2023 Welcome Statement
At Salford Mennonite Church, we journey together to follow Jesus in the call to peace, justice, forgiveness, love, reconciliation, and growth.
We affirm and celebrate that all people are created in God’s image, are embraced fully by God’s love, and are uniquely gifted by God.
And so we welcome all people of any age, racial and ethnic identity, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, immigration status, background, ability, or economic status to participate fully in every aspect of congregational life.
Specifically, all are welcome to membership, marriage, ministry within the congregation, and pastoral leadership.
Centering Our Understanding of Congregational Life
We are grateful to James Street Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA and Belmont Mennonite Church, Elkhart, IN whose statements of inclusion were resources to us in the writing of our statement.
Affirmed by the Salford Church Board on March 7, 2023 for presentation to the congregation with the recommendation to adopt.
Affirmed by the Salford Congregation at the March 26, 2023 Congregational Meeting for immediate adoption.
We affirm and celebrate that all people are created in God’s image, are embraced fully by God’s love, and are uniquely gifted by God.
And so we welcome all people of any age, racial and ethnic identity, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, immigration status, background, ability, or economic status to participate fully in every aspect of congregational life.
Specifically, all are welcome to membership, marriage, ministry within the congregation, and pastoral leadership.
Centering Our Understanding of Congregational Life
- At Salford, full participation in congregational life means that none of the categories and identities in the welcome statement may serve as criteria for exclusion from or obstacles to congregational life. We acknowledge that differing convictions about sexuality, gender identity, and faith exist within our congregation, but we commit, as a whole congregation, to practice full inclusion.
- We commit to be a supportive space for all spiritual seekers to ask questions, raise doubts, find answers, and learn together what it means to know and follow Jesus.
- All who seek membership at Salford may do so through discernment in community with the congregation and believers’ baptism or profession of faith. Membership is a formal commitment to love and serve God in the context of the church community. Church members share resources, bless others with their spiritual gifts, meet the needs of the community, and help envision and shape the community’s direction as it tries to seek God’s Kingdom and imitate Jesus.
- We understand marriage as a life-long, covenant partnership of two adults growing together in love and fidelity, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. We commit to encouragement and support for both marriage and singleness, and to fostering healing and restoration where there is brokenness. Salford’s pastors are available for counseling and officiating weddings for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, and Salford’s building and facilities are available to host wedding services. Salford pastors will use their discretion to discern readiness for marriage.
- All who are gifted, called, and discerned to serve in leadership positions may do so in a variety of roles regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. These leadership positions include licensed or ordained ministry, ministry leaders, board members, committee leaders and members, worship leaders, church staff, volunteers, and more.
We are grateful to James Street Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA and Belmont Mennonite Church, Elkhart, IN whose statements of inclusion were resources to us in the writing of our statement.
Affirmed by the Salford Church Board on March 7, 2023 for presentation to the congregation with the recommendation to adopt.
Affirmed by the Salford Congregation at the March 26, 2023 Congregational Meeting for immediate adoption.