HOW WE'RE DIFFERENT
BELOVED is intentionally redefining what it means to be church
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We are progressive.
We are Christians following the path of Jesus. We believe living out Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbors can lead to wholeness and a connection with God. We also welcome the wisdom of other traditions and belief systems, and we engage in inclusive understandings of the Sacred. Both belief and doubt are welcome here! We are inclusive. We seek to be a safe place to land for people who have been betrayed or hurt by church. For far too long, the institutional church has excluded people who are dealing with mental illness; people who identify as LGBTQ+; people of color; and others who may not “fit the mold.” We are breaking the silence and affirming that all people are beloved children of God. We celebrate our God-given diversity, and we are committed to repairing social and racial injustices and inequities in our world through anti-racist work, education and compassionate action. |
More information about our history as a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and what we believe can be found on our WHO ARE THE DOC page. |
We are accessible and informal.
BELOVED gatherings are currently held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we previously met in homes, apartment clubhouses, and parks for Bible studies, Compassion Practice groups, workshops, book studies, worship, social gatherings, and other celebrations of our life together. At our Sunday worship, currently held via Zoom and Facebook Live, we connect over refreshments, music, prayer, sacred conversation, scriptures, and communion. Singing is simple, dress is casual and the atmosphere is welcoming and joyous.
We have spiritual practices, not dogma.
We engage in many ancient and modern ways of spirituality, including different forms of prayer, meditation, the Compassion Practice, and more. We regularly celebrate the Christian practice of Communion at an Open Table where all people are welcome to participate fully, regardless of background, beliefs or identity.
We invite new disciples to follow Jesus through the Christian rite of Baptism. Celebration of baptism is a public expression of a personal decision. We encourage this practice to be proclaimed in a way most meaningful to the individual — from simple sprinkling in your backyard to full immersion in the Pacific Ocean!
We are guided by a Ministry Table, not a Constitution & Bylaws.
A roundtable of diverse leaders listens and offers guidance to the mission and ministry of BELOVED.
BELOVED gatherings are currently held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we previously met in homes, apartment clubhouses, and parks for Bible studies, Compassion Practice groups, workshops, book studies, worship, social gatherings, and other celebrations of our life together. At our Sunday worship, currently held via Zoom and Facebook Live, we connect over refreshments, music, prayer, sacred conversation, scriptures, and communion. Singing is simple, dress is casual and the atmosphere is welcoming and joyous.
We have spiritual practices, not dogma.
We engage in many ancient and modern ways of spirituality, including different forms of prayer, meditation, the Compassion Practice, and more. We regularly celebrate the Christian practice of Communion at an Open Table where all people are welcome to participate fully, regardless of background, beliefs or identity.
We invite new disciples to follow Jesus through the Christian rite of Baptism. Celebration of baptism is a public expression of a personal decision. We encourage this practice to be proclaimed in a way most meaningful to the individual — from simple sprinkling in your backyard to full immersion in the Pacific Ocean!
We are guided by a Ministry Table, not a Constitution & Bylaws.
A roundtable of diverse leaders listens and offers guidance to the mission and ministry of BELOVED.
