Open and Affirming Resolution
"We are an Open and Affirming congregation
welcoming all of God's children into our community of faith!"
welcoming all of God's children into our community of faith!"
Cresskill
Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is an Open and
Affirming community. We find our guidance through the life and
teachings of Jesus Christ and continue to honor the principle that
discrimination is incompatible with Christ’s Gospel of unconditional
love.
We
believe and affirm that every person has worth as a unique creation
made in the image of God. We therefore welcome into the life of our
church all persons, including but not limited to those of every race,
culture, age, gender, socio-economic status, physical or mental
ability, marital status, faith and sexual orientation such as those who
are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
We
specifically welcome and affirm: participation in our worship services
and sacraments, celebration of life and commitment ceremonies, service
as teachers in all facets of Christian Education, and participation in
all Church activities, boards and committees, regardless of sexual
orientation. As part of our commitment, we affirm equal opportunity
employment for all.
We believe with the theologian-philosopher Henri Nouwen that “true liberation is freeing people from the bonds that have prevented them from giving their gifts to others.” We rejoice in committing ourselves to further learning and advocacy to end oppression, discrimination, intolerance and lack of understanding of any specific group of persons.
For a brief resource to help you engage particular Biblical conversations concerning lesbian and gay persons, you may download, save, print out, and read this booklet.
We believe with the theologian-philosopher Henri Nouwen that “true liberation is freeing people from the bonds that have prevented them from giving their gifts to others.” We rejoice in committing ourselves to further learning and advocacy to end oppression, discrimination, intolerance and lack of understanding of any specific group of persons.
* * * *
Our Open and Affirming resolution was the product of a year-long study exploring what the Bible says about lesbian and gay persons, what our tradition says, how we can extend God's extravagant welcome, and how important it is to our expression of faith to reinterpret what it means to be a Christian in our generation. As a result, we voted (nearly unanimously) to welcome and affirm all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons into our community of faith.For a brief resource to help you engage particular Biblical conversations concerning lesbian and gay persons, you may download, save, print out, and read this booklet.