United Church of Christ Statement of Faith

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:

He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways of life and death.

He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord,he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.

He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him.

Amen.

The Covenant of the First Church of Christ in New Haven

We covenant together
in striving to know the will of God as taught in Holy Scriptures and as manifested
in our experience,
and in our purpose to walk in the ways of the Lord, made known or to be made
known to us.

We hold it to be the mission of the Church of Christ to proclaim the Gospel to all the world,
exalting the worship of the one true God
and laboring for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice,
the reign of peace, and the realization of human unity.

With this Church we covenant
to worship faithfully and share its sacraments;
to give it of our substance and ourselves;
to walk with all its members in sincerity and love;
and to work and pray for its increase, purity, and peace.

Depending, as did our forebears, upon the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth,
we work and pray for the transformation of the world into the Kingdom of God;
and we look with faith for the triumph of righteousness and the life everlasting.

Center Church is Open and Affirming

Why did Center Church become Open and Affirming? At the request of some members and friends of the congregation, we spent a number of years discussing issues relating to sexuality and the church. Recognizing that gay, lesbian and bisexual people are not always welcomed in Christian churches, we wanted to make sure that gay, lesbian, and bisexual people knew they were included in our welcome to all people.

Having prayed, studied the scriptures, and struggled together, we feel led by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the First Church of Christ in New Haven, Center Church on-the-Green, Inc. is open to gay, lesbian and bisexual people and affirming of their gifts and experiences.

We therefore welcome all people to full participation in the life of our church. We will not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, class, race, disability, ethnicity or sexual orientation when welcoming new members, calling people to leadership, hiring pastors and staff, or making our buildings or programs available for use (passed October 31st, 1999).