1. We are committed to welcome and care about all people. 
2. We are committed to each individual developing a personal relationship with the triune God.
3. We are committed to helping each member of Good Samaritan grow in his or her relationship with God, through worship, education and fellowship.
4. We are committed to being open to help all people as we are able, including members of Good Samaritan and people in our community and beyond.
5. We are committed to supporting Good Samaritan financially within our means and participating within our range of talents and interests.
6. We are committed to providing leadership opportunities for laity and to providing professional growth opportunities for staff.
7. We are committed to an organization with shared responsibilities (clergy and laity), being willing to involve new people with new ideas.
8. We value integrity and are committed to ensuring that our actions are consistent with our words.
9. We are committed to worship excellence where spiritual practices connect human and divine, head and heart.
10. We are committed to excellence in music as an integral part of our worship experiences.
11. We are committed to providing excellent programs for children and youth. 

1. We want more opportunities to encounter diversity – racial, economic, philosophical, cultural and sexual orientation – in order to be more understanding and accepting of differences.
2. We want more education and focus on our theology and relationship with the triune God. 
3. We want to continue our mission-oriented efforts, and to provide additional service opportunities, particularly those that consist of small groups and/or require short time commitments.
4. We want to grow in church membership and participation.
5. We want a financial plan that:

6.  We want excellence in leadership, both church staff and laity.

7.  We want excellence in our worship experiences, both the spoken word and music.

8.  We want strong programs for children and youth, with growing participation in both.

The Far-Eastern parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant exists in many versions. In general, the story depicts sight impaired people touching various portions of the great animal and from their single perspective, being asked to describe what an elephant is like. One holds the tail and says an elephant is like a rope, one leans against a leg and says an elephant is like a tree, one touches the tusk and says an elephant is like a spear, one tries to hang on to the trunk and says an elephant is like a snake… Each one understandably perceives the elephant from the perspective of their own experience.

Good Samaritan is a 1000 member church located in Edina but serves the extended communities of Eden Prairie, Bloomington, Minnetonka, Hopkins, St Louis Park and Richfield.

All are Welcome! 

Call Good Samaritan UMC (952-929-0049) and ask to Speak to Mary Parsons for details about hosting an event at Good Samaritan UMC.

United Methodist Church (USA)
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
Minnesota Annual Conference UMC 
United Methodist Women - Women's Mission arm of the UM Church
Bible Gateways - a free online Biblical Search Program
Cokesbury - UM Publishing House Resources
The Upper Room - UM Devotional Materials
Reconciling Ministries Network -