UCC Coalition Executive Director Andy Lang spoke at the National Press Club Oct. 10 on the eve of National Coming Out Day and the opening of the Religious Right’s “Value Voters Summit.” The anti-LGBT lobby doesn’t speak for most American Christians, he said. More than…
Here’s a summary from the PBS website about the “To the Contrary” feature on Open and Affirming congregations in the United Church of Christ: “To the Contrary” on PBS Oct. 12 traveled to churches in Arizona, Minnesota and Washington D.C., interviewing UCC pastors and church…
Robert Emil Henry Koenig August 31, 1919-November 28, 2013 The Rev. Dr. Robert E. Koenig departed this life on Thanksgiving Day after a brief illness. He was 94. With ordained ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA), Bob was…
Samuel Loliger, the Coalition’s longtime National Coordinator, died Thursday, Jan. 2, after a long illness. He was 76. Please hold Sam in your prayers as he begins his new life in the company of all the saints, and for Don Behr, Sam’s loving and devoted…
A call from the Human Rights Campaign: Let’s come together as a community to serve LGBT homeless youth on MLK Day of Service. On Monday, Jan. 20, MLK Day of Service is a “day on, not a day off.” It is a way to transform…
Anti-transgender organizers say they have enough signatures to force a vote on repeal of California’s law protecting the rights of transgender students. If the ballot measure comes to a vote, the Coalition will support our ONA churches in California to assure there’s a strong faith…
The United Church of Christ played a role in the decision Friday by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby overturning the Utah ban on same-sex marriage. Shelby argued that marriage equality would protect the religious freedom of churches that want to marry gay and lesbian…
Here’s the latest issue of RIPPLES—the Coalition’s e-newsletter for Open and Affirming churches: New Mexico is state #17 to adopt marriage equality United Methodist pastor Frank Schaefer defrocked for celebrating gay son’s marriage Coalition welcomes UCC Open and Affirming chuch #1,156
The United Methodist Church has dismissed the Rev. Frank Schaefer as punishment for officiating at the wedding of his gay son. The church’s Council of Bishops is also recommending disciplinary proceedings against retired Bishop Melvin Talbert, who also officiated at a same-sex wedding. The Coalition’s Leadership Team is…
Dave Knapp, a member of First Congregational Church in Guilford, Conn., joined the Boy Scouts of America in 1938. He was expelled 55 years later when the Scouts learned he was gay. Since then, he’s campaigned tirelessly for a change in the Boy Scouts’ policy…
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