Vision Statement: First Congregational Church of Stamford is in the heart of the city alive at the crossroads of faith and community.

We are a Historic Church, with New Vision and a Timeless Message. As one of the oldest churches in Connecticut and founder of the city of Stamford, our history helps shape who we are today, as a church and as a community. Our history shapes in us a passion for helping people to experience the love and peace of God in every aspect of their lives. The generations of our congregation have endured the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World Wars and have continued to be strong through the Great Depression and other economic crises. As a congregation, we have inherited a legacy of resiliency, courage, and grace.

Our faith across the centuries has brought us this far and continues to lead us into the future as we co-create with God the next era of ministry and service to the community.

The new era of our church ministry is marked in several ways:

• Building on our legacy of ministry. We are meeting community needs in ways we have not explored before and collaborating in new ways with other religious and community organizations.

• Demonstrating God’s wide love. Honoring our commitment as a congregation that is Open and Affirming of all people, we proclaim marriage as a sacred covenant regardless of sexual orientation.

Guided by a Timeless Message of God’s unconditional love and welcome, God’s invitation to every person to allow the divine presence ofGod to manifest in our lives, and God’s ongoing revelation to us, this is our New Vision:

• Worship and music. We offer different styles of worship and music that honor the theological, racial, and cultural diversity of the congregation and that inspire, strengthen, and transform lives.

•  Welcome and hospitality. We are a community of faith that provides a sacred and safe space where individuals are encouraged and nurtured to share freely their own unique and authentic selves.

•  Teaching and learning. We provide a range of educational programs, small groups, lectures, reading materials, and spiritual retreats for people of all ages to deepen and express their Christian faith in the world.

• Mission and outreach. We bring faithful action to address critical community needs, especially in the areas of housing, food, and health, reaching individuals locally, nationally, and globally.

This is our vision. Be a part of it as it unfolds!