History
Annual Open & Affirming Sunday
Each year in October we hold a special worship service each year celebrating the inclusion of individuals of all sexual orientations in our worshipping community.
In 1985, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ accepted a resolution that called on congregations to declare themselves open to and affirming of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the full life and ministry of the church.
In 1990, a committee was formed at First Congregational to study the possibility of becoming an Open and Affirming congregation. After two years of study and writing a resolution, the church voted in May of 1992 to become an Open and Affirming congregation. The church was the 76th church of the United Church of Christ to declare their welcoming stance. This is indeed an action to be celebrated!
Resources
First Congregational UCC Opening and Affirming Statement
United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns
United Church of Christ social policy statements on LGBT concerns
Biblical interpretation from our Presbyterian friends
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force - Institute for Welcoming Resources - biblical interpretation resources
Soulforce, an organization committed to freedom for LGBTQ people from religious and political oppression