Hospitality is love expressed as space. From the beginning of Scripture, we see a God who makes room in creation for humanity, room in covenant for wandering people, room at the table for strangers and those hungry for connection. Again and again, God’s love looks like welcome. Belonging is not optional for human flourishing. It is as essential as shelter, food, and water. We were created for connection. And yet, people of faith have too often withheld belonging from those who needed it most. We want to do things differently.
As we look toward 2026 and beyond, we believe God is inviting us into a new season where we intentionally make room for others by creating space for new people & new generations, our neighbors, and people with disabilities. To ensure that everyone is not only welcomed at the door, but also able to truly belong.
Because love makes room.
Joe announced this initiative on Sunday, March 22nd. You can listen to that sermon below.
Making Room for New People & New Generations
We believe there are people in our community who would return to church if it felt accessible again—spiritually, emotionally, and culturally. We want to create new on-ramps for those who may have stepped away from church or are willing to give it one last try. We are exploring launching a new weekly worship gathering designed for young adults, spiritually curious people, and those disconnected from traditional Sunday mornings. Alongside this, we will expand small groups and creative spaces for honest conversation, authentic expression, and faith exploration with a continued focus on children, youth, and young adults.
Making Room for our Neighbors
Making Room is not only about what happens inside our church — but it’s also about how we show up in our community. We have already begun this work through initiatives like the Feminine Resources Free Store, which provides essential hygiene products to those in need, and our Religious Trauma Team, which creates space for individuals to process their experiences while also equipping other churches to do the same. As we move forward, we will continue exploring new ways to serve our neighbors by meeting tangible needs and addressing systemic challenges in our city. Our commitment is to be a church that not only welcomes people in, but actively goes out — creating space for dignity, healing, and hope in the communities around us.
Making Room For People with Disabilities
Every week, we host dozens of adults with disabilities through our City Friends ministry, Goodwill partnership, and collaborations with Friends and Family Network. Our building should reflect our values. When we say “everyone is welcome,” our space should agree. But our current lift is aging and requires assistance to operate. We envision replacing it with a new modern, reliable elevator/lift that allows independent, dignified access. With your help, we will finalize a feasibility study and explore potential funding options with the hope of launching a capital campaign in 2027.
Timeline Overview
February–May 2026:
Vision casting, team formation, pilot groups, and feasibility studies for lift replacement.
June–August 2026:
Launch and refine a new worship gathering, evaluate youth and small-group growth, and finalize the lift proposal and cost projections.
September–December 2026:
Strengthen new ministries, expand successful groups, prepare capital campaign plans, and grant applications.
January 2027 and Beyond:
Launch capital campaign, submit grants, begin lift replacement, and approve improvements.
Ways to Get Involved
1. Volunteer: Help us make room. Join the launch team for the new worship service, serve with youth, lead or host a small group, or help create spaces for creativity and connection. Your time and gifts can shape what this becomes.
2. Give: We are stepping out in faith to try new things and prepare our church for the future. Your generosity makes it possible to create space for new people, invest in the next generation, and improve our building. Consider how you might support Making Room financially.
3. Pray: God’s grace is never-ending, and we trust that it will continue to meet us during this time as we step out in bold, new ways. Pray for wisdom, unity, courage, and for lives to be transformed as we step forward together.
To accomplish this work, we need to see our monthly giving increase by at least $3000/month over the next 6 months.
