A Statement of Welcome
For over 225 years, the faithful Christian community of the Hanover Street Presbyterian Church has been involved in life-affirming ministry in the City of Wilmington, Delaware. In the 19th century, our ancestors in faith established the first interracial school for poor children in our state. In the 1960’s, our leaders stood with those struggling for civil rights during a turbulent time of racial unrest. Women have found their voices for ministry in our midst, and we have known the grace of God in our worshiping community, as our family has become intentionally multi-racial. We have further come to value and welcome the inclusion of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in our church family, and are providing for much-needed ministry to gay and lesbian teens in our state. At each point along this journey, we have experienced the blessings of God in an ever-widening circle of love and faith.
It is a circle that has widened in response to the Gospel call of Jesus, who welcomed all people who came to him in faith, refusing none for any human condition, even when these conditions were clearly proscribed by law. He commanded us to love the Lord our God, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to love one another as He has loved us. Further, Christ commanded that the Gospel be preached to all, and Paul preached the inclusiveness of the church: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Our circle has no inner ring; our community has no distinctions in levels of membership.
Our circle has widened as a result of our understanding of Reformed Tradition, as expressed in our Book of Order. “No persons shall be denied membership because of race, ethnic origin, worldly condition, or any reason not related to profession of faith. Each member must seek the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons. Failure to do so constitutes a rejection of Christ himself, and causes a scandal to the gospel.” (G-5.0103) Membership in the church requires only profession of faith in Jesus Christ and baptism (G5.0101). Active members are entitled to all rights and privileges of the church, including the right to vote and hold office (G5.0202). Officers differ from members in function only (G6.0102). The church is enjoined to practice openness and inclusiveness in the name of Jesus Christ (G-3.0401b, G-4.0403). The church is exhorted to strive for justice and to redress wrongs against individuals and groups in the church (W-7.4001, W-7.4002).
Compelled by the gospel of Jesus Christ, the tradition of Reformed theology, and our experiences of God’s grace through inclusion, we therefore boldly and publicly proclaim:
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That our circle will be wide and unbroken, and that all who desire to join with us will be welcomed and respected. We will especially welcome those who have suffered exclusion because of barriers erected by society and church, and we resolve to follow Christ’s model of perfect love in tearing such barriers down.
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That the faithful Christian community of Hanover Street Presbyterian Church will meaningfully welcome into membership all who profess faith in Jesus Christ and who affirm that faith in baptism (G-5.0101), without regard to their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnic background, nationality, mental or physical ability, economic station, marital status, or other human condition.
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That membership shall include all privileges and responsibilities of our faith community, including ordination to the office of deacon or elder of “persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ.” We will nominate and elect those whose manner of life is “a demonstration of the Christian Gospel in the church and in the world” (G-6.0106).
Standing in our circle, we meet each other face to face, and in seeing each other more clearly, we have known God more fully. Finally, we have come to greater understandings of the realm of God as we have been in relationship with one another, particularly when those relationships have challenged, supported and strengthened us with different experiences in worship tradition, culture, and point-of-view. Our faith community is enriched by our differences.
Today we continue along the path of justice forged by our Hanover predecessors, confident that our actions are consistent with the teachings of Christ Jesus. For the good of the church and the world, we, the Session of the Hanover Street Presbyterian Church, are pleased to proclaim that we are a church fully welcoming and inclusive of all.