Our Story, Our Mission, and Our Core Values
Our Story
Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Swedish immigrants came to Washington, CT seeking employment. Work was available in town, and soon there were several Swedish families who put down roots here. By 1888, these people were ready to establish their own church. They bought land by the Shepaug River and their church was dedicated the Sunday before Christmas 1889.
For nearly 125 years, Salem has been at work worshipping God and serving the community and the world from this small town in Connecticut. Sunday schools, Lydia Circles, Smorgasbords, and Julottas have dotted our history. Pastors and youth pastors have come and gone. Members and friends have come and gone. We are no longer a church of Swedes, but a diversity of people from different backgrounds and with different experiences. Our congregation has expanded from a community of believers from Washington, CT to a gathering of people from around our region in northwestern Connecticut. We have moved from a church on the river to our current location on the hill.
What has not changed however, is the goodness of God at work in this gathering of people. God has bound us together as a community and called us to serve neighbors both near and far. Come and be a part of the Salem family! We welcome you!
Our Mission
Our mission at Salem is to provide for opportunities for ourselves and others to get to know Jesus Christ, to learn more about God and God's Word, to worship him in a comfortable and relaxed environment, and to serve the people of our community and world.
We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment where all people feel loved and accepted by each other so that we can, in turn, gain a more clear understanding of ourselves and God.
We are committed to equipping loving and growing Christians who are actively involved with worship, ministry, prayer, and outreach, Bible study, stewardship, and evangelism. In accord with Micah 6:8, we are committed to equipping Christians who seek to "do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God."
Our Core Values
We value:
- People of all ages and their families: The emphasis we place on children's ministries, youth ministries, and the ministries we do with adults and families reveals this.
- The uniqueness of individuals: We recognize that everyone comes with a story, a unique set of gifts, and a unique set of experiences, needs, and interests.
- Community and togetherness: We appreciate the shared sense of commitment and responsibility for our church that ties us together within our congregation. We also value the friendships that are formed through our congregational life.
- Fun and fellowship: We like to laugh and have fun together. Attending worship services and programs ae done willingly and not out of a sense of obligation or duty.
- Love and acceptance: We recognize that people come to church for love and acceptance, not judgment and scrutiny. Everyone has problems and we all need enough care and acceptance to have the strength and courage to face them.
- Communication and openness: We feel comfortable sharing openly about our personal struggles and family crises. We value honesty and vulnerability in our worship services and in our fellowship with one another.
- Prayer and praise: We value prayer because it invites God into our lives. and it allows us to have communion with him. We value praise because we value God's place in our lives, and it also allows us to rejoice with those who are rejoicing.
- Worship and spirituality: We all have spiritual lives that are nurtured in a variety of different ways both inside and outside the church. Worship is one thing we all share in together to bring glory to God.
- Time and involvement: We recognize the value of time in all of our lives. Organizationally, we have sought to respect people's time and to use time people offer effectively. We also value participation and commitment.
- Outreach and missions: We value opportunities to serve beyond our church walls. Mission trips and serving at Loaves and Fishes has sparked this interest for many. Our support of Covenant World Missions and Covenant World Relief also reveal this core value.
