Intersectional LGBTQIA+ Affirmation


Official Open & Affirming statement adopted by the congregation May 18, 1997
We Believe:
That God knows, cares for and loves all persons regardless of the differences that set us apart.
That God forgives and reconciles all persons through Jesus Christ.
That God sustains and empowers all persons though the Holy Spirit.
That every person brings unique, god-given gifts that the Christian community can affirm.
That the common commitment to Jesus Christ binds into a caring community of persons of diverse gifts, backgrounds, needs, and life situations.
That the church is in need of forgiveness whenever it fails to affirm the full humanity of any person or group.
Therefore:
As an expression of the practice and conviction of our faith, we declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming Church made up of and welcoming people who share with us the covenant that binds us together regardless of such distinctions as race, gender, age, nationality, economic circumstance, physical ability, mental condition, or sexual orientation.
This congregation pledges to enable every person’s full participation in membership, worship, fellowship, and leadership and to provide opportunity for free and open discussion on matters of faith and public issues. We oppose any intimidation, harassment, neglect of or violence against any group in society, with special attention to those who have often been victims because of their race, gender, age, nationality, economic circumstance, physical ability, mental condition, or sexual orientation. We advocate the basic civil rights of all persons in such areas as employment, housing, and legal protection.
As a community of God’s people, we will endeavor to reach out to all who wish to join us in our pilgrimage, strengthening each other as we seek continuing revelation of truth and light.
We invite and welcome all people to join us on the journey of faith, covenanting together to be responsible to God and responsive to one another.