Waverly Heights Congregational United Church of Christ
Open and Affirming Statement
October 9, 2000
We know the church has often excluded people from the community of faith because they are somehow different from those within that spiritual family. We confess that ignorance, fear, and hatred in ourselves, the church, and our society have caused this brokenness and we ask for the grace of God to heal it.
We the members of Waverly Heights Congregational United Church of Christ have known the joy of being accepted and affirmed by God and by one another. We rejoice and find strength in our diversity, which reflects the inclusiveness of God's love. We denounce acts of discrimination and violence against any person.
We celebrate the family in all its diverse forms, and affirm all nurturing, loving, and committed relationships.
We welcome all people into our community of faith, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation (whether homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, or transsexual), ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or physical/mental abilities. Each person is invited and encouraged to participate in all aspects of our church life and ministry.
Therefore, we, the members of Waverly Heights Congregational United Church of Christ, declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming Church in response to the call of the 15th General Synod of the United Church of Christ, July 2, 1985.