A Communications Covenant for

Plymouth Congregational Church of Belmont, MA

Called to work together as the presence of Christ

in our church and in the world

to build the community of faith,

we covenant to

Listen and speak to each other with love and respect, which means we…

·      Build trust by listening deeply to one another;

·      Affirm one another;

·      Think before speaking, asking our hearts for words that are loving;

·      Speak only for ourselves using “I,” and speak based on first-hand knowledge;

·      Speak to honor everyone as God’s children, without disrespecting them;

·      Treat others as we want to be treated; and

·      Do not gossip but speak directly to one other about our feelings and concerns.

Value all voices and perspectives, which means we…

·      Take responsibility for sharing fully and lovingly our hearts and minds;

·      Live as a community that welcomes and includes all:

o    By inviting and being receptive to others’ views on important issues

o    By creating a variety of ways for all to be heard

o    By making every reasonable effort that all may speak and

o    By being open to solutions we did not see initially; and

·      Strive for full and mutual understanding, especially when we do not agree.

Work together to live out this covenant, which means we…

·      Accept our responsibility to participate in the life of the church;

·      Pray as a community for discernment, understanding, and forgiveness, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit;

·      Display, lift up this covenant, and hold ourselves and each other accountable to it;

·      Respect one’s need for “time out” from community, even their choice to leave;

·      Share all relevant information openly;

·      Specify clearly our roles, responsibilities, timeframes and processes, when seeking discernment and making decisions as a congregation;

·      Provide for post-evaluation and review of important congregational decisions; and

·      Remain in covenant and communication with those who dissent.