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.