News

On October 8th First Congregational celebrated the 25th anniversary of voting to be an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation. Every year on the second Sunday of October, worship focuses on being an ONA church. In the recent past, I have had church members ask if we even needed to set a Sunday aside to celebrate the public stance taken so long ago. My answer continues to be that our voice of inclusivity is as important today as the day the vote was taken in the church. Sometimes when we ourselves are surrounded by a community of love and support, we can become complacent, as individuals and a congregation. Last week, the news in Madison gave us a "jolt" of reality. 

The Single Women's Homeless Shelter ...

If you or your neighbors...

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. Since the original vote, the church has intentionally added and welcomed individuals who identify as trans, or questioning. These actions and commitment need to be celebrated!