IN LIGHT OF OUR:

• UCC Statement of Faith, the Covenant of Rock Spring Church, and our steadfast belief in Christ's message of healing love;
• Deepening appreciation of the mystery of God's creation, in all its marvelous complexity;
• Long-standing advocacy of the principles of peace, justice, and equality, as evidenced by our designation as a "Just Peace" Church;
• Mission of support and healing to those in need or pain;
• Abhorrence of hatred and violence against people based on sexual orientation;

WE, THE CONGREGATION,

Declare our church to be Open and Affirming, and we welcome people of every race, nationality, ability, sexual orientation, gender and age to join us in the full life and ministry of Rock Spring Church.

THEREFORE,

We invite all people to share fully in our life together; in worship and service, in employment, in lay and professional leadership and in affirmation of personal life passages, including ceremonies of traditional marriage and of committed union.

We promise our support to all individuals, children and families -- traditional, extended, single-parent, gay and lesbian. We continue to affirm human relationships based on love, support, responsibility and trust.

We pray for God's blessing and grace as we strive for renewal and, in the words of our Rock Spring Church Covenant, "the realization of our one human family."

*This is the original Open and Affirming Statement adopted by Rock Spring in the year 2000.