FCUCC Open and Affirming Statement

 From the church website this is our Open and Affirming Statement:

OPEN AND AFFIRMING STATEMENT

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:28

As Christians and members of First Congregational United Church of Christ, we are a diverse group of people.

We are persons of various ages, races, gender identities, accomplishments and goals, abilities, sexual orientations, theological and political beliefs, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.

In our diversity we find strength and a way to understand the inclusiveness of God. We recognize each individual as a child of God. We welcome all people to join in our common mission through participation and leadership in this communion of faith.

JB Note:  

Two salient points: 

1. We were not becoming open and affirming we already were. 
2. The statement  went well beyond the LBGTQ community, e.g.   “races … theological and political beliefs, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.”