Just about a year ago, in the spring of 2006, the Cypress Presbyterian session decided to vote on a new vision statement. It was risky, uncomfortable and even mysterious; some would describe it as adventurous, exciting, and radical. It reads:

 “Cypress Presbyterian Church is a multilingual, multicultural, and multigenerational community of faith intentionally proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord, affirming the Love of God to all peoples, and nurturing the family of God.”

The community had changed and the congregation seemed to have stayed behind. It was time to have faith, real faith if they wished to survive. The group of all Anglos, the youngest one in its 70’s, mostly from “the greatest generation” decided to begin the transformation of their congregation into something no one knew how it would look or sound. 

Throughout the year many decisions were made toward making significant changes, improvements and even great risks. The decisions embarked the congregation into a journey involving self-discovery, prayer and discernment of scriptures; subsequently, yielding the sometimes painful changes required in seeking transformation and renewal.

Today, Cypress seems to have turned around the corner. Doubling its worship attendance, members, visitors and friends enjoy together the blending of traditional and contemporary elements spread throughout the worship hour, or hour and fifteen. The sounds of kids have filled the sanctuary, and the odd looking teens are even helping in liturgy. A vibrant, intentionally friendlier, exciting, yet respectful and elegant worship experience is enjoyed in two worship hours; one in English and the other in Spanish. You will also hear greetings in Albanian, Filipino, Portuguese, Turkish, and French.

Leadership is shared and diversity is celebrated; peoples from many places are coming together and becoming one family. We praise God and thank presbytery for all the support in allowing Cypress to become a true reflection of the multicultural nature of the Church, for giving Cypress a second chance. We are working at it!