Where to find an Open and Affirming church

Our map of ONA churches is temporarily offline while we address a number of technical issues. In the meantime, please use the UCC church map at www.ucc.org/find and look for the designation “ONA” followed by “Y.” Or email us at ed@openandaffirming.org.

Q. What can I expect in an ONA church?

A. A community of faith where you and your family are safe!

Because each congregation in the United Church of Christ is independent, and therefore free to make its own decisions, there is a broad diversity of theology and practice in our tradition. In the UCC, there is no hierarchy that can impose uniformity on our churches. Each ONA congregation has independently adopted an Open and Affirming covenant after a journey of dialogue, study and prayer. There are differences between congregations, but generally, an ONA church:

  • is a safe space for open and honest conversation about human sexuality and gender identity.
  • encourages LGBTQ members to serve in lay and ordained leadership.
  • celebrates same-sex weddings.
  • celebrates the anniversaries of LGBTQ married and partnered couples and offers rites to honor gender transitions.
  • advocates for LGBTQ civil rights, and defends their LGBTQ neighbors when their dignity or safety are threatened.
  • is willing to host meetings of support groups like PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
  • advertises that it is a safe space for LGBTQ and questioning youth.
  • participates as a group in the local LGBTQ Pride Parade.
  • celebrates ONA Sunday once a year and annually renews its ONA covenant.

ONA Colleges and Campus Ministries

Bowling Green University, OH, United Christian Fellowship,
Chapman University, Orange, CA, Disciples on Campus
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, Arise Campus Ministry
Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH, Berg UCC
Montana State University, Billings, United Campus Ministry
Ohio University, Athens, United Campus Ministries
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Westminster House United Campus Ministry
University of California at Santa Cruz, FEAST United Campus Christian Ministry
University of Illinois, Chicago, Agape House
Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Campus Ministry at Shaw Center

ONA Health and Human Service Ministries

Council for Health and Human Service Ministries
United Church Homes, OH
Bethany Children’s Home, PA

ONA National Ministries

National Setting of the United Church of Christ
UCC Disabilities Ministries
Council for Health and Human Service Ministries
The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
Order of Corpus Christi

ONA Online and Virtual Congregations

First UCC on Second Life

ONA Seminaries

Andover Newton Seminary at Yale
Chicago Theological Seminary
Eden Theological Seminary
Lancaster Theological Seminary
Pacific School of Religion
Union Theological Seminary
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
Vanderbilt Divinity School

ONA Conferences

Central Atlantic Conference
Central Pacific Conference
Connecticut Conference
Florida Conference
Illinois Conference
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference
Maine Conference
Massachusetts Conference
Michigan Conference
Minnesota Conference
New Hampshire Conference
New York Conference
Northern California Nevada Conference
Ohio Conference
Pacific Northwest Conference
Rhode Island Conference
Rocky Mountain Conference
Southern California Nevada Conference
Southwest Conference
Vermont Conference
Wisconsin Conference

ONA Associations

Intermountain Association
New York Metropolitan Association
Metropolitan Denver Association