Open and Affirming Statement:
Whereas, we are called, in faith, to love our neighbor as ourselves,
and to act as agents of reconciliation and wholeness to all;
and
Whereas,
churches often say they welcome everyone; gay, lesbian, and
bisexual people, their family and friends have learned that this message
most often does not include them;
and
Whereas,
we the church, as a social conscience of our culture,
believe it incumbent upon us, in faith and action, to strive to end the
discrimination, violence, fear, ignorance and hate of any person or group of
people which serves to divide and separate any of us from the dignity, love,
and compassion which brings us closer to God;
and
Whereas,
we
avow
that: “we covenant one with another
to be that sensitive and responsive part of human society which perceives and
responds to God’s newest thrust in the midst of history”;
pledge
that: “the uniqueness and greatness of every life is radically
affirmed”;
realize
that: “our task together demands a
comprehensive view of life, always pointed intentionally to the future”;
hold that: “our life together will involve us individually and corporately in
study and worship, always maintaining a proper balance between proclamation
of the word about life with the deeds which make life good”;
affirm
that: “those activities which
eliminate age barriers, cut across religious dogma, reduce cultural
parochialisms and engage secular people with life’s ultimate possibilities
will be worthy of our best efforts”;
and
Whereas,
the United Church of Christ Open and Affirming text, as
enriched and supported by local churches, publicly declares a welcome and
loving acceptance to people of all sexual orientations into the full life
and ministry of the church including equal access to its sacraments and
rites, pastoral care, worship, leadership and employment; we,
Therefore, Shadow Rock Congregational Church, United Church of
Christ, in faith, and by the grace of God, publicly declare the same loving
and welcoming acceptance into our community of faith, the diversity of all
people of every age, economic condition, gender, marital status, opinion,
physical and mental ability, race, religious
background and sexual
orientation.
