Putting God’s love and justice into action is important to us. Five Social Justice Ministries and a variety of other activities serve as vital embodiments of the commitments expressed in our congregational Covenants to reach for abundant life for all people and all of God’s creation.
LGBTQ+ and Allies
In 1987, very early in the movement for LGBTQ+ justice and inclusion in the United Church of Christ, First Congregational declared our church to be Open and Affirming. Our members were active in helping to articulate this commitment in the wider church, making our congregation not only the first in Colorado, but also one of the first in the country to affirm LGBTQ+ people in the full life and leadership of the church.
For us, this commitment is more than extending an intentionally warm welcome. It’s a core expression of our faith and our calling. Because God loves us with a love that knows no bounds, we are meant to love lavishly too. The compassion of Jesus that broke down barriers is also our calling. Our Open and Affirming Covenant expresses our commitment to extend an embrace as wide as the arms of God. Our LGBTQ+ and Allies Ministry is both a support group and a justice ministry.
Climate Action
Our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship has deepened through the adoption of a Creation Justice Covenant and the formation of an active Climate Action Team. This team challenges us to think and act boldly for the future well-being of the Earth, while recognizing the connections between the climate crisis and broader justice issues.
Gun Violence Prevention
The mass shooting in Boulder in 2021 brought the harsh reality of gun violence devastatingly close to home, inspiring us to establish a Gun Violence Prevention Ministry. This ministry seeks to raise awareness of the crisis and advocate for meaningful change.
Mental Health/A2A
Our Accessible to All Covenant calls us to honor the challenges and celebrate the gifts of individuals with diverse abilities and disabilities. As a WISE congregation, we are proud to be the first in the United Church of Christ to commit to being Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged in promoting Mental Health. Through our Mental Health/A2A Ministry, we foster education on accessibility and mental wellness, offer support groups, and sustain meaningful mission partnerships in these vital areas.
Racial Justice
The murder of George Floyd in 2020 compelled us to confront systemic racism and our nation’s enduring legacy of slavery in profound ways. In response, we established our Racial Justice Ministry, recognizing the need for continued education and action. As a founding congregation of the Boulder NAACP, we are committed to racial justice, which also includes advocating for refugees and immigrants, and expressing our concern over the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A recent pilgrimage to Colorado’s Amache WWII internment camp and the site of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre – where Arapaho and Cheyenne people were tragically killed – reminded us of the lasting harm of racial injustice. We have embarked on a journey to humbly acknowledge the location of our church on the current and ancestral homeland of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute indigenous people.
In addition to these Ministries, our congregation is generous in our giving to direct service organizations. We also have a long history of feeding hungry people and providing support for Boulder’s unhoused population in a variety of ways. Voter engagement was a significant activity for us in this past election. Legislative advocacy is a growing edge and is becoming an important practice of our faith.