What Does it Mean to be Open & Affirming?
Calvary Was the 14th UCC Congregation
In the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference to receive this designation!
The Congregation voted to become ONA in April of 2013, and we were the first UCC congregation for about 40 miles in every direction with this designation. We offer an extravagant welcome to all people, regardless of marital status, race, sexual or gender orientation, or age.
We Invite All Who Seek God
In this place to participate fully in the life, leadership, Sacraments, and ministry of the church without regard to age, race, education, income, language, ethnic origin, disabilities, marital status, family structure, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
We commit ourselves to making peace, justice, equality, and inclusion a reality in our congregation and the world beyond through our attitudes, words, and actions.
We have a long history of being a Progressive, Inclusive, and Accepting Congregation.
Our adoption of the Open & Affirming statement made that public and official.
We believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired word of God interpreted by human beings and that it tells us about our relationship with God and one another. Scripture is the living word of God that does not end on the last page. While our faith extends back 2000 years and beyond, our thinking does not. We interpret our faith in the here and now.
While we take the Hebrew & Christian Scriptures seriously, we believe in a Still Speaking God that guides what we do and how we reach out.
Every generation needs to reinterpret the teachings of Jesus to make the world a better place to live.
Jesus’ message is one of love, inclusion equality and acceptance. Calvary strives to practice what Jesus preaches. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”