Intersectionality: A Promised Covenanted Relationship with all God’s Creation The Rev. Dr. Maritza Ivette Angulo Matos de Gonzalez Keynote, National Open and Affirming Gathering Cleveland, OH June 25, 2015 There are neither Jews nor Greeks, slaves nor free people, males nor females and we need…
By Phil Porter Sept. 21, 2015 An Open and Affirming covenant is your congregation’s vow to work for a church and a world where everyone is wanted and valued. The ONA Coalition’s focus on building churches and communities where LGBTQ people can live their lives…
The following is the report by Andy Lang, executive director of the Open and Affirming Coalition, at the Open and Affirming Banquet June 26, 2015, at the 30th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. June 26, 2015, is a date you won’t soon…
by the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel June 5, 2015 As a lesbian minister, a daughter, a partner and a mother, I have loved and been involved in the Open and Affirming movement since the early 1980’s. As a youth delegate to General Synod in Ames, Iowa,…
Dear Open and Affirming family: Two events this morning–a tragedy and a celebration–reminded me why the Open and Affirming movement is needed in our church and in our communities. Now, more than ever before. First, we learned of Leelah Alcorn’s suicide Sunday near Cincinnati, OH….
Dear ones, As you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Open and Affirming Coalition staff join together in giving thanks for all of you in our growing ONA family. We give thanks because you are part of a movement that is saving lives, where LGBT seekers…
Take a listen to this sermon by Ammon Ripple, faith director of Equality Pennsylvania and vice president of the Open and Affirming Coalition. Ammon, who’s on the front lines of the campaign for LGBT equal rights in Pennsylvania, inspires us to “be yourself: change the…
At its annual retreat last week, the Coalition’s Leadership Team voted to change our name from “UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns” to “Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ.” The transition to the new name will be completed before General Synod in…
Family is at the center of the Mormon faith. So when a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity does not conform to church teachings, the result is a crisis of faith. In this trailer, a Mormon family in California choose love as the essence of…
Jay Bakker is pastor of Revolution Church in New York City, the son of televangelist Jim Bakker, and an outspoken defender of LGBT inclusion in the church. He posted this video for the “Not All Like That” (NALT) Christians Project—a video platform for LGBT Christians…
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