OPEN AND AFFIRMING

Motion from the June 4, 2006 congregational meeting to become Open and Affirming

"I move that we, Plymouth United Church , United Church of Christ, officially become an Open and Affirming congregation. That we agree to welcome, accept and nurture all those who seek to worship with us and become a part of our faith community, including, but not limited to, these communities and individuals: the Lesbian Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community; those who are physically or developmentally disabled; and all, regardless of ethnic or national background."

On Sunday, June 4, 2006, Plymouth United Church, UCC, in Spring, Texas, voted to publicly become Open and Affirming. We celebrate this milestone, both as a new challenge and as a reminder of the faith message that Plymouth United Church, UCC, has practiced throughout its 28-year history. "Just as Christ calls us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we at Plymouth United Church, UCC, believe it is our responsibility to love all of our neighbors unconditionally by welcoming everyone just as God created them into our worship and church community," says Rev. Ginny Brown Daniel, pastor of Plymouth United Church since 2003. This extravagant welcome is extended to those whom society banishes as bad or unworthy for some reason.

Rev. Daniel continues, "If we take Jesus Christ as our model then the Church should be about embracing those whom society chooses not to embrace: the poor, the illegal immigrants, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community, the homeless, those with AIDS. These are all people who have little or no voice or power in society. We are called not to change or belittle them but to love them (and us). Christ’s ministry was about welcoming all, affirming all, and empowering all to serve others in God’s love, and THAT’S what we, the Church, should emulate – affirmation, empowerment and love for ALL!"

Plymouth received a letter of congratulations from President and General Minister John Thomas.  To read the letter, click here.

Plymouth United Church, UCC, is located in Spring, Texas, a suburb of Houston, and is a member of the United Church of Christ Houston Association and the UCC South Central Conference.

Please visit the UCC Coalition for more information on the Open and Affirming movement.