We are not alone,

we live in God’s world.

We believe in God:

who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,

to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.

We are not alone.

Thanks be to God.

Community

We, St. James United Church, are a downtown congregation that: responds to the spiritual needs of diverse groups of people; confirms and nurtures people from different cultures, races, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and those who are challenged and with different abilities as we come together to live our faith in Jesus Christ; – welcomes all of God’s people.

Worship

We, St. James United Church, offer a worship experience that: uses traditional and contemporary liturgy to connect to our Christian story of faith; offers reflection on the Gospel that enables deepening of faith and the greater understanding of the meaning of life; offers prayers that respond to the concerns of our people, our city, and our world; offers a vibrant music program that is inspirational and participatory; provides welcome, membership, and nurture through the holy sacraments of baptism and communion.

Christian Education

We, St. James United Church, provide a place for people to grow spiritually through: a variety of opportunities to explore and engage faith as individuals and as a congregation; small group ministry, programs, and activities that meet the needs and concerns of the congregation and the wider community.

Outreach

We, St. James United Church, live out our faith with others through: opening our doors to the city; encouraging empowerment and mutuality in our outreach ministry; joining with community partners in an effort to live with justice in the world.

Future

We, St. James United Church, are moving into the future: as an active member of Montreal’s life by offering a place for spiritual, social and cultural growth; upholding the value of individual and community stewardship where all are contributing as they are able of their time, talent, and financial resources; with a deep awareness of the gift St. James United is to its congregation and the community and with a heartfelt desire to ensure that St. James United will thrive well into the future.

Statements of Faith

Before the United Church of Canada was created, delegates from the Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian churches spent some time working out the basic structures, procedures and beliefs of the new denomination established in the Basis of Union. Click here to read the Articles of Faith in the Basis of Union, the founding document of our church (1925).

Once the United Church was brought into being in 1925, new ways of stating these fundamental beliefs in the language of their times were developed over the years. For detailed information on the faith convictions of The United Church of Canada, see both an Overview of Beliefs, and United Church Social Policy Positions as well as the following documents on the national church website: A Statement of Faith (1940); “A New Creed,” (see above) a brief and well-loved statement of our relationships with God and with one another (1968, with later revisions); and “A Song of Faith,” a contemporary statement of our faith (2006)

For a more complete statement of our beliefs, please read Our Words of Faith: Cherished, Honoured, and Living, a study document for all pastoral charges and presbyteries for a denomination-wide process to be completed before the summer of 2012.

Questions or comments? contact james@qc.aibn.com.
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