STATEMENT on DIVERSITY and INCLUSION

In scripture, we read:

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

We profess to live a faith that seeks equity for all people regardless of race or sex or nation of origin or economic status or sexual orientation or gender identification. But the fact remains that, while all people matter, some people are threatened more than others. God calls us to stand with the most vulnerable, the most oppressed, the most threatened in our community.

In February, 2020, this congregation became a More Light Congregation. This means that we are deliberate and intentional in our inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons in our community life and leadership. We will advocate for fair and equitable treatment for all persons regardless of who they love or how they express their gender identity.

In July, 2020, this congregation became a Matthew 25 Congregation. This means that we are deliberate and intentional in our inclusion of persons of color who have been historically marginalized or excluded from ministry and leadership in predominantly white congregations. We commit ourselves to work toward dismantling structural racism in our church and in our society.

The poet, Maya Angelou, is attributed to have said, “When we know better, we do better.” We do know better; and we need to do better – as individuals, as a congregation, as a nation. Our congregation continues to engage in the difficult conversations that are required of us to know better. We are committed to maintaining a posture of listening, so we can hear the stories we need to hear. We continue to pray for wisdom, so that we can discern a way forward that more fully reflects the Beloved Community that God calls us to be.

(updated March 2022)