The congregation of St. Paul’s “Big Creek” United Church of Christ at 414 Old Mill Road in Lehighton has adopted an “open and affirming” covenant.

The covenant commits the congregation to welcoming everyone into full participation at the church.

The covenant states that, “We the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Big Creek, Lehighton, PA, value and welcome a diverse congregation. We are an Open and Affirming church believing that each of us is created in God’s image. We celebrate everyone, including people of all ages, races, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions, family configurations, economic circumstances, physical, cognitive, or emotional abilities, education, or spiritual and religious traditions.”

The covenant goes on to state, “All are welcome to participate fully in the life, leadership, ministry, and mission of this church as we seek to grow together in a safe and nurturing community of faith. We strive to demonstrate in all ways that “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. We commit ourselves to the ongoing work of being an ONA congregation, one that lives out the belief that God is still speaking. With God’ grace, we journey together in Christian faith.”

In adopting the covenant, the church joins 29 other UCC churches in eastern Pennsylvania as an open and affirming congregation. The St. Paul’s UCC congregation welcomes everyone to worship in a safe and welcoming place.

St. Paul’s “Big Creek” UCC is 183 years old this year. The historic church is called “Big Creek” because Pohopoco Creek flows nearby and once powered a mill, hence the name “Old Mill Rd.”

The church is a union church which means that the church is shared by a Lutheran Congregation with church services on alternate Sundays.

Union churches are increasingly rare and the church is one of only eight in the Pennsylvania Northeast Conference of the United Church of Christ (or “reformed” church).

The next UCC service will be held at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.