- Open & Affirming Statement
approved at a meeting of the congregation March
17, 2002
- - approved 77-22
Circle of Faith - Statement of Inclusion
"...you shall love the Lord
your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength... You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other
commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)
First Church Congregational, U.C.C. is a diverse Christian
faith community. We embrace, affirm, and celebrate this diversity with
Christian love. We welcome and support all people equally, regardless of
marital, social or economic status, race, ability, sexual orientation,
ethnicity, gender, age, or previous religious affiliation. We declare our
openness and affirmation especially to all who have been diminished by
prejudice, bigotry, and oppression.
We offer all sacraments and rites to all who enter our
circle of faith, and extend all responsibilities and privileges to those
who choose
covenant membership.
We honor human relationships that are based on love,
responsibility, mutual respect, trust, and fidelity. Knowing that this
commitment poses a spiritual challenge, we gently encourage each other to
remove all barriers. We are secure in the knowledge that God's love is for
everyone.
