First Presbyterian Church at Dayton
Where the Welcome is Wide
The Dayton Church Has Returned to In Person Worship
Masks Required, in Accordance with the Township mandate.
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The Dodge City AA Group
is Gathering Online on Saturday Mornings at 11:00am.
Click HERE to Join Them
The Dayton Church's Food Outreach Program
"The Open Kitchen" will be
offered on Saturday, January 29
4:30-6:00pm
Choice between multiple entrees
with accompanying side dishes and dessert.
All meals packaged separately
and put right into your trunk!
While supplies last.
No Pre-Registration Required;
You Don't Need to be a Resident of South Brunswick to Come
Any and all who have need are welcome.
We're So Glad to Give our Members and Friends an Opportunity to Support the Dayton Church Through
Online Giving.
Click the "Give Now" Graphic to Make your Tax Deductible Electronic Gift.
To Learn More About
Online giving,
click here.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together….but encouraging one another
- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
The Dayton Church sanctuary re-opens for public worship this Sunday. When we return, we know that while some will begin to attend in person, we know that some will continue to worship at home for some time. We give thanks, then, for the promise of our faith—that the Lord God will bless and keep us, the risen Christ is with us, and the Holy Spirit connects us with believers near and far. We take comfort and inspiration from the example of the earliest believers, who “spent much time together in the temple” and “broke bread at home … with glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46).
The Dayton Church asks everyone who attends indoor worship to abide by the following:
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To not attend if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms (cough, fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, headache, new fatigue, nausea or vomiting, congestion or runny nose), had contact with someone recently diagnosed with COVID or who has COVID symptoms;
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That you comply with the South Brunswick executive order requiring masks be worn while attending in person worship.
In order to love neighbor as self (Mark 12:31) and strive for the safety of all who have not been fully vaccinated, we recommend the following practices:
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That social distance be maintained from those who are attending, outside of individuals in your own household before, during the worship service by sitting in pews designated as open, unless you know that everyone you are interacting with has been fully vaccinated. Ushers will be on hand to help seat you and cannot guarantee favorite or traditional pews at this time.
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That bulletins be picked-up in the front & rear of the sanctuary.
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That you leave your offering in the plates at the front and rear of the sanctuary, as they will not be passed for collection; you are also invited to continue online contributions or to give through the mail.
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That you hear one another’s concerns and needs for safety and health without judgement, and respect the choices of each individual in their own understanding of what practices to use when to protecting self and others.
While we seek to minimize risk by asking that those who attend to abide by the above covenant, there is risk when gathering together. Whether immunized or not, gathering with people increases your risk of contracting COVID-19 and the Dayton Church cannot guarantee that you (or your children) will not become infected with the coronavirus.
We will strive to ensure no one should feel pressured to return before they are ready; services will continue to be livestreamed.
As this congregation begins to resume public activities, please know that we will do so through a careful process of discussion and discernment, with an abundance of caution and concern for those who are most vulnerable, upon consideration of the best scientific knowledge at our disposal, in the spirit of constant prayer, and with full trust in the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. We may make mistakes along the way. There will surely be awkward moments as we adjust to new protocols and practices. There will be times of frustration, disappointment, and grief. We will have countless opportunities to exercise the spiritual gifts of patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. But there will also be blessings. There will be wonderful surprises, great celebrations, and moments of deep satisfaction. We will get to see glimpses of the new thing God is doing, even now. Let us be faithful, then—to God and to one another—as we receive the gifts and work through the challenges of this time in the life of our congregation and world. Let us be guided by the Word, responsive to the Spirit, and open to the grace of God. Let us remember that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus.
The Session of the First Presbyterian Church at Dayton
Where the Welcome is Wide
The First Presbyterian Church at Dayton is an open and affirming church,
embracing diversity in our congregation and community,
and affirming the dignity and worth
of every person created in the image of God.
We continue to honor the principle
that discrimination is incompatible with Christ's Gospel
of unconditional love.
We welcome into full membership and participation in the Body of Christ
persons of every race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation,
physical or mental ability, economic or marital status, and faith background.
We affirm and celebrate all loving and committed relationships.
We acknowledge the history of the institutional church in condemning and excluding people based on their identity, and in condoning such discrimination in silence. We commit ourselves to work diligently to end such oppression and discrimination.
Following the example of Jesus Christ, we hereby declare ourselves to be an open and affirming church.
statement approved by Session 2013