Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/7/2022
SOMERS – Somers Congregational United Church of Christ has been a part of the Somers community since 1727, helping those beyond their church doors in need of pastoral and spiritual care. At a recent special congregational meeting, the church voted to become an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation making a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to people of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and gender identities.
In regard to the new designation, Pastor and teacher Scott Spence stated, “It was a year of study, discussion and of prayer within our ONA team and with the congregation. After a sermon series this fall on Oct. 30, we voted unanimously that we felt that God was calling us to be the congregation where everyone is open to come, everyone is welcomed and affirmed especially our LGBTQ community members.”
The following covenant was created for the congregation: “Believing that all people are created in God‘s image, embracing diversity and affirming dignity and worth for every person, we, the Somers Congregational United Church of Christ, are an Open and Affirming Congregation. We celebrate people of all ages, races, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, family configurations, and physical, cognitive, or emotional abilities. All persons are invited to fully share and participate in leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings, and joys of our church family.”
In addition, the church is inviting everyone to their Advent worship series. The theme this year is “God Bless Us Every One” using the famous story of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as a model of their Advent journey as they make their way to Christmas Eve and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Spence said, “We have the value of being self-centered or striving for money, power and influence. God calls us instead to turn the world upside down and to be full of grace, love and compassion for others.”
He went on to say, “We’ll be making that journey with Scrooge in worship, scripture, music and liturgy. Advent is a good season to start anew or to begin again as we make our way to Christmas Eve and to Christmas Day. All are welcomed. We would love to have you be a part of our community and to come with us on this Advent journey.”
Right now, the church’s goal is to work within their community and the surrounding towns to continue to provide a safe space for all people and try to find ways for those to not only feel welcomed inside their church, but that they’re loved ordered and affirmed. Their future goals would be to continue to be a community church. A church that serves their community and a church where their community members feel embraced and loved by God.
Somers Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 599 Main St.
Dates for the season of Advent:
Join either in person or via their YouTube channel: Somers Congregational UCC at https://www.youtube.com/@SomersCongregationalUCC. For questions, call the church office at 860-763-4021 or email office@thesomerschurch.org.