The following vision was approved at the Administrative Council of UMCC on October 5, 2025 and celebrated in worship, with Superintendent Rev. Kristi McGuire, on October 26, 2025.
Using our three foci — three legs of our vision — it gives us our strategies going foreward. You will note that, while Christ comes third in our vision listing, to define what has come before, Christ comes first in our strategies we shape who it is we are called to be.
OUR VISION STATEMENT
Many Paths.
One Table.
Christ at the Center.
At the United Methodist Church of Chugiak, we believe that every person—YES—every person—has a place at God’s table.
Centered in Christ and rooted in community, we are a sacred gathering space for courageous questions, bold unity, and deep belonging. We seek common ground: welcoming all into thoughtful faith, compassionate connection, and shared hope.
Together, we reserve space for grace-filled dialogue, transformative love, and the kind of church where many journeys find one home.
Strategy One: “Christ at the Center”
Rooted in Faith, Led by the Spirit
Description:
At its core, UMCC is not a social club or civic group—it is a community of Jesus-followers seeking to embody the Gospel in daily life. “Christ at the Center” means that every gathering—from administrative meetings to potlucks to community outreach—is rooted in prayer and theological reflection.
This strategy commits the church to naming and invoking the presence of God in intentional ways, making room for silence, Scripture, prayer, and diverse theological perspectives that remain grounded in the life, teachings, and love of Christ.
Whether the language of faith is traditional, contemporary, or questioning, the shared center remains Jesus. In this, UMCC nurtures a spiritual depth that sustains its outward welcome and inward community life, ensuring that all things begin and end in the presence of the Divine.
Strategy Two: “Many Paths”
Building Relationships with Our Neighbors.
Deepening Relationships with Each Other.
Description:
UMCC is located in a place where access to services may be limited, but the flow of people—north and south—creates a vibrant network of lives and stories intersecting in our community. The vision of “Many Paths” acknowledges that these journeys are not one-way; they are mutual and sacred intersections. We are not only observing others’ paths—we are also being invited to walk alongside them, and to let their presence shape us.
This strategy calls us to deepen our relationships both within and beyond our church family. That means cultivating intentional presence with our neighbors. It also means nurturing the spiritual and relational fabric of our congregation by showing up for one another with authenticity, grace, and commitment.
We do not engage others to grow the church, but to reflect Christ’s hospitality—to honor the Spirit already at work in every life and every path.
Strategy Three: “One Table”
Welcoming All into Worship, Relationship, and Fellowship.
Description:
The “One Table” vision reminds us that the church is called to be a radically inclusive body where all are welcomed, known, and valued. This strategy focuses tangibly toward those who step through UMCC’s doors—whether long-time members, visitors, or newcomers—and invites them into the shared life of the congregation through worship and fellowship.
As a community that does not always agree on politics, theology, or practice, UMCC models the courageous love of Christ by maintaining an open table for all.
Unity is not defined by sameness, but by a shared commitment to care for one another and remain in relationship.