L'Arche Noah Sealth of Seattle
We are people, with and without developmental disabilities,
sharing life in communities of faith.
Mutual relationships and trust in God are at the heart of our life together.
We seek to build a world that recognizes the unique value of every person and our need of one another..
• To provide loving and secure homes where men and women with developmental disabilities can progress in every way and become more capable of living a fulfilling life in community and society.
• To foster family-like relationships of mutuality & friendship where the unique gifts of persons with developmental disabilities and those who share their lives are received and celebrated in the context of community living.
• To recognize that persons with developmental disabilities not only need support but also have much to contribute to society. Therefore we seek to affirm and share the often-unseen value and capacity of each person.
• To be advocates for all persons with developmental disabilities and to work for social change so that all persons, especially those most marginalized, are more valued and included in our society.
The Charter of L'Arche (extract)
COMMUNITIES OF FAITH
1.1. L'Arche communities are communities of faith, rooted in prayer and trust in God. They seek to be guided by God and by their weakest members, through whom God's presence is revealed. Each community member is encouraged to discover and deepen his or her spiritual life and live it according
to his or her particular faith and tradition. Those who have no religious affiliation are also welcomed and respected in their freedom of conscience.
1.2. Communities are either of one faith or inter-religious. Those which are Christian are either of one church or inter-denominational. Each community maintains links with the appropriate religious authorities and its members are integrated with local churches or other places of worship.
1.3. Communities recognize that they have an ecumenical vocation and a mission to work for unity.
