Old First Church
69 Kings Hwy
Middletown, NJ 07748
What We Believe
“There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free;
there is no longer male or female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Gal. 3:28 NRSV
This radical statement by Paul in the first century is reflected through our church covenant.
OUR COVENANT
As a community of faith, we covenant with one another:
--to seek and respond to the word and will of God;
--to accept one another with open minds and open hearts, cherishing our diversity;
--to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God and with one another;
--to proclaim the good news of a living and loving God to all the world. Amen.
Our Church covenant was developed as a sign and symbol of
Old First Church as an open and affirming community, welcoming all persons
regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or
sexual identity or orientation. As a people of God . . .
We Affirm:
That God is the Creator of the universe;
That God is revealed in Jesus Christ;
That Jesus Christ is our redeemer, spiritual leader and teacher;
Freedom of conscience in matters of interpretation;
Soul liberty in matters of belief, and that the living and present Spirit of God empowers us to work for peace and justice in the world.
We Practice:
Our faith and worship in participation with the American Baptist Churches in the USA and the United Church of Christ.
Respect for diversity among individuals as children of God;
Acceptance of the variety of religious traditions.
Involvement in the concerns of our local communities, and
support for our church’s wider mission in the United States and around the world.
We Aspire to:
Proclaim the Good News of a Living and Loving God;
Nurture abundant spiritual health and growth for individuals and our community;
Increase our acceptance and respect for individual diversity;
Continue the historic witness and character of this congregation;
Become a people who foster a reverence for God’s creation;
Focus our awareness of and efforts in social concerns both locally and globally;
Provide a center for religious and social education (for all ages), and
Provide an ever-widening range of opportunities for fellowship.