Open & Affirming Statement
As approved at a church meeting Dec. 11, 1994
We, the First Church in Windsor, following our Lord Jesus Christ, declare that we welcome all to share in our community of faith. We acknowledge our diversities, and our welcome is to all people without regard to their race; nationality; age; marital status; gender; mental, emotional, or physical challenges; economic status; or sexual orientation. We affirm that all are children of God. We acknowledge that our individual fears and ignorance prevent us from being a whole community. We further acknowledge that the Christian church has perpetuated injustices toward people because of their differences. For these reasons, we want to be more open sensitive to others. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we seek to live our beliefat church, at work, at school, and in our families that there are no outcasts in a community that is obedient to the will of God. Together we encourage everyone in our mutual journey of faith to understand and celebrate the diversity of God’s creation. We invite all who seek God’s guidance to join our open and affirming faith community and share fully in our church’s life and opportunities for ministry. We come from different perspectives and experiences and pray for courage, blessing, and God’s unifying love as we respond to God’s call.
Background to the statement
The decision to become an open and affirming church evolved out of the church’s concern that many persons of lesbian, gay and bisexual orientation feel judged and excluded by Christian churches and also face much injustice by our society. The phrase open and affirming is used by the United Church of Christ to indicate that a church welcomes this frequently excluded group. Following two years of study, an Opening and Affirming Study Group proposed a statement of commitment to be voted upon by our whole church. Our Cabinet wished to broaden significantly this statement of welcome to include other diverse groups of people who have often felt unwelcome by both churches and secular groups. The statement printed here was approved in December 1994 by a church vote and reflects that extended commitment. Our challenge as a church continues to be a fuller affirmation of the diversities among us so that other persons who have felt excluded will also feel welcome. Presently, we are seeking ways to do this in all aspects of our church’s life.