Open and Affirming Statement
revised and adopted by the Board of Deacons, February 6, 1996
adopted by the Annual Meeting, February 2, 1997

In keeping with our vision of being a welcoming and inclusive congregation and in concert with the General Synod and the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ, we declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming church made up of and welcoming people of any race, gender, age, nationality, economic circumstances, marital status, physical or mental ability, emotional condition or sexual orientation.

To quote from our Vision Statement, "We are a Christian people who invite all people to our fellowship; welcome, guide, and love all who come to our church; encourage family/lay participation in the worship and activities of our church; and as a family church, because we are one in Christ, we celebrate diversity and support reconciliation."

Therefore, we invite and welcome all people to join us in the journey of faith, covenanting together to be responsible to God and responsive to one another. As a community of God's people, we acknowledge our shortcomings and insensitivities as we endeavor to reach out to all who wish to join us in our pilgrimage, companioning and strengthening each other as we seek God's continuing revelation of truth and light.