Our Expansive Welcome
West Raleigh Is a Matthew 25 Congregation
"…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…" -Matthew 25:35-37
​
Convicted by this passage in Matthew, Presbyterian (USA) General Assemblies in 2016 and 2018 called on congregations to act boldly and compassionately to serve those who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned and poor.
​
They outlined three goals for Matthew 25 congregations:
1) Building congregational vitality
2) Dismantling structural racism
3) Eradicating systemic poverty
​
Becoming a Matthew 25 congregation hasn’t changed the vision at West Raleigh; rather, it has further focused and grounded our work in Christ’s vision for the world.
West Raleigh is a More Light Church!
"Following the risen Christ, and seeking to make the Church a true community of hospitality, the mission of More Light Presbyterians is to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society."
- mlp.org
​
Our Congregation values inclusion across faith experiences, sexual orientations, gender expressions, and cultural backgrounds. We believe it is our responsibility to bring the kingdom of God to our world through our love of and service to others. We believe that affirming More Light makes a statement about these beliefs to the world, making clear our commitment to include all voices and value all our brothers, sisters, and siblings.
Session Statement on Dismantling Racism
West Raleigh Presbyterian Church is dedicated to following Jesus’s commandment to love our neighbor, and thus we stand in solidarity with all who affirm that Black lives matter and repudiate discrimination, violence, and mass incarceration against people of color. We commit to resisting and opposing the culture of white supremacy in all ways, including prayer, education, organizing, protesting, and voting. We also pledge to examine our own unconscious prejudices with clear eyes in order to shape a beloved community that embraces and cares equitably for all of God’s people.