As the community of St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 

we believe our specific place in the body of Christ calls us to...  

• Create a style in worship and throughout our church life which is intentionally inclusive.
  
  
• Welcome and affirm all persons without regard to any of the divisions which have been used to separate God's family such as ethnicity, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability.
  
  
• Take care of those who are hurting, on an individual level.
  
  
• Work to relieve systems of oppression that often lead to this hurt.
  
  
• Take risks; to be a church that is not afraid to participate in the process of change.
  
  
• Equip people for the tasks of ministry through study, worship, and discussion of the Word.
  
  
• Commit ourselves, our time, and our resources to the work of the community of faith.
  
  
• Invite others to join in this journey.