Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC)

Rock Spring Congregational Church is an Open & Affirming congregation and invites all people, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity, to share in the life of the church. Since becoming Open & Affirming in 2000, we have actively been engaging in many activities in support of the LGBT community. We were at the Fairfax Government Center in June 2004 to protest against House Bill 751 (prohibiting a civil union, a partnership contract, or any other arrangement between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage). We hosted a teach-in on the proposed amendment to Virginia’s constitution in June 2006. Our congregation has been marching every year since 2001 in the Capital Pride Parade, and participating in inter-faith services affiliated with the Capital Pride.

The congregation voted on March 18, 2007, to amend the Open & Affirming Statement passed on June 4, 2000, adding language to affirm ceremonies of holy marriage for all couples and our commitment to witness for civil rights of all people.

New Open & Affirming Statement

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;

Prayerful consideration of the UCC 25th General Synod resolution “In Support of Equal Marriage Rights for All”;

WE, THE CONGREGATION,

Declare our church to be Open and Affirming, and we welcome people of every race, gender, nationality, ability, sexual orientation, 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 holy marriage for all couples regardless of gender.

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 affirm Rock Spring Church’s commitment to witness to full civil rights for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, including access to the rights, responsibilities and protections of legally recognized marriage, in broader public and political arenas.

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.”

To view the original open and affirming statement, adopted in 2000, click here

If you want to know more about the process by which the community of Rock Spring explored, prayed, debated & voted on the new O & A statement, including sermons, please click here.

For more information about how Rock Spring has been active in the community in support of our Open & Affirming statement, please click here or email socialaction@rockspringucc.org.