St. John’s United Church of Christ, 139 N. Fourth St., Emmaus, officially has been recognized as an Open and Affirming church by the United Church of Christ.
The certification means the members of St. John’s are making a public, official declaration they celebrate diversity and actively affirm God’s love by welcoming all people into the church family and ministry.
An Open and Affirming covenant approved by the congregation states: “As disciples of Jesus Christ, we proclaim that every person is a beloved child of God, created in God’s image. We welcome all – regardless of race, ethnicity, age, physical or mental ability, marital or economic status, national origin, faith background, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression – into the full life and leadership of this church.”…