Mission Statement:
We are called by God to share the love of Christ.
Vision:
We gather in Christ, grow in love, and go in service.
What We Believe
God
We believe in one God, Creator of all that exists, who is loving, just, and merciful. God is present in our world, active in creation, and calling all people into relationship, care, and community. God’s love is boundless, inclusive, and freely given, reaching every person regardless of background, identity, or circumstance.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, came into the world to reconcile humanity to God. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus shows us the way of radical love, mercy, and justice. His teachings guide our faith, inspire our actions, and call us to stand with the marginalized, the oppressed, and the vulnerable.
Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is God’s presence among us, guiding, comforting, and empowering us to live faithfully. The Spirit equips the church for service, inspires creativity, and nurtures discernment, helping us to act with courage, compassion, and hope.
Scripture
We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, revealing God’s story of love and salvation. We read Scripture through the lens of Christ, seeking understanding, wisdom, and guidance for our lives today. We honor the ongoing work of interpretation, knowing that faithful study and questioning strengthen our faith and our witness in the world.
The Church
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, called to worship, serve, and witness to God’s love. Our community gathers in word and sacrament, supports one another, and works for justice and reconciliation in the wider world. We affirm and celebrate all people as full members of Christ’s body.
Sacraments
We believe that God meets us in tangible ways through the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Baptism marks the beginning of life in Christ and welcomes all into God’s covenant of grace. In Holy Communion, we share Christ’s presence, breaking bread together as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. All are welcome to the table, without exception.
Sin
We believe that sin is anything that separates us from God, from one another, or from the fullness of life God intends for us. It shows up in our actions, our choices, and the systems around us that perpetuate harm or cause injustice. Yet in God’s grace, sin is never the final word. God is always reaching out to us with mercy, offering forgiveness, healing, and the chance to live abundant lives with God, with each other, and with creation.
Grace
At Gloria Dei, we believe that God’s grace is freely given and never earned. It meets us where we are—bringing forgiveness, healing, and new beginnings. Grace calls us to live with hope, love, and generosity, reminding us that we are always held, valued, and beloved by God.
Marriage and Sexuality
We believe sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression are gifts to be honored. Our congregation welcomes and affirms all people as they are. We celebrate committed, loving relationships between partners of any gender and support all couples seeking marriage. We reject discrimination, exclusion, and condemnation based on sexuality or gender, trusting that God calls us to live in communities of inclusion, affirmation, and love.
Membership
Becoming a member of a congregation is a way to deepen your connection with God through community. Membership is a commitment to grow in faith, participate in worship and service, and support one another in life’s joys and challenges. The marks of membership in our denomination include publicly professing to be a member of the congregation, attending our worship and communing with us, and giving of financial resources to support the ministry of the church.
Stewardship
Stewardship is what we do with what God has given us. This includes sharing our time, talents, and resources in gratitude for God’s abundance. At Gloria Dei, stewardship supports worship, programs, outreach, and the care of our community and creation. Every gift—large or small—is meaningful and helps us grow together in faith, service, and love.
Faith in Action
We believe that faith is active, not passive. Following Jesus’ example, we are called to live with courage, hope, and love—pursuing justice, equity, and compassion in every part of our lives. Following Jesus’ example, we love God and neighbor by pursuing justice, caring for creation, and serving those in need. We embrace diversity in all its forms—race, ability, gender, culture, and life experience—and strive to make our community a place of belonging, learning, and growth for everyone.
You are welcome here. Always.
Not Afraid to Love
Gloria Dei is an open and affirming congregation- all are unique and beloved children of God. We commit ourselves to the work of anti-racism, social, environmental and economic justice; while growing in faith and service to the community.
We at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church are called by Jesus to love God and one another, to practice generous hospitality, and to serve all. All are welcome regardless of race, culture, ethnicity, age, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities, socioeconomic position, family status, background, housing status, or where you are in your faith journey. We are not afraid to love.
This is Christ’s teaching: to love one another as God loves us all.
Land Acknowledgement
As we gather for worship and ministry, we acknowledge that this land and water is the traditional territory of three federally recognized Coast Salish tribes: the Cowlitz, Nisqually, and Squaxin. The surrounding mountains, valleys, shorelines, and waterways are imbued with their presence. We seek to nurture our relationship with our indigenous neighbors and our shared responsibility to this place, their homeland, where we abide.
Our Denomination
About the ELCA, About the SW WA Synod