First Congregational United Church of Christ
LGBT
LGBT
In 2002 the congregation at FCUCC approved an "open and affirming covenant." This covenant recognizes that all persons are created in the image of a loving God and addresses the concerns of LGBT persons in particular. Following is the full covenant statement:
We believe that all persons are created in the image of a loving God, who not only creates but also embodies, embraces, and celebrates diversity. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to restore justice wherever God's creation is broken or divided.
We acknowledge that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons have long been excluded, rejected, and dishonored by the Church. This practice, often implicity condoned by silence, continues today. While persons of minority sexual orientations have historically been a part of faith communities, many, out of fear or rejection, have been unable to live openly the fullness of their lives. Others have left or never joined a church.
We also recognize that other marginalized people have been excluded. When any person's opportunity for spiritual growth and worship is limited by injustice, our own growth is restricted and our worship diminished. We celebrate that this congregation has been a welcoming community of faith and now wish to make our welcome explicit for all. Therefore:
We invite people of every race, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ability, financial means, ethnic and spiritual background into the full life and ministry of this congregation.
As one expression of this invitation, we declare First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, NC, to be an "open and affirming" congregation of the United Church of Christ. With God's help, we will challenge injustice based on sexual orientation. We promise to support and honor all loving and mutual relationships. With a spirit of thankfulness for all of God's gifts, we humbly and prayerfully enter into this covenant with one another.
Help FCUCC support LGBT ministry. ...
In 2002 the congregation at FCUCC approved an "open and affirming covenant." This covenant recognizes that all persons are created in the image of a loving God and addresses the concerns of LGBT persons in particular. Following is the full covenant statement:
We believe that all persons are created in the image of a loving God, who not only creates but also embodies, embraces, and celebrates diversity. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to restore justice wherever God's creation is broken or divided.We acknowledge that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons have long been excluded, rejected, and dishonored by the Church. This practice, often implicity condoned by silence, continues today. While persons of minority sexual orientations have historically been a part of faith communities, many, out of fear or rejection, have been unable to live openly the fullness of their lives. Others have left or never joined a church.
We also recognize that other marginalized people have been excluded. When any person's opportunity for spiritual growth and worship is limited by injustice, our own growth is restricted and our worship diminished. We celebrate that this congregation has been a welcoming community of faith and now wish to make our welcome explicit for all. Therefore:
We invite people of every race, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ability, financial means, ethnic and spiritual background into the full life and ministry of this congregation.
As one expression of this invitation, we declare First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, NC, to be an "open and affirming" congregation of the United Church of Christ. With God's help, we will challenge injustice based on sexual orientation. We promise to support and honor all loving and mutual relationships. With a spirit of thankfulness for all of God's gifts, we humbly and prayerfully enter into this covenant with one another.
Help FCUCC support LGBT ministry. ...