First Church Congregational, Rochester, NH

Open and Affirming

First Church is a friend to the LGBT community. Here is our Open and Affirming Statement approved at a meeting of the congregation March 17, 2002

Circle of Faith - Statement of Inclusion

First Church Congregational, U.C.C. is a diverse Christian faith community. We embrace, affirm, and celebrate this diversity with Christian love. We welcome and support all people equally, regardless of marital, social or economic status, race, ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, age, or previous religious affiliation. We declare our openness and affirmation especially to all who have been diminished by prejudice, bigotry, and oppression.

We offer all sacraments and rites to all who enter our circle of faith, and extend all responsibilities and privileges to those who choose covenant membership.

We honor human relationships that are based on love, responsibility, mutual respect, trust, and fidelity. Knowing that this commitment poses a spiritual challenge, we gently encourage each other to remove all barriers. We are secure in the knowledge that God's love is for everyone.

FIRST PARISH CHURCH- CONGREGATIONAL- UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, DOVER NH.

Our Open and Affirming Statement

First Parish Church is Open and Affirming, welcoming all to participate fully in the life of our church family, its ministries, fellowship, leadership, rites and sacraments, regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, social or economic situation, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Adopted by the Congregation on January 31, 2016