Loving Hospitality is about offering sanctuary—a safe space for each person—especially those who may not feel safe in other places. We try to respond to the distinct needs of each individual guest. Our first impulse is “yes” and our first effort is to accommodate each request if we possibly can. At the same time, this hospitality doesn’t necessarily mean the guest is right. It means that we ask every guest to join in a shared effort to welcome and accommodate the diverse needs of whoever is sharing this open space together.
Beloved Community: We strive to emulate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of the Beloved Community. We work actively to dismantle systemic racism and assure that people of all ages, gender expressions, abilities, sexual orientations and religious traditions are honored here. We commit to practice “radical humility,” recognizing that we are an imperfect organization that too often reflects a world seeking to systemically privilege some people over others. We aim to disrupt systems of oppression and respond non-defensively when we are called out for failing to live up to this commitment.
Brave Space: A brave space allows our participants to express themselves, positively challenge one another, and learn from one another. We seek to create a space for individuals marginalized in the broader culture who are respected partners in the shared work of healing the world. At the same time, we support and encourage anyone centered in the dominant culture to step out of their comfort zones and examine the implications of unearned privilege in their lives.
Multi-Faith: We believe that Stony Point Center is a sacred space. Our practice of radical hospitality and radical humility is spiritual work. We strive to live out fundamental values articulated by the Presbyterian Church USA in 2014. The values recognize Christians are no longer the dominant cultural force in our country, but instead a valued thread in a beautifully woven tapestry of religious diversity.
Sustainability: We recognize that the climate crisis demands behavioral change from all of us. Our goal is to protect the environment by reducing our guests, volunteers, and employees’ “environmental footprint.” This commitment includes growing food on our land, adopting energy and water conservation practices, reducing waste, recycling, and composting. Wherever possible, we purchase from local food growers and support fair trade and sustainable businesses.
Land Acknowledgement: For a thousand years, the land where Stony Point Center is located was inhabited by various Munsee Delaware (Lenape) nations, including the Tappan, the Rumanchenak and the Nyack. These people left the area due to European encroachment. Today, we at Stony Point Center are in an ongoing relationship of deepening solidarity with the Ramapough Lenape who are indigenous to this land.
