Statement of Inclusion

Relying on the love and grace of God, the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church works for peace, justice and inclusion in our private lives, in our families, in our community and in society, both locally and globally.

We affirm that in Jesus Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, nor any other kind of partiality.

We welcome all persons into the fellowship regardless of age, race, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or ability.

We accept into membership all those who have received the Holy Spirit and shall deny no person membership, or any of the privileges or responsibilities thereof, including ordination, on the basis of any such reason or any other reason not related to the profession of faith and discipleship.

As members of the Reformed community of churches, we are called to faithfulness to God’s unfolding word in Scripture, to ongoing reformation through the work of the Holy Spirit, and to openness and justice by our Book of Order and the Confessions of Faith.

“The Church is called

a. to a new openness to the presence of God in the Church and in the world, to more fundamental obedience, and to a more joyous celebration in worship and work;

b. to a new openness in its own membership, by affirming itself as a community of diversity, becoming in fact as well as in faith a community of women and men of all ages, races, and conditions, and by providing for inclusiveness as a visible sign of a new humanity;

c. to a new openness to the possibilities and perils of its institutional forms in order to ensure the faithfulness and usefulness of these forms to God’s activity in the world;

d. to a new openness to God’s continuing reformation of the Church ecumenical, that it might be a more effective instrument in the world.”

– Adopted by the Session of the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church on June 8, 1994.

 

CHPC is a More Light Congregation 

Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church believes that God calls us to be one body in Christ, despite any differences among us.  Therefore, we welcome everyone, regardless of any earthly condition, to join us on our shared journey of faith.  As one demonstration of our commitment to inclusion, CHPC is a member of More Light Presbyterians.  The mission of More Light Presbyterians is to work for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people of faith in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

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