We Are An Inclusive Church.
If you have worshipped with us a few times, you may have noticed some differences in the language that we use. For example, perhaps the words of familiar hymns are changed slightly.
Why do we make these changes?
Metropolitan Community Churches around the world want to be as inclusive as possible. The way that we use language can make people feel included or excluded.
Throughout the ages, humans have tried to describe God, who is beyond human description. We use language in our worship that reflects the rich variety of images and experiences of God that exist in scripture and beyond.
In the Bible, there are many different images of God, as well as the image of God as Father.
A few examples are:
· A refuge (Psalm 46:1)
· A nursing mother (Isaiah 49:15)
· A sun and shield (Psalm 84:11)
· A mother eagle (Deuteronomy 32:11)
· A potter (Isaiah 64:8)
· A woman in childbirth (Isaiah 42:14)
In the Old Testament, God reveals God’s own name in Exodus 3:13 – 15. “I Am Who I Am.” The Hebrew name for God is YHWH, pronounced Yahweh. This is a gender neutral term. God is neither totally male, nor totally female. God is “both and neither”.As Jews do not say the name of God, translators of the Bible into English replaced YHWH with LORD, out of respect for the Jewish faith.Many hymns and prayers were written when women were not seen as equal to men in society and in church. At MCC Newcastle, we believe that God made women and men as equals. So, for example, at Christmas we sing “Good Christians all rejoice!”, because women, as well as men, rejoice at the birth of Christ!
Why do we say “Please rise as you are able?”
Not everyone can stand up and some of us have days when our bodies won’t let us move as freely as we would like! This choice of language reflects the varying needs in the congregation.
Metropolitan Community Churches worshipped in accessible buildings for many years, before legislation on this issue in the UK was developed. We want our services to be accessible to as many people as possible.
If you have difficulty reading the overhead projection due to impaired eyesight, there are large print versions of the service printed out on yellow paper. These are available on the Welcome table, as you first come into church.
There is a hearing loop available in the Main Church, where we have Sunday Worship.
Being an inclusive church is an ongoing process. We believe in a God that loves inclusively and unconditionally. We reflect this in how we worship and how we behave towards one another.
Why do we make these changes?
Metropolitan Community Churches around the world want to be as inclusive as possible. The way that we use language can make people feel included or excluded.
Throughout the ages, humans have tried to describe God, who is beyond human description. We use language in our worship that reflects the rich variety of images and experiences of God that exist in scripture and beyond.
In the Bible, there are many different images of God, as well as the image of God as Father.
A few examples are:
· A refuge (Psalm 46:1)
· A nursing mother (Isaiah 49:15)
· A sun and shield (Psalm 84:11)
· A mother eagle (Deuteronomy 32:11)
· A potter (Isaiah 64:8)
· A woman in childbirth (Isaiah 42:14)
In the Old Testament, God reveals God’s own name in Exodus 3:13 – 15. “I Am Who I Am.” The Hebrew name for God is YHWH, pronounced Yahweh. This is a gender neutral term. God is neither totally male, nor totally female. God is “both and neither”.As Jews do not say the name of God, translators of the Bible into English replaced YHWH with LORD, out of respect for the Jewish faith.Many hymns and prayers were written when women were not seen as equal to men in society and in church. At MCC Newcastle, we believe that God made women and men as equals. So, for example, at Christmas we sing “Good Christians all rejoice!”, because women, as well as men, rejoice at the birth of Christ!
Why do we say “Please rise as you are able?”
Not everyone can stand up and some of us have days when our bodies won’t let us move as freely as we would like! This choice of language reflects the varying needs in the congregation.
Metropolitan Community Churches worshipped in accessible buildings for many years, before legislation on this issue in the UK was developed. We want our services to be accessible to as many people as possible.
If you have difficulty reading the overhead projection due to impaired eyesight, there are large print versions of the service printed out on yellow paper. These are available on the Welcome table, as you first come into church.
There is a hearing loop available in the Main Church, where we have Sunday Worship.
Being an inclusive church is an ongoing process. We believe in a God that loves inclusively and unconditionally. We reflect this in how we worship and how we behave towards one another.
