that your community is living out your faith by caring for God’s creation and leading the denomination and your community in authentic ways.
Who We Are
Inclusion
Because Jesus was intentional about including those who were pushed to the edges of society and not considered equal, we are intentional about becoming an inclusive community, challenging ourselves to welcome those who push us beyond our comfort zone. We celebrate ethnic, cultural, social, and theological diversity. On June 8, 2025, our congregation approved the adoption of our Wide Welcome Statement, making our faith community an open and affirming congregation.
Spiritual Life
With the Holy Spirit leading us, we deepen our spiritual life together. All that we do as a congregation is grounded in the light of scripture and prayer. Meaningful worship that engages our hearts and minds through the spoken word, song, silence, sacraments, and the visual arts is foundational to our being the Body of Christ together. Small groups and personal prayer/devotional life are encouraged for all.
Theological Reflection
We are a congregation that encourages theological reflection and discussion. Through serious faith reflection, we seek to shed light on contemporary life issues and how Christ calls us to live. These discussions respect and celebrate the diversity of thought that our members bring to faith. We are challenged to grow as we continue our faith journey.
Justice and Peace
God’s love and mercy are shown to the world through acts of justice and peace. We work at gaining an understanding of those who are different from us. By lending a helping hand where possible, we act to oppose the oppression of any of God’s children. We stand for peace in our homes and schools, in our community, and in the world.
Sharing Our Faith
We have a passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we encourage all, individually and collectively, to find ways in which to share their faith. By living as Christians, we demonstrate our faith to others. We encourage each other to grow in faith by sharing often about God working in our lives and in our church, so that the Realm of God may be expressed on earth.
Missional Church
The church shines when we move outside our own walls and become the hands and feet of Christ. With scripture as the lamp to light our path, our worship, study, and prayer life lead us to emulate Christ by expressing compassion through word and deed. We deliberately find ways to engage in ministry in our community. For this we believe: In Jesus of Nazareth, God calls all people to fullness of life now.
Our Wide Welcome Statement
This statement was approved by our full congregation on Sunday, June 8th 2025, as part of our Wide Welcome Initiative to be more intentional to be a place where all people feel welcome, celebrated, and safe to engage to find a faith community to connect with to explore, heal, grow, and serve.
Englewood Christian Church has long declared that all are welcome. When we make that declaration, we mean:
Every age group is appreciated and welcomed.
Your questions, your doubts, and your skepticism are welcome in this space.
We respect all races, cultures, and ethnicities here, and all are welcome.
Married or single, you are welcome.
Straight or LGBTQIA+, you are welcome.
People of all gender expressions and gender identities can be their authentic selves here and are welcome.
Varying abilities are acknowledged, and we desire to be intentional in our accommodations so that all people feel comfortable and welcome.
People of all economic situations are welcome.
God's love is global and not nationalistic. In this community, immigrants and refugees are welcome.
You do not have to pretend to be okay in this space; your emotions, “good” or “bad”, are welcome.
If you need a place to heal from past religious trauma; your wounds, triggers, and fears are welcome.
All are welcome to observe, listen, engage, serve, lead, work, and partner with us to make a positive impact on the community and the world around us.