First Church adopted this statement after many prayerful discussions to reflect how the congregation feels about being a welcoming and affirming church.

One of the questions raised was why we considered making such a statement, after all  First Church is a welcoming community.

The truth is, others may not know. Churches, including churches in the Reformed Church in America (the denomination to which First Church belongs, have not always been welcoming, especially to gay, lesbian and transgender people.

God's people have often struggled with who is in and out.  There are examples in both the old and new Testament.  Through the prophet Isaiah God calls for his house to be "a house of prayer for all peoples" and specifically mentions the eunuchs and foreigners, because in Deuteronomy 23 these were the very people who were specifically forbidden to be a part of the worshipping assembly. (Isaiah 56:1-8) Jesus himself was nearly thrown off a cliff by his own towns people of Nazareth, when He reminded them that God had helped lepers,  a foreign oppressor and a widow. (Luke 4:21-30)

One of the issues for debate in today's Christian church is whether gay, lesbian and transgender persons are truly, fully welcomed into the life of the church. It is an issue worthy of careful attention and prayerful discussion. Because real people are involved. Real justice is at stake. Real faithfulness to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. This issue is about our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, friends, neighbors and coworkers who have been told that there is something wrong with them.

There are about a half dozen scripture passages that are sometimes cited as evidence that God  is against homosexuality. Without going into a full fledged Bible study here it is safe to say that  none of the biblical writers was talking about sexual orientation as it is understood today. These Bible passages are addressing exploitative, abusive relationships, and that is the kind of behavior that needs to be condemned and dealt with. None of those scripture lessons refer to same-gender relationships based on mutuality and respect and love and characterized by faithfulness and life-long commitment.

Other words for affirm are: confirm, support, encourage, acknowledge and uphold.  That is much more then opening the doors for a body, it is opening the doors for a person, it is opening the doors for an equal.  In saying that, as followers of Jesus Christ, there are also certain expectations of each other in fellowship: believe and faith in God, and an eagerness to live by God's word.

For more information on our Welcoming and Affirming statement, read this document which contains background information and questions and answers on the statement and this sermon about the process and reasons for creating the statement.

Currently First Church confirms this commitment to diversity in the following activities:

Post service and weekday programs seek to address the spiritual concerns for all members..
The Music Program at First Church draws its selection from a variety of cultural sources.
The Sanctuary, built in 1798, and the many additions since then are all handicapped accessible. 
Our mission initiatives cross cultural boundaries both locally and globally.
During the summer First Church hosts, together with Camp Fowler staff, an urban day camp for area and membership children.
First Church hosted and helped plan a series of four area denominational dialogues on homosexuality.

30 Things You Can Do To Be Hospitable To People With Disabilities

Room-For-All
Several members of First Church belong to Room-for-All which is a grassroots initiative within the Reformed Church in America (RCA), the denomination of which First Church is a member. The group is actively seeking full inclusion of lesbian, gay,  bisexual and transgendered persons within the RCA.

First Church is one of a growing list of Reformed Church in America congregations who have joined a public roster of "Room for All Churches" -- publicly LGBT-inclusive RCA congregations. To view an online database of rostered congregations in the Albany area, see http://www.believeoutloud.com/learn/find-welcoming-church.

Supporting Bible studies can be found at www.soulforce.org