Mission Statement
The Congregational Church of Laconia, United Church of Christ, is a welcoming Christian community with a scriptural foundation seeking justice and peace for all. We aspire:
- to promote vibrant public and personal worship;
- to inspire the spiritual development of every person;
- to provide a place of warm and friendly community gathering;
- to express our concern for our neighbors near and far through sharing and caring;
- to express the joy of our communion with God and with each other as revealed through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain us.
Open and Affirming 
Our church community and our worship services are Open and Affirming, and we strive to make that known in a variety of ways. We are an open-minded congregation who seek to welcome all people. The message of “All Are Welcome Here” is an important aspect of our mission both within our church and to the wider community. The rainbow flags displayed in our facility are a public statement that we welcome LGBTQIA individuals and that we are a safe space. We have invited both lecturers and musical guests whose message is one of awareness, loving compassion, and inclusion for everyone. We offer scholarships to many New England and statewide church events to provide more people access, regardless of their socioeconomic situation.
Congregational Church of Laconia Open and Affirming Statement
Adopted November 19th, 2017
Wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
We, the Congregational Church of Laconia, United Church of Christ, join our brothers and sisters in this community, this nation, and this world who are committed to work for justice and peace. We are guided by the all-inclusive love of Jesus in our affirmation of others. We walk humbly with God and stand with those who suffer discrimination, isolation, and alienation to create a safe place, striving for wholeness and healing for all. We strive to be open to and affirming of all people regardless of race, ethnicity, religious belief, faith history, socioeconomic status, age, marital status, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. No matter who we are or where we are on life’s path, through grace we make this journey together so that our love for God and for our neighbors may flourish.
Just Peace 
Adopted January 27, 1991
Be It Resolved that we, members of this church, declare ourselves to be a Just Peace Church. We thus commit ourselves to speak and act for peace and justice, recognizing that each depends upon the other. We do this supported by prayer, worship, and education. Reasons:
- God calls us to bring about justice and to make peace in our world.
- Enactment of this resolution will formalize our status as a church that is and has been seeking to bring justice and peace to our community and to the world through:
- Biblical and theological study,
- Study and discussion of contemporary peace and justice issues,
- Stewardship of resources,
- Spiritual witness, and
- Advocacy of public policies that promote peace and justice.
Click here for more information about the history of Just Peace within the United Church of Christ.
About the UCC 
The United Church of Christ is a denomination of 5,600 churches and 1.2 million members. We are people of God's extravagant welcome, who listen for the still speaking God and insist that "Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we."
We speak in contemporary ways because we affirm the responsibility of the church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God.
We try to remain attentive to God's creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and your head and heart are both welcomed into our places of worship. We prepare our members and leaders to be engaged in ministry in the present and future, and we embrace all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking. Why? Because God is still speaking.
We believe in extravagant welcome. This is why we insist that God's communion table is open, not closed, and God's gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregations extend hospitality as a sign of God's inclusive love. We teach that evangelism - offering bread to those in search of it - is God's mission. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with - not against - people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking.
We believe the church's mission is to change lives - individually, systematically, and globally. We work to make transformation possible, but trust in God's grace. This is why we insist that churches must be places of vitality in worship, learning and advocacy. We are committed to working for justice and believe that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships. Why? Because God is still speaking.
"Never place a period where God has placed a comma". ~Gracie Allen
