About Touchstone
Boerne's theologically progressive, open an d affirming United Church of Christ
Touchstone Community Church was born on June 30, 2019 after a long, heart-rendering labor. The church was conceived years before in the hearts and minds of two women (Rev. Kerry Kirtley and Rev. Billie Watts) who had a passion for an inclusive, life-giving, justice-seeking faith community where God’s love for ALL people (without exception) would be boldly proclaimed. While both had previous ties to another denomination, they could no longer participate in that denomination’s discriminatory policies, and both decided to pursue connection with the United Church of Christ in hopes of bringing into reality the dream God had placed in their hearts and God’s call to ministry on their lives.
On June 30, 2019, Touchstone hosted a celebratory worship service on the heels of the second Boerne Pride Walk, a walk of solidarity with LGBTQIA+ persons and allies in the Boerne community, an event organized by the Boerne PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Seventy-five people attended the first celebratory service, validating the long-held belief that there was an urgent need in Boerne for an open and affirming, life-giving, justice-seeking, spiritual faith community.
On June 30, 2019, Touchstone hosted a celebratory worship service on the heels of the second Boerne Pride Walk, a walk of solidarity with LGBTQIA+ persons and allies in the Boerne community, an event organized by the Boerne PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Seventy-five people attended the first celebratory service, validating the long-held belief that there was an urgent need in Boerne for an open and affirming, life-giving, justice-seeking, spiritual faith community.
During the summer of 2019, Touchstone held monthly meetings, followed by bi-monthly meetings in October and November. On December 1, 2019, Touchstone Community Church began hosting weekly services just in time for Advent, and we have never looked back.
The dream of many in our community has become a reality, and Pastors Billie and Kerry are humbled by and grateful for this opportunity to be a spiritual home and place of reconciliation for many who, for various reasons, had no such place. The definition of a touchstone is a test or criterion for determining the quality or genuineness of a thing. At Touchstone, we have the tagline: “Keepin’ it REAL.” And so we shall.
We now cherish the path that brought us all together to this place in this time. We commit ourselves to the work of God in our midst and to being a prophetic voice in our community as we seek a just world for all.
We hope you will join us on this journey of faith. We are saving a place for YOU!
The dream of many in our community has become a reality, and Pastors Billie and Kerry are humbled by and grateful for this opportunity to be a spiritual home and place of reconciliation for many who, for various reasons, had no such place. The definition of a touchstone is a test or criterion for determining the quality or genuineness of a thing. At Touchstone, we have the tagline: “Keepin’ it REAL.” And so we shall.
We now cherish the path that brought us all together to this place in this time. We commit ourselves to the work of God in our midst and to being a prophetic voice in our community as we seek a just world for all.
We hope you will join us on this journey of faith. We are saving a place for YOU!
Mission
Inspired and empowered by the Spirit, we are
an open and affirming,
justice-seeking,
theologically progressive faith community
that boldly embodies the grace,
unconditional love,
and mission of Jesus in the world.
an open and affirming,
justice-seeking,
theologically progressive faith community
that boldly embodies the grace,
unconditional love,
and mission of Jesus in the world.
What we believe
. . . that God is still speaking and is always loving
. . . that Jesus came to include - not exclude, to reconcile -not retaliate, to save -not condemn
. . . that all are created of sacred worth and dignity and made in the image of the Divine
. . . that love is the fullest expression of God in the world
. . . in unity, not uniformity
. . . In standing up to injustice, in whatever forms it presents itself
. . . That asking questions leads to deeper understanding
. . . Sabbath rest
. . . In relevant, vibrant, authentic worship
. . . that Jesus came to include - not exclude, to reconcile -not retaliate, to save -not condemn
. . . that all are created of sacred worth and dignity and made in the image of the Divine
. . . that love is the fullest expression of God in the world
. . . in unity, not uniformity
. . . In standing up to injustice, in whatever forms it presents itself
. . . That asking questions leads to deeper understanding
. . . Sabbath rest
. . . In relevant, vibrant, authentic worship
Vision
We envision a place where ALL can
Belong: to God, one another, and all creation
Become: fully who God created us to be
Be-loved: no matter WHO we are or WHERE we are on the journey of faith
Belong: to God, one another, and all creation
Become: fully who God created us to be
Be-loved: no matter WHO we are or WHERE we are on the journey of faith
Our values
Touchstone faith community is founded on the commitment to bring about a just world for all. The values that bind us together are: justice, unconditional love, affirming, unity, healing, inclusivity, authenticity, becoming, peace, acceptance, sacred worth & dignity, belonging, boldness, God is still speaking, compassion, courage, rest, grace, hope, forgiveness, solidarity, mindfulness, integrity, and shalom.