Tolt Congregational United Church of Christ in Carnation will hold a discussion on Christian beliefs, the Bible and inclusion, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 at the church, located at Highway 203 and Morrison Street in Carnation.

Pastor Stephen Haddan, who received his master’s degree in divinity from Union Theological Seminary in Minnesota, will discuss “Who We Are, What We Believe, and How We Use the Bible.”

Tolt Congregational’s position as a church, which welcomes and affirms all people regardless of race, gender, economic status or sexual identity, will also be explained.

Church youth leader Cindy Sattler stated that this presentation is especially timely with the recent Valley discussions regarding the work of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Mount Si High School.

“I’ve noticed that many who oppose the GSA do so by claiming the word ‘Christian’ to describe themselves, as if being Christian explains the foundation upon which a person stakes their case. It alarms me that so many find the words ‘gay’ and ‘Christian’ to be mutually exclusive,” Sattler stated.

A social time will follow the discussion.

Tolt Congregational, founded in 1894, belongs to the United Church of Christ, and describes itself as a denomination that dates back to the Mayflower. Eleven signers of the Declaration of Independence were members of UCC predecessor bodies. The UCC was the first church to ordain an African-American (1785), a woman (1853) and an openly gay pastor (1972). The church is located at Highway 203 and Morrison Street in Carnation.

For more information, call (425) 333-4074.

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