The mission of the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan is to respond to God’s love that comes to us in the gift of his son Jesus Christ by sharing that love with our neighbors as we come together as a community of the Body of Christ for common prayer, worship, and service in this peaceful place that nurtures our spiritual journeys.
Our Vision:
The Church of the Good Samaritan is a spiritual center: an inclusive, caring, and welcoming religious community centered in our savior Jesus Christ. We provide a peaceful, healing environment in which to discern God's calling in various ways and deepen our knowledge and understanding of God's will.
Inclusive. We grow in our love of one another, and show tolerance and acceptance of all God's people, embracing our diversity. We are open-minded to thoughts that differ from our own and promote an environment where differences of opinions are not only tolerated, but encouraged.
Caring. We live the ideals of the Good Samaritan: caring for the full Body of Christ. We are known as a friendly church that actively reaches out to others both within our congregation, within our neighborhood, and within Knoxville and beyond through various ministries including pastoral care, outreach, and service. We understand that caring includes being faithful stewards of God's creation and the gracious bounty with which we have been blessed.
Welcoming. We are known throughout the Knoxville area as a friendly, supportive, inviting community. We continually strive to live like Disciples of Christ; reaching out to others, actively touching and transforming lives through our hospitality, and welcoming others to Jesus Christ. We spread God's message through the sharing of our faith stories and spiritual journeys, thereby articulating our Christian faith and the strengths of our congregation to others. We look for opportunities to invite others to be part of this community of faith. (Read The Episcopal Church Welcomes You Statement.)
Healing. We are a place where pilgrims seek spiritual comfort centered in Jesus Christ. We are a place of peace, of refuge, of security; a "spiritual presence." We are a place free from the kind of oppression, condemnation and guilt that has caused so many to be alienated from Christianity. Our worship and our peaceful environment are uplifting to the soul and promote spiritual healing, contemplation, and reflection.
Discerning. We are a haven for spiritual growth and development. We provide a non-judgmental environment that encourages spiritual and theological learning, inquiry, and discernment in different ways. We help everyone discern a calling and use their gifts and talents in a ministry that fulfills for them God's call on their lives and gives everyone a roll in the ministry we share. Our Christian Education program provides the forum for increased knowledge for all age groups.
