The ECC Vision: As a growing church, we will interact with the wider communities in which we are a part – Elon University, greater Burlington, and faith partners in inclusive, creative, and enabling ways, always striving to be faithful to our calling as witnesses of the Gospel. We will reach out with ministries of serving & caring, teaching & learning, the arts, and worship. Open and Affirming Cov
enant:
We, the members of Elon Community Church United Church of Christ, believing that everyone is created by God and that we are called as Christians to be an inclusive fellowship, declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation. We are many members with the right of private judgment and the liberty of conscience, and we celebrate that we are one body in Christ. We believe that God's love, Christ's church, and the Holy Spirit's power are for all people, regardless of their color, gender, age, ability, economic situation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression - or any other distinction. We see these differences not as barriers, but as blessings, and we welcome all people into the full life and ministry of this church. We will, with God's help, live by this commitment in our actions as a faithful congregation. Creation Justice Covenant:
We, the members of Elon Community Church United Church of Christ, cherish our connection with God, each other, our local community, and all creation. Acknowledging that we humans are stewards, not owners, of the earth, this Christian congregation commits itself to greater faithfulness in caring for creation. We also realize that factors of social structure – including race, class, and nationality – cause some people to suffer more than others. We believe that caring for creation is the foundation of caring for all people, now and in the future. We rejoice in nature's diversity and gifts, and in the interconnectedness of all creation. We share deep sorrow for prior ignorance about how human activity was bringing about environmental degradation. We grieve for the losses of human life and the accelerating losses of entire varieties of plants and animals. We regret the callousness and denial with which we have sometimes viewed our impact. We embrace the potential this church holds for leadership in environmental justice, both in our community and in the surrounding region. We want all dimensions of our congregation’s life to reflect our commitment to caring for creation. As humanity confronts the crisis of increasing damage to the earth and its climate, we covenant together to build on the creation care practices we have undertaken already. We pledge to provide opportunities for church and community members to increase understanding of issues regarding climate change and environmental justice; Inform ourselves and each other about local opportunities to lessen damage to the earth and its inhabitants; Practice, encourage, and advocate for sustainability; Deepen our awareness of the connections between public policies and the damage or healing of the earth; Join with others, who may or may not share our religious orientation, in caring for the earth. With God's help, we will do our best to fulfill these commitments, both as individuals and as a faithful congregation. Follow us...
Instagram
Twitter
