|
We welcome all people into our community of faith. Our "Open and Affirming" stance demonstrates our commitment to fully integrate into our church persons of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and medical conditions.
More than just allowing all people to attend our church services, we truly affirm them as fully participating members of the body of Christ in all its glorious diversity.
"Open and Affirming" is the phrase used to describe Disciples of Christ churches that welcome members of the gay and lesbian community into fellowship and communion. To be open and affirming does not mean merely that a church will allow persons of a homosexual orientation to attend church, no questions asked. To be open refers to the intellectual, spiritual, and emotional process a church undertakes to truly understand homosexuality as a human condition. To be affirming is to celebrate, with our gay brothers and sisters, the glory of creation in all its diversity, and to stand with them in a demand for justice and equality.
After much discussion, discernment, and prayer, we adopted this position in 1995.
As Proposition 8 came on to the California ballot, we took a strong position opposing the ban on gay and lesbian marriages. On October 28, 2008, we issued the following statement (a pdf version of which can be found here):
For immediate release:
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Contact:
Russell Peterman, Senior Minister, First Christian Church of Concord, (925) 685-7503, russ@concordfcc.net
First Christian Church of Concord Opposes Proposition 8
CONCORD, CA – First Christian Church of Concord has today released the following statement:
We understand that some in California don't believe that God's love is big enough to welcome gays and lesbians. But we believe it is. We believe that God does love everyone, and that's why we welcome everyone, regardless of ethnic or racial heritage, gender, ability, sexual orientation, or economic or political status.
We hope Proposition 8 is defeated and that California will continue to support the marriages of committed people in loving relationships.
But even if it passes, we will continue to perform gay and lesbian weddings in our sanctuary because we believe that all marriages are sacred in the eyes of God.
As the Reverend Doctor Russell Peterman, senior minister of First Christian Church of Concord, states, “We believe strongly that the love of God is unconditional and without limits. And as people of faith we must take seriously the imperative to love in the same way. For many years our congregation has sought to celebrate with our gay brothers and sisters, the glory of creation in all its diversity, and to stand with them in a demand for justice and equality.”
First Christian Church of Concord has been an active congregation in Concord, California for 123 years. The congregation is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), one of the oldest mainline Protestant churches in the United States, which has more than 65 congregations in Northern California, approximately 3,800 congregations in the United States and Canada with almost 700,000 members, in addition to more than 270 international church partners in close to 70 countries.
First Christian Church of Concord is an inclusive, loving community of faith and justice, seeking, serving and celebrating Christ through open minds, committed hearts, and willing hands.
For more information on First Christian Church of Concord:
http://www.concordfcc.net
### |
