First Presbyterian Church at Dayton
Where the Welcome is Wide
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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.
The Dayton Church's Food Outreach Program
"The Open Kitchen" will be
offered on Saturday, August 27th
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.
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 has re-opened for public worship. We have returned, knowing that while some are comfortable to attend in person, others will continue to worship at home for the time being. 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.
If you attend worship in the sanctuary, you can anticipate the following:
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All worshippers are invited to make their own decisions about masking. As a mask-optional congregation, we ask 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.
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Bulletins can be picked-up in the front & rear of the sanctuary.
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You are invited to 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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We have two areas in the sanctuary where spacing for the purpose of social distancing has been marked out. There is open seating in the majority of the sanctuary space.
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There are two commercial grade air purifiers running in the sanctuary during the entirety of worship, located at the front and rear of the sanctuary space.
Whether immunized, boosted 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