We welcome into this community of faith, in all aspects of church life, persons of every race, gender, nationality, ability, and sexual orientation; AND we will continue our efforts toward inclusiveness, and stand against all forms of discrimination.

This adaptation of Urbandale UCC’s Open and Affirming statement, offered by the Discernment Team in May of 2007, is a good reflection of what the congregation values and how it hopes to operate in the world. It expresses both how we reflect the welcome of Christ and how we will need to continue to work on this aspect of our communal life.

There are lots of organizations and institutions that recognize the importance of diversity. We work very hard to make sure that various minorities and interests are represented when there are decisions to be made. It is glaring to us when groups are all-male, all-white or all-WASP. We feel much better when there is wider representation. But most of the time, it is simply tolerance that we espouse. We tolerate those who are different or whose beliefs and values conflict with our own. If you have ever been in a situation where your presence was “tolerated” you know what that is like. Contrast that with “welcome.”

I remember what it was like to walk into my grandparents’ house. No matter how busy they were or what was going on that day, their faces lit up and they greeted me warmly. I knew that they were overjoyed to see me and that there would be a bottle of pop and a treat before much time had passed. I was welcome!

Do we light up when we see diversity, or do we merely tolerate it? Are we willing to offer the treats of hospitality, or just what civility requires? Is difference seen as necessary, or is it embraced as an asset?

How does your life reflect a welcome to those who are different from you and with whom you disagree?

Pastor Dave

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