First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
A Just Peace Church...
In 1991, First Congregational Church became a "Just Peace" congregation.
Living as a Just Peace Community of Faith is an acknowledgement that
living in God's love is a political act. As Christians, our actions and choices must be
made with consideration of how we might best serve the poor and bring
justice.
What does it mean to be part of a Just Peace Church? Here are some of our commitments:
We resist the fear of vulnerability in receiving the invitation from God
to experience the abundant life that comes from service to the poor.
We do not put the interests of citizens of our own nation above the
interests of the people of other nations.
We will not embrace violence or retaliation.
We seek to welcome strangers as we would welcome Christ.
We seek to act in ways that build community.
We do not value things over people.
We are willing to take risks on behalf of those who suffer. We are
willing to engage in action and to change our lives in ways that we
perceive will works towards the alleviation of human suffering and bring
justice.
We do not support or defend the intentional killing of any human being or
gestures which will inevitably lead to death, illness or misery among any
group of people.
We celebrate the earth and the created order as a gift of God and seek to
live in ways that respect the natural world.
We listen to the voice of Spirit, and trust that God has an imaginative,
fresh Word to speak to the human community today.
Women in Black
Members and friends of First Congregational gather on the steps of the sanctuary each Wednesday from 12:00 to 12:30 as part of an international witness for peace--Women in Black. Women wear black as a sign of grief at the world's violence, and men participate in the vigil, too, standing behind the women on the sanctuary steps.
This vigil started in the days leading up to the United States' invasion of Iraq and has continued throughout the war. It is a way of saying "no" to war and violence. This is a silent vigil, accompanied by drumming and all are welcome to participate.
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A Just Peace Church
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