28°
CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. – The First Congregational Church in Chappaqua will celebrate gay pride month with the Catch the Sprit of Pride event on Sunday, June 1 at 2 p.m. The afternoon will consist of an interfaith service and festivities.
The church will host this event with the Hudson Valley chapter of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network and The LOFT, an LGBT community center in White Plains.
Clergy from Chappaqua, Briarcliff Manor, Mount Kisco, greater Westchester and New York City will also attend.
Two years ago, members of the First Congregational Church in Chappaqua debated on whether to become an open and affirming church, said the Rev. Martha R. Jacobs. This designation is meant for member organizations of the United Church of Christ that make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, according to the UCC website.
Some felt this move was unnecessary because the church had always welcomed everyone to worship, Jacobs said. However, Jacobs believed the church had to examine what it truly means to accept everyone, and the church became an Open and Affirming Church.
“We are now more intentionally inclusive and seek to serve the wider community in exciting ways” Jacobs said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Chappaqua and receive free news updates.
