Values

 
 

Knox United Church Calgary Values

  • As part of the United Church of Canada in a largely secular society, we recognize the need to respond to the spiritual hunger of our time. Our understanding of God is rooted in the Bible and the evolution of Christian theology, but we recognize and value the opportunity to improve our understanding through new language and ideas from other theological traditions.

  • We are an Affirming Church. We believe that all people are created in the image of God. We welcome the ministry and participation of all persons regardless of age, gender identity, health, race, sexual orientation, differing abilities, religious or ethnic background or economic circumstance.

  • Knox is a place and a community to learn and practice skills to serve others – to be the hands and feet of Christ.

  • As a church, we are complicit in injustice and yet we are still called to witness the love and justice of the liberating, healing Christ. We strive towards right relations.

  • We value music as the language of the soul. It inspires, enlivens and calms us. 

  • Our historic church building will be a safe place all people can enter to calm their spirits, rediscover hope and inspiration, and be welcomed and affirmed as they are. 

  • We want to offer our resources to our community. This includes promoting and supporting the work of others for a particular cause with skills, passion and resources that exceed ours.

 

Affirming Statement

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (Jesus) — John 15:12

Knox United Church is a member of the Affirming Ministries Program, a network of United Church congregations and ministries that declare themselves to be fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

  • As Christians we believe that Jesus summoned all people into loving, accepting community as children of God.

  • We believe that all are called by God to use their skills and talents and to share the love, laughter and challenges of those who walk the path of Christ in the world.

  • Knox United Church fully supports the United Church of Canada in its ongoing efforts to include those marginalized in our society and world.

  • We admire the efforts of those who led the way in establishing an ever more inclusive church.

  • We salute the progress made in recognizing the rights of women and in correcting wrongs of exclusion and inequality.

  • We celebrate the full participation and inclusion of people of all sexual orientations in our community and lament the hurt and injustice done to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered and two-spirited (Aboriginal) Christians by parts of the Christian Church in the past and still today.

  • As an inclusive church, respectful of our differences and loving in our solidarity, Knox United Church publicly affirms the following fundamental principles that have guided our actions in the past and will continue to guide them in the future:

    • All are welcome in our faith community, regardless of age, colour, ethnic, religious or linguistic background, gender, gender identity, social or economic circumstances, sexual orientation and physical or mental capabilities.

    • All members and adherents of Knox are welcome to serve in any appropriate position within the Church, in accordance with their desires and abilities.

    • All services offered by the Church, including baptism, marriage, communion and pastoral care, are available to all members and adherents of Knox.

  • Recognizing that the advocacy of the rights of all people to equal treatment and respect is an inherent part of our responsibility as Christians, we commit to work for the full inclusion and affirmation of all in the life and work of Knox United Church, the United Church of Canada, and our local, national and worldwide communities.