The Rev. Mak Kneebone, pastor of Plymouth United Church in Spring, TX, is the Open and Affirming Coalition’s new president. Kneebone was elected by the Coalition’s Leadership Team at its meeting in July in Baltimore. “I’m so pleased that Mak is willing to take on…
The United Church of Christ and the Open and Affirming Coalition stand today with our transgender members, neighbors, friends and family throughout this country. This morning, President Trump imposed a total ban on service by transgender Americans in the United States Armed Forces. The action…
By Jason Carson Wilson Justice and Peace Policy Fellow, Justice and Witness Ministries We asked Jason Carson Wilson from Justice and Witness Ministries’ Washington office to blog about “Creating Change,” the annual gathering of the National LGBTQ Task Force. Creating Change created community and connections. That…
December 2016 Dear Open and Affirming family: The new year will bring new challenges to the Open and Affirming movement. I’m asking for your support, and your congregation’s support, so we can meet these challenges with confidence and strength. It’s too early to predict exactly…
Read the latest issue of RIPPLES, the Coalition’s free email newsletter for the Open and Affirming movement in the United Church of Christ. In this issue: Latest on Trump transition, with a focus on potential threats to marriage equality, LGBTQ civil rights, and the transgender…
Join Andy Lang at our ONA 201 webinar Nov. 15 or Dec. 6 to learn about next steps for your ONA church. Dear Open and Affirming family: If there was ever any question that the Open and Affirming movement is urgently needed–in our church,…
Latest issue of RIPPLES, the Coalition’s free email newsletter for UCC churches. In this issue: ONA 201 webinars Oct. 25, Nov. 15, Dec. 6! New resource on the Bible and transgender experience Building an Inclusive Church workshops may be near you! Spirit Day 2016: get…
Latest issue of RIPPLES: the Coalition’s free email newsletter for ONA churches! In this issue: No one is free until all are free Recharge your ONA batteries! This week’s global LGBTQ news Welcome 8 new ONA churches! Calendar of events Help the ONA movement…
A slightly smaller, but powerful group of advocates gathered in St. Joseph, MN in June for the Coalition’s National Open and Affirming Coalition Gathering. Plenary and workshop topics focused on two main goals: to continue working towards a denomination that is “100% Open and Affirming”…
From the ONA Coalition Leadership Team The idea that our lives, communities, cultures, and issues of injustice and oppression are connected on a deeper level is a good starting point for understanding intersectionality. Intersectionality is a big word. It gets used by many people to…
The Open and Affirming Coalition advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the United Church of Christ and beyond, and equips UCC congregations to become effective witnesses to Christ’s extravagant welcome. Read more