“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” – Romans 15:7
The First Church of Christ Congregational, UCC is a caring, dynamic, inclusive community of faith in the heart of Bethany.
We worship in a white-clapboard meeting house; the kind of classic “New England-y” church that makes passersby want to stop and snap a picture or two. We love our old meeting house with its long history as a center of worship in Bethany, even appearing on the town seal. But it’s what happens inside these historic walls that makes our church truly special.
Everyone is welcome here. We are certified Open and Affirming, or ONA, which means we “welcome all persons no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.” We are a safe place for ALL people. Guided by Jesus’ “Great Commandment”, to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, we welcome all God’s children.
“The rainbow flag is more than a symbol of sexuality – it represents a sanctuary, a place of welcome and radical grace. For us as an open and affirming church, it stands for belonging, especially for those the church has excluded. It’s not about perfection, but about embracing our brokenness and our shared humanity. When people see the rainbow flag, they should know it means a place where everyone is welcome – regardless of what the church may have said in the past. The flag symbolizes a church that does not exclude anyone, that welcomes all people, just as they are. This is a place where no one is outside God’s love, and no one is excluded from grace. God is calling us to trust and follow, knowing that all people, like all the colors on the flag, have a place here.”
The Reverend Jonathan Paredes
In keeping with our Congregational heritage, our members are bound together not by creed (we respect and enjoy a variety of theological perspectives) but by our mutual covenant to walk together in God’s ways.
Thanks so much for stopping by our website. We hope you’ll stop by in person sometime as well! We’re right along Route 63, on the west side of the road at the blinking traffic light.
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are WELCOME here!