As we move through the days after Thanksgiving, many of us are still reflecting on moments shared around tables, on couches, or even comfortably on floors surrounded by food and loved ones. Let us continue to celebrate the rich tapestry of our community, woven with diverse threads of culture, belief, identity, and expression. Let us give thanks for the abundance in our lives—the relationships, experiences, and blessings that sustain us.

Yet, as we pause in gratitude, let us also remember those who are struggling—those who face empty plates, lonely hearts, or the burdens of systemic injustices and oppression. May our hearts remain open to their needs, and may our hands be ready to extend compassion and support. Thanksgiving reminds us of the abundance in our lives while also calling us to embody God’s vision of justice, love, and equity for all—a vision that leads us into the sacred season of Advent, beginning this Sunday.

Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation, a time filled with hope and the promise of what is to come. As we prepare to light the first candle of Advent, we will be reminded that God’s light is already breaking into the world, bringing hope even to the darkest places.

As we prepare for this holy season, let us renew our commitment to caring for God’s creation and celebrating the radical love that connects us all—person to person, community to community, and humanity to all of creation.

May this Thanksgiving weekend not only fill you with joy and gratitude but also inspire you with a renewed sense of purpose as we enter Advent. Together, let us prepare our hearts and lives for the hope, peace, joy, and love that Christ brings into the world.

In Gratitude and Hope,
Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh, Executive Director

TheOpen and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ

Here is a video of a full worship service where coalition executive director Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh preached at David’s United Church of Christ in Canal Winchester, OH.

Click here to donate to Justice 100 (our end of the year fundraising campaign) or find out how to start a team and help us raise the funds needed to fulfill our mission.

Dear Beloved ONA Family,

As the year comes to an end, I had outlined an approach for the End of Year Campaign outreach, which would showcase the achievements of The Coalition over the past year. It was to give details of the work that entails how we have been able to be a part of the solution for getting threatened ONA pastors to safety, Trans families in danger to supportive states, and partnered collaborations for life-saving housing for Ugandan LGBTQIAN2S+ identified individuals. We have been God’s hands nationally and internationally because of your kindness. We have also partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association to promote brain health and to maximize support for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease through awareness and education specifically for, but not exclusively, the LGBTQIAN2S+ community and their families. We have had success with our pilot “Holding Space”; a mental wellness program for ONA pastors, clergy, and Ministers-In-Discernment to have a space for spiritual and mental balance and professional support. These are just a few. But after the results of November 5th, the plan to make those highlights have changed. 

As the night of the 5th was ending, I decided to download Project 2025 and began to read. Page XII reads, “The 2025 Presidential Transition Project is the conservative movement’s unified effort to be ready for the next conservative Administration to govern at 12:00 noon, January 20, 2025. Welcome to the mission”. Beginning on page 4 it reads, “The next conservative President must make the institutions of American civil society hard targets for woke culture warriors. This starts with deleting the terms sexual orientation and gender identity (“SOGI”), diversity, equity, and inclusion — 5 — Foreword (“DEI”), gender, gender equality, gender equity, gender awareness, gender-sensitive, abortion, reproductive health, reproductive rights, and any other term used to deprive Americans of their First Amendment rights out of every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation, and piece of legislation that exists.” 

What we, The Coalition, have done is only a small example of what we will need to be prepared to do. 2025 calls for exponential growth and building of the work we accomplished in 2024. It will require multiplying our impact by expanding our efforts. But we will not be able to answer the requests of the realities in the days to come without your financial support. We need to not just be able to be hands-on and present via our ONA certification process, webinars, podcasts, funds for me to travel and preach and offer in-person support and workshops, but we also need to begin a mutual aid fund for the dangers we don’t know will come, but that will come for the LGBTQIAN2S+ community. I have had some very disheartening conversations already, and the most disturbing have been of how the KIDS (age 6-12) are processing forward. They have shared their confusion, anger, and fear and parents have reached out to ask for guidance. We want to also be a ready resource for our children, and for the parents who need assistance in helping their child(ren) feel safe. 

It is my hope you will grab hold of your God values and dig a little deeper to help us expand and add new tools to how we can advocate for the LGBTQIAN2S+ community. We’re grateful for the in-kind contributions and designated gifts we’ve received from National Ministries, but the gifts account for a very small percentage of our budget. Unlike many other ministries, we don’t receive any core funding from Our Church’s Wider Mission. Our work is primarily funded by the contributions of individuals and churches who believe in our mission. Your gifts don’t just make a difference, they are the fuel of our work. So even small contributions have an impact on this Justice work, but larger contributions can go a long way.

Your donation will touch, impact, and change many lives as a direct influence to empower clergy, congregations and laity, amplify voices of humanity rights for ALL, establish a place of refuge & safety, and help us mobilize in advocacy efforts to fight oppression, discrimination, and to nurture spirits in such a needed time. John 13:34 reads, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”. 1 John 3:18 implies that Love is a do word. Thank you in advance for your generous gift of Love. 

Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh (She/Her/They)

Executive Director,

The Open and Affirming Coalition Of the United Church of Christ (UCC)

Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh, Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition, is ordained clergy with ministerial standing in both the Disciples of Christ and The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, and is an accomplished poet, grant writer, and mental health advocate featured in national publications. Connect with her on Facebook.

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To Send in a Check Donation please send to:

Open and Affirming Coalition
United Church of Christ
1300 E 9th St. Suite 1100
Cleveland, OH 4411