Page updated 17 January 2023; Burlington Presbyterian Church
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Who Are We?
We are the Presbyterian Church in Burlington, MA
We also go by “Burlington Presbyterian Church” or just “BPC”
At BPC our beloved community embraces children, youth, women, and men from many places and backgrounds. Those in our church family have come from Cameroon, Canada, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia, Lebanon, Liberia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Pennsylvania, Maine, and, yes, Massachusetts. We live in Burlington, Massachusetts and in other suburban communities north of Boston, including Andover, Arlington, Bedford, Billerica, Haverhill, Lexington, Lowell, North Andover, North Reading, Salem, Saugus, Stoneham, Tewksbury, and Woburn. We are all made in the image of God, and are on a shared journey to “Do Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with our God.” You’re welcome to join us on our journey. Our congregation is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbytery of Boston.
We meet for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am. Worship services are also streamed online using Zoom. Because there is still significant community transmission of the COVID virus in Middlesex County, we ask that everyone please wear face masks inside the building, regardless of vaccination status.
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Inclusivity
The Presbyterian Church (USA) declares that the Church “strives everywhere to testify to Christ’s embrace of men, women, and children of all times, places, races, nations, ages, conditions, and stations in life” (the Book of Order F-1.0302). The Presbyterian Church in Burlington welcomes all to participate fully in the life of our congregation. We embrace diversity and affirm the dignity and worth of all people. We welcome persons of every race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender-identity / expression and sexual orientation (including LGBTQ+), physical or mental condition, socioeconomic standing, marital status and faith background. At the Presbyterian Church in Burlington, all may share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in Christ’s Body, the Church.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
Ephesians 2:19-22
Burlington Equity Coalition
We support the Burlington Equity Coalition, a group of local organizations committed to building an inclusive, equitable and welcoming town community that benefits from the diverse knowledge, cultures, talents and contributions of all its residents.
Leadership
Leadership in the Presbyterian Church is a shared power, exercised by Ministers and Elders gathered in councils.
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Learn More About Us:
What makes Presbyterians unique? What’s special about Burlington Presbyterian? In this 22-minute episode of Spiritually Speaking, host Rabbi Susan Abramson explores our church community and faith tradition with Pastor Trina Portillo, Pastor Emeritus Rod MacDonald, and members of our church. Produced by Burlington Cable Access TV (BCAT).
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Our Vision
Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8)
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Membership & Ministry
Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission. Faithful members bear witness to God’s love and grace and promise to be involved in the ministry of Christ’s Church.
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What We Believe
The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a “confessional” church. Our confessions of faith (also called creeds) define what we, as a community, believe. We have confessions because we are a community of believers, not a random collection of individuals. The Confessions form and reflect our community by describing our shared story and common values. They affirm our beliefs about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, humanity, the church and the world. The confessions of faith adopted by the PCUSA are collected in our Book of Confessions.
Our beliefs are summarized in “A Brief Statement of Faith,” adopted in 1983.
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The Great Ends of the Church
The Presbyterian Book of Order (F-1.0304) defines the six Great Ends of the Church as:
- the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind;
- the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God;
- the maintenance of divine worship;
- the preservation of the truth;
- the promotion of social righteousness; and
- the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.
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Food Justice
Commitment to food justice is an important, long-standing ministry of our congregation.
Look here for currently needed items at the Burlington Food Pantry.
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Facility Rental
As a service to the Burlington community, we offer rental of our Fellowship Hall (28 x 48 feet) at a reasonable cost for private or public events. Hall rental is being approved on a case-by-case basis as we continue to monitor the community spread of COVID-19 in Middlesex County.
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Our Parking Lot
Yes, our large parking lot is a distinct asset. Commuters are welcome to park here. The 350 bus, connecting to Alewife Station, stops in front of the church. There is no fee to park in our lot; twice a year we ask commuters for donations to defray the costs of maintenance, such as snow plowing. We also have a bike rack for cyclers.
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Little Free Library
Burlington Community Access Television (BCAT) just did a feature spot on the Little Free Libraries around Burlington including our own in front of the church. Here’s the News Feature:
Presbyterian Church in Burlington 