What is an ONA Statement? After a period of study, discussion and prayer, a congregation which has decided to become Open and Affirming composes a statement that expresses its commitment to welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, LGBT) into the full life and ministry of the church; this is the focus of the Open and Affirming resolution created by the UCC General Synod in 1985, as well as the Transgender resolution of the General Synod in 2003. Many statements also clarify the congregation's welcome to people in regard to other characteristics, such as color, age, ability, socioeconomic status, marital status, and any other quality identified by a congregation. The congregation votes on whether to approve the statement. Most often, churches write and adopt a distinct statement on Open and Affirming, but some include this commitment as part of their Mission Statement or Bylaws. Each ONA process is as unique as the congregations that embark on them. The outcome of our process is not predetermined. If we choose to become an Open and Affirming church, we will craft our own statement that reflects our values and beliefs.
Samples of ONA Statements from UCC churches around the country Plainfield Congregational United Church of Christ, Plainfield, IL We, the people of the Plainfield Congregational United Church of Christ, seek to be a community of Christians who celebrate and live in openness to the voice of the Still Speaking God. We celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of each expression of God s diverse family as well as our oneness in Christ. As we seek to live out our mission to live Christ s compassion and promote justice, healing and wholeness of life we welcome into our community persons of every gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, age, race, nationality, economic and social status, faith background, marital standing and family structure; and we invite them to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our congregation as we seek to grow together in faith and love. United Church of Christ, Congregational, Plainfield, NJ We are an "Open and Affirming" Church The following was adopted by acclamation by the congregation on January 24, 2009 as an outward statement of our every-day practices and strong beliefs: "We, the United Church of Christ - Congregational of Plainfield, New Jersey, declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation. In the spirit of Paul's words in Galatians, we recognize, celebrate and give thanks for the diversity in which God has created us, each in the image and likeness of God and loved and embraced by God. We acknowledge that discrimination of any kind is incompatible with Christ's example and gospel of unconditional love. We invite and welcome into community persons of every gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, age, race, nationality, socioeconomic status, faith background, marital standing and family structure. Therefore, no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome in this United Church of Christ."
Flagg Road United Church of Christ, West Hartford, CT We Welcome All. Our decision to become an Open & Affirming church in 2006 was one that came with a lot of thought and purpose. An ad hoc committee was formed to consider the topic. They talked to other congregations and groups, gathered input from our membership and each wrote about why they supported this declaration: We the members of the Flagg Road United Church of Christ (Congregational) declare that we welcome all to share in our community of faith. We acknowledge our diversity and seek to include all people without regard to their age, ethnicity, gender, marital status, religious background, sexual orientation and economic, emotional or physical limitations, for we are children of God. We invite all who seek God s guidance to join our open and affirming faith community and share fully in our church s life and opportunities for ministry. We rely upon the unconditional nature of God s love and grace to be our help and guide as we undertake this journey together. When our church membership unanimously approved this statement, it was with much pride. We welcome everyone. Church of the Good Shepherd, Albuquerque, NM Church of the Good Shepherd, United Church of Christ, is an Open and Affirming congregation. We seek to be inclusive of all persons without regard to age, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, marital status, economic status, and personal ability. We recognize the diversity of human nature as a part of God s universal plan, and affirm all families and relationships founded on love, respect, responsibility and trust. We welcome into the full life and ministry of our church all those who seek Truth through Christ s teachings. Grace Immanuel UCC, Louisville, KY Who We Are We are an open and affirming community following the teachings of Jesus. We seek God's will for today through an inner spiritual journey and an outer journey of engagement in community life. Our faith leads us to welcome all persons, including those of all races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, family structures, faith backgrounds, abilities and economic circumstances, into the full life and ministry of this church.
St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL St. Paul s is an Open and Affirming congregation. We accept into the Congregation and as friends all who believe in God without regard to race, color, age, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or physical ability. Rincon Congregational Church, Tucson, AZ We declare ourselves to be an open and affirming church accepting and valuing people regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity and physical/mental ability. First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn, IL At First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, we rejoice in our community of faith, strengthened by diversity, including diversity of culture, economic status, age, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, and physical or mental abilities. We affirm that God is glorified when we welcome all people to our spiritual community, as Jesus did. Wherever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. First Congregational Church of Granby, Granby, CT Our Open and Affirming statement is: We, the First Congregational Church of Granby, Connecticut, declare that we are an Open and Affirming congregation, a safe place for all of God's children. We welcome all individuals and families who desire to share in our community of faith. We affirm the dignity and worth of every person, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, mental or physical ability or sexual orientation. We offer all sacraments and rites to all who enter our circle of faith. We celebrate the gifts that each person brings to First Congregational Church and invite them to share in all areas of its service, leadership, activities, responsibilities and privileges. We strive to function faithfully in response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Christ's principles of love and justice, grace and mercy. We believe there are no outsiders in a community that is observant of God's will. Led by Jesus' spirit, through our words and actions, we will work toward breaking down the barriers of prejudice. As an Open and Affirming church, we join our sisters and brothers in the United Church of Christ and all other persons who are committed to the struggle for justice, love and inclusiveness, with the example of Jesus Christ as our guide. "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." (John 13:34)
Hope United, Georgetown, TX Hope United is an Open and Affirming congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person, since we are all created in God s image. We welcome into full membership and participation in the Body of Christ persons of every race, ethnic background, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, socio-economic background, marital status and faith background. We welcome all to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation. Lake Oswego United Church of Christ, Lake Oswego, OR Our statement reads: We are called to love our brothers and sisters as God loves us, freely and without reservation. Our unconditional love is inclusive of all God s people. We denounce acts of discrimination and violence against any person. We celebrate the family in all its diverse forms, and affirm all loving and committed relationships. We welcome all people into our community of faith, whatever age, gender, gender expression, race, sexual orientation, religion, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or physical/mental abilities. Each person is invited and encouraged to participate in all aspects of our church life and ministry. Shepherd of the Hills UCC, Phoenix, AZ The mission of Shepherd of the Hills, United Church of Christ, is to inspire love for God and neighbor. We reach out to all people with meaningful worship, Christian education, and opportunities for service. We are an open and inviting church with a concern for community-wide social justice. Our members are active stewards, investing themselves and their resources in the Church s mission. We welcome new members, involving them in our Church life as we share the Gospel and our faith. We seek to know God s presence in our lives through humility, openness, and devotion. The congregation has affirmed that in our Mission Statement, where it says, 'all people', we mean everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, socio-economic status, and physical, mental, emotional ability or disability and thus declare ourselves to be an 'open and affirming congregation.'
Silver City United Church of Christ, Silver City, NM Who Is Welcome Here? If you identify as Asian, Hispanic, African-American, Native American, Anglo, mixed-race, or any race... If you identify as male, female, or transgender... If you're three days old, thirty years old, or one hundred and three years old... If you've never set foot in a church, if you're a baptized Roman Catholic, if you're a Buddhist who finds Christians interesting, if you're agnostic, if you're spiritual and not religious, or if you're a lifelong UCCer... If you're single, married, divorced, separated, or partnered... If you're lesbian, gay, bisexual, or straight... If you're a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, a Socialist, or not registered to vote... If you have addictions, mental illness, phobias, a criminal record, or secrets... If you've had a biological child, adopted a child, fostered a child, don't have a child, or have had an abortion... If you own your home, rent, live with your parents, live on a friend's couch, live out of your car, or are homeless... If you consider yourself fully-abled, differently-abled, or disabled... No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here! Congregational Church of Faribault - United Church of Christ, Faribault, MN We the Congregational Church of Faribault, Minnesota, United Church of Christ, declare our congregation to be an Open and Affirmation church. We acknowledge God s acceptance of every individual and Jesus commandment to love one another. Therefore, we welcome gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual individuals to worship and enter into the full life and ministry of this church. We strive for justice and equality for all of God s children in our journey of faith.
Waverly Heights Congregational United Church or Christ, Portland, OR Open and Affirming Open and Affirming Waverly Heights Congregational United Church of Christ Open and Affirming Statement October 9, 2000 We know the church has often excluded people from the community of faith because they are somehow different from those within that spiritual family. We confess that ignorance, fear, and hatred in ourselves, the church, and our society have caused this brokenness and we ask for the grace of God to heal it. We the members of Waverly Heights Congregational United Church of Christ have known the joy of being accepted and affirmed by God and by one another. We rejoice and find strength in our diversity, which reflects the inclusiveness of God s love. We denounce acts of discrimination and violence against any person. We celebrate the family in all its diverse forms, and affirm all nurturing, loving, and committed relationships. We welcome all people into our community of faith, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation (whether homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, or transsexual), ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or physical/mental abilities. Each person is invited and encouraged to participate in all aspects of our church life and ministry. Therefore, we, the members of Waverly Heights Congregational United Church of Christ, declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming Church in response to the call of the 15th General Synod of the United Church of Christ, July 2, 1985. David s United Church of Christ, Canal Winchester, OH Open and Affirming Statement "Honoring our Vision Statement and listening to our Still Speaking God, we declare ourselves to be open and affirming. With God's grace we are a congregation on a journey that includes all persons, embracing differences of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, age, mental and physical ability, as well as racial, ethnic, or social- economic background. We welcome all to share in the life and leadership, ministry and fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation."