Vision & Mission
The FCUCC Visioning Committee spearheaded the efforts to clarify what makes us unique as a faith community. Information was gathered and discussed by church members and staff, friends, and community leaders; this process took almost two years to complete.  We tried to respect our spiritual heritage and traditions -- biblical, congregational, denominational, and personal -- while undertaking the specific mission God has for us in this place at this time.

Out of this process came both vision and mission statements for the church. Our vision is our concept of who we are as a faith community, and our mission describes how we approach our faith. Together, these two elements help us focus our daily ministries and church life.

Vision Statement
We are an embracing community, public sanctuary, and prophetic Christian voice.

Mission Statement
   1. To be a progressive, risk-taking, Christian faith community

   2. To be a spiritual community that follows the way of Jesus as the Christ
   3. To be welcome, open, and affirming to all
   4. To engage the wider world with acts of mercy, peace, grace, and justice
 
1. To be a progressive, risk-taking, Christian faith community
Our congregation began with the intent of providing a progressive Christian presence in the Asheville area. We continue to offer an alternative model of Christian community, embracing the national UCC declaration that God is Still Speaking in the world. Our congregation speaks with a prophetic voice and also makes a compassionate commitment to our members as well as to our neighbors. We take risks in reaching out, proactively seeking to serve as a catalyst for social and congregational change. We believe that clarity which comes from critical reflection will help us to continue to evolve as a faith community and will also empower both laity and staff to act decisively. We invite members and friends to be true to themselves, and we encourage personal authenticity as we connect around common passions, interests, and goals. We seek to foster emotional and spiritual intimacy and connection in our relationships with one another.

2. To be a spiritual community that follows the way of Jesus as the Christ

Our congregation embraces a God-centered way of fostering spiritual growth. We understand spirituality as a seeking approach to the Divine that accepts mystery, ambiguity, and awe with an unflagging hope. We believe that whenever love of God, neighbor, and self are practiced together, such paths are a way of following Jesus as the Christ, whether or not these individual paths bear the name of Jesus. We are contemplative, creative, and often playful – a faith community with both roots and wings. We celebrate God's love, artistry in creation, joy, and prophetic voice in what may be seen, heard, felt, tasted, sung, and spoken in the vibrant worship which is central to our community life. We nurture people for their faith journeys, inside and outside the church. We strive to create an intergenerational faith community that is centered, intentional about our beliefs and practices, celebratory, energizing, and transforming in its effects.

3. To be welcome, open, and affirming to all

Our Open and Affirming stance means what it says: all are welcome in our congregation. We believe that no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. We celebrate our growing diversity, and believe it is a gift from God as we seek to become an even more inclusive congregation. We accept the challenges and blessings that come with this calling. We are committed to ending prejudice, discrimination, and exclusionary practices. Our congregation practices hospitality to members, friends, neighbors, and strangers. In addition, we provide a sanctuary for LGBTQ persons.

4. To engage the wider world with acts of mercy, peace, grace, and justice

We believe that love of God, love of neighbor, and love of creation are inseparable. Our congregation actively reaches out to the wider world in advocating justice, peace, and environmental responsibility. We are a public/city church, open to the community and committed to speak to civic and social issues. Our congregation regularly and actively engages with persons experiencing homelessness. We encourage and value ecumenical and interfaith connections to make a difference in the larger community. Here, too, we take risks, because we see it as part of Christ’s way. We seek to engage the world by acts of mercy, peace, grace, and justice, so that truth and beauty may walk together in prayer and in community.