Statement of Inclusion
No matter who you are or where you are on your journey of life and faith, you are welcome and affirmed here!
What does this mean?
In the Preamble of the NCC Constitution, (the documentation of church governance) the Membership Covenant describes our inclusive welcome to all people: …Holding to the truth that we are all God's children and though we may differ in age, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental abilities, theological perspective or any other distinction, we welcome all into membership.
Article II of the NCC Constitution defines Membership at NCC. In Section 1, NCC’s invitation to membership is written as follows:
Membership at NCC is open to all who have a desire to be part of a loving, accepting, and understanding community of faith which follows the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in scripture. To honor the multi-denominational foundation and community church identity of NCC its members are not required to commit to one denominational view of doctrine, but may if they so choose.
Newmarket Community Church (NCC) is a multi-denominational church with its roots and membership in three protestant denominations: The American Baptist Church, (ABC) The United Methodist Church (UMC), and the United Church of Christ, (UCC).
While the language in the NCC Constitution may differ from the language used by our three denominations, our intention in our statement of inclusion and invitation to membership is to honor each denominational ministry, association, and coalition whose ministry is to create welcoming and affirming congregations.
The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists: The mission of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists is to create and support a community of churches, organizations and individuals committed to the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the full life and mission of Baptist churches.
The UMC Reconciling Ministries: “We celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education, and family structure, and of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status, and so much more. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.”
The United Church of Christ Open and Affirming Coalition: Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.