As an open and affirming congregation, Plymouth Church embraces diversity in our congregation and community. We affirm the dignity and worth of every person created in the image of God.

We honor the guiding principle that discrimination is incompatible with Christ’s message of unconditional love.

We welcome into full membership and participation in all aspects of our church life persons of every race, language, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental ability, economic or marital status and faith background, and we affirm and celebrate all loving and committed relationships.

 

The LGBTQ Community at Plymouth

Walk into Plymouth Church any day of the week and you could be greeted by LGBTQ members as deacons, clergy, and staff. You could share worship with LGBTQ members on church boards representing Education, Membership, Social Action, Stewardship, or Benevolences. You could see LGBT members as leaders on the church council.

In the everyday life of Plymouth Church, you may find yourself side by side with LGBTQ members actively involved in outreach with mission trips, homeless assistance teams, food banks and shelter dinners, clothing drives, prisoner transition mentoring, sustainable agricultural issues, and immigration education, as well as fine arts and youth programming.

Don’t expect to be able to identify them among the crowd, though. There are no distinguishing features, no banners worn, no buttons displayed here. Today, LGBTQ people are fully integrated in the life of the church and all its activities.

 

Church Involvement

 

We welcome members and friends of Plymouth Church who self-identify as LGBTQ persons. All are welcome and we encourage you to participate in all aspects of Plymouth life and service.

 

Events

Occasional events or programs are planned for discussion or just fun, including after-church lunch groups, brunches, potlucks and seminars. We join together for service projects, including serving at shelter meals, that extend Plymouth’s goal of increasing love of God and neighbor. And…of course…Plymouth always is a large presence in the annual Capitol City Pride parade and festival! Look for our distinctive red shirts with the Plymouth logo.

 

 

Download Celebrating 20 Years of Open & Affirming (pdf) which includes Plymouth’s Open and Affirming Policy, information about Earl Willits whose endowment helped establish many of the LGBTQ programs Plymouth continues to host, and stories from Plymouth people who share what being part of an Open and Affirming congregation means to them.