June 30th, 2020
Dear Church Family,
In 2007, our church was prayed over and planted in this neighborhood to serve and lead people to Jesus. Today, we are still one of only four churches in the entire neighborhood and with that comes a great responsibility. Since the beginning of our church, we have always been a place for all to gather, welcoming anyone into our church community.
More than likely, you have heard the recent discussion and news coverage around the name “Stapleton” and its historical association. While we cannot change the past, we can move forward and declare that the name does not represent this diverse neighborhood and our values of loving and welcoming all.
Therefore, the church’s Elder Board has recently voted to remove “Stapleton” from our name. The process will take some time as we want to hear from you, our church members, and be thoughtful about the next steps and how we rebrand. You are the heart of the church and we will share details and updates with you as we move forward.
As I write this, a wonderful memory comes to mind. At one of our membership classes a year-and-a-half ago, we welcomed in fifteen new members representing nine different nations of origin. Though there is much work to be done, we have always celebrated diversity and strive to be a church for people and families from every race, ethnicity and background. We don’t want a name to get in the way of that and of furthering our mission of helping people know, love and follow Jesus.
This verse from Revelation 5:9 applies beautifully to our current time and one we must remember. Jesus, the center of our faith, died to save, “persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Moreover, all of those persons will be united in heaven in worship. Therefore, we continue to pursue that unity in diversity here in our church.
We are a church that must love like Jesus--loving our neighbors with a costly love.
In love,
Matt Wolf
Lead Pastor