ona statement

Home l Faith Statement l Newsletter l ONA Statement Pastor's Greeting l Schedule / Map l Staff l Vision / Mission l Youth l Worship Details

~ Statement of Affirmation and Openness ~ Adopted April 1998 St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ 2129 Commonwealth Ave. ~ St. Paul, MN 55108 (651) 646-7173 See Below for photos of SAPUCC marchers in the Minneapolis Pride Parade.
Our Open and Affirming Statement was adopted in 1998 after two years of study, prayer, and conversation among ourselves, with other UCC churches, and with members of the gay and lesbian com- munity in the Twin Cities area.	We, the congregation of St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church ofChrist. We welcome all persons who seek to grow through the life of this Christian church as full partners in all aspects of our ministry: our worship, sacraments, work, and service. We celebrate the universal truth proclaimed in Galations 3:26, 28 "In Christ Jesus we are all children of God, through faith. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female: for we are all one in Christ Jesus." With God's grace, we seek to be a congregation inclusive of all persons without regard to sexual orientation, race, sex, class, age, mental or physical ability, or marital status. We recognize the diversity of human nature as part of God's universal plan and affirm all families and relationships founded on mutual love, responsibility, and trust.	We realize that these conclusions may not be universally held, and we acknowledge that we "know only in part" (I Corinthians 13:9). We respect those whose prayerful and considered understanding of scripture and tradition has led them to other conclusions, and we welcome their presence, gifts and companionship in the journey of faith. We pledge to work for full inclusion of all persons of faith, believing that "Nothing can sep-arate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus"(Romans 8:38-39).

	Above: A Commitment Ceremony at church Below: Marching at the Pride Parade in Minneapolis