Sanbornton Congregational Church, UCC

Open and Affirming Statement

Voted June 22, 1997

This congregation celebrates the diversity of its membership and affirms that every person is a unique creation made in God’s image. All are welcome to worship here and are encouraged to participate fully in every aspect of the life and work of the church. We thank God for the nourishment, the challenge, and the joy we experience in our differences and gifts.

We acknowledge that, historically, Christian churches and society have excluded and discriminated against people for a variety of reason. Exclusion and discrimination still exist, to our shame, notably on grounds of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

We affirm that all people are embraced within the family of God and the community of this congregation. We welcome people of every race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, economic class, physical or mental ability, and any other of the diverse attributes that are woven into the fabric of humankind. As participants in the life of this church, everyone is encouraged to share worship, membership, ministry, and leadership in our congregation.

Therefore, we declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation. We call ourselves to continue our efforts toward inclusiveness, standing against all forms of discrimination. As we journey together in this community of faith, let us continue to celebrate God’s love for each of us.