Polity & Beliefs
Our Purpose . . .
The purpose of the Church is, through the worship of God, preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, celebration of the Sacraments, to be a sanctuary of the Spirit, to be an Open and Affirming church, a friendly fellowship, a source for development of Christian character, a center of helpful service, a force for civic righteousness, justice and peace, a power for God throughout the world, and an unfailing spring of inner refreshment and strength, open to all who come.
Polity . . .
The governance of the Church shall be vested in its members, who exercise the right of control in all its affairs, subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Church, as a member of the United Church of Christ pledges to share its common aims and goals, and to cooperate with all churches which seek to promote the Kingdom of God.
Covenant . . .
Bound together as a Christian Church, and dependent upon the continuing guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us, we covenant to walk in all our ways according to the rule of the Gospel, in mutual love and respect for one another, to strive to carry out the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves.
Open and Affirming Statement (2001) . . .
We bid unqualified welcome to all who seek to know God, and encourage full participation of all members in the life of the First Congregational Church of Harwich, a local congregation of the United Church of Christ.
We respect, support and lovingly encourage people of every race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical or mental ability to join us on our journey of faith.