Our church is located in a downtown neighborhood three blocks from Lake Michigan and adjacent to county and city government buildings, several other churches and a recognized historic district. Faced with the challenges of an urban environment, we are led to positively interact with our diverse immediate neighbors with an increasingly classic urban split between rich and poor, some who struggle with the issues of poverty, unemployment, educational opportunities and crime, and others, who live in newly constructed condominium developments just to our north, and middle class neighbors just south of us. While our congregation expresses high levels of lifestyle satisfaction, we recognize the opportunities to do God’s work in our immediate neighborhood. Members of our congregation participate in and provide leadership to numerous community organizations.

Located midway between Chicago and Milwaukee, Racine has a metropolitan population of 138,000. Racine offers cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities including a beautiful marina, a revitalized downtown with an art district, and museums. Racine has a large public school district, as well as a number of parochial and private schools. Three higher education institutions are located in the area.

Unity with God is our goal.
   Jesus Christ’s life is our inspiration.
      The Holy Spirit is our guide.
         The Bible is our greatest resource.
            The church is our visible, sustaining Fellowship.
               The city of Racine and beyond is our
                  opportunity to minister to all in need of 
                     God’s healing presence.

• Bear witness to God in the world
• Represent God’s healing presence in our community
• Build caring connections both within our congregation and in the larger Community
• Inspire through worship, music, opportunities for learning and mission

• enhance spiritual growth and faith development through Christian education.
  • Support Christian Education programs that provide continuity from pre-K through Adult
  • Involve pastor and staff in a teaching role
  • Continue to grow Angelfish (Middle School), Confirmation, and Sonfire (High School) groups through purposeful activities that are pastor supported
  • Bible, theological, and spiritual studies at convenient times for members to include Pastor led sessions
• organize small group ministries which strengthen interpersonal relationships, congregational fellowship, and action with a Christian purpose, including pastor led bible studies
  • Current examples include Dinners for Eight, Swingers, Book Club, Young Families, and Deborah Circle, Handbell Choir, Adult Choir, and Intercessory Prayer Group.
• care tangibly for church members in need Daily Prayer E Mail or blog, Phone calls, Visiting Shut Ins

Outcome:  To equip, refresh and strengthen us to be in the world; to be fully alive as followers bearing witness to Christ.

John 21:15-17  Feed my Lambs . . .Take care of my sheep. . . Feed my sheep.

• Offer opportunities for Christian service through mission
  • Congregational Mission:
    • Visiting Shut in members – delivering flowers
    • Visiting Hospital
    • Counseling to congregation members
    • Listening to our congregation and support their needs
    • Maintaining Membership
    • Prayer Circle
    • Adopt a College Student
  • Local mission:
    • Habitat for Humanity local home building
    • HALO (Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization)
    • Garage Sale outreach to neighborhood
    • Hand of Hope proceeds
    • Music and More proceeds
    • Partnering with Neighborhood Schools
    • Respite
    • Community Meals
    • Community Food Pantry
    • Mission Market
    • Ecumenical endeavors and partnerships with other church groups
  • National and International
    • Mission Trips
    • One Great Hour of Sharing
    • Per Capita to General Assembly
    • Theological Scholarships
    • Hope for the World International
    • Presbyterian Church Medical Benevolence Fund
    • Participation in Milwaukee Presbytery and Synod
• Support congregants’ advocacy
  • Give members an opportunity to develop a point of passion into a church ministry if it is congruent to our vision statement.

Matthew 5:14    You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.

• Attract local community members to visit/join church through an intentional marketing plan
• Make the church more welcoming and accessible to visitors with signage, brochures, and welcome packets
• Consider hospitality ministry or other way to train greeters
• Invite new members and visitors to social events and small group ministry to promote fellowship and connections among the congregation
• Explore opportunities to share our history with the community through school trips and tours and explore creating a museum
• Continue the ministries of music through Ebony and Ivory, Artist in residence, Music and More, adult and children choirs, bell choirs and music education.
• Develop new ways to reach out to the community through music
• Participate in downtown community events and reestablish connections to community-wide organizations and downtown churches
• Use computer technology to make our church more accessible through a website, and email

Psalms 66:1-4    Shout with joy to God all the earth. Sing the glory of his name. Make his praise glorious. All the earth bow down to you. They sing praise to you. They sing praise to your name.

• Offer opportunities to worship through traditions and new alternatives
• Enhance and support music programming and staff members who facilitate our music ministry; expand our music opportunities
• Present meaningful children’s sermons that engage and teach children our faith
• Preach dynamic, stimulating, challenging, and inspiring sermons
• Develop a system of integrated worship planning
• Involve youth in leading services
• Use technology and media to enhance the worship experience
• Explore other art forms as a means of worship (sacred art, sacred dance)
• Expand the tape ministry to include videos, DVDs, blogs, podcasts, etc.
• Promote worship that is lively and equips people for daily life