Kirkland Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

Covenant of Openness and Affirmation

We, the members of Kirkland Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, believe that all persons are children of God and that age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnic background, physical/mental ability, socioeconomic status, and other differences that mark each of us are transparent in God’s love. As a church community, we celebrate and find strength in diversity and view it as a way to understand the inclusiveness of God.

We believe that, although we are many members, we are one body in Christ (Romans 12:4). As a part of that body of Christ, we are called to love one another, to do justice, to bring release to the oppressed, and to walk humbly with our God. Responding to that call, a goal of our ministry is to heal the brokenness we experience in ourselves and in our relationships with each other and with God.

We believe that we are made in God’s image and that we are called to accept our sexuality and ourselves. Our sexuality is a gift of God, which enriches our lives and deeply touches the reality of our own and others’ humanity; it is one of the channels through which we experience life.

As a congregation and as individuals, we lift up the following as evidence of our openness and affirmation:

1. We affirm that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) persons are indeed created in the image of God, deserving of mutual love and respect. Our continued prayer is that some day intolerance, ignorance, bigotry and violence against all of God’s children are eradicated from the very places where compassion and peace should reign. Until that day, we stand in one voice, one spirit and one hope for the full fellowship in church and society of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and heterosexual persons, encouraging them to share their talents, gifts and energy in the liturgy, life, employment, and leadership of the congregation.
2. We affirm relationships, both human and divine, regarding them with honor and respect. We affirm that all persons have a right to testify their love for God and for each other before God, and pledge that our church home will be a haven where that testimony is recognized and cherished. We bless all loving covenantal relationships and affirm and impart our blessings on all families without judgment.
3. We condemn all acts of discrimination, intolerance, and violence (physical, emotional, economic, or legal) against persons because of their sexual orientation, just as we condemn such acts against people because of race, age, gender, religion, ethnic background, or physical/mental disabilities or limitations. We pledge to support efforts designed to assure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons enjoy the same rights and privileges as heterosexual persons.

Therefore, we, the Kirkland Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming Church

Adopted by congregational vote on October 28, 2001