News and Events

In June of 2019, the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities preached at United Church of Christ in New Brighton, MN (ONA church 131) as they celebrated 25 years of being Open and Affirming. As part of our recognition…

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The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ celebrates with LGBTQ Americans throughout the country today’s victory in the Supreme Court. In the past three and a half years, the Trump Administration has sought to erase every freedom the LGBTQ community has…

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June 3, 2020 Dear Open and Affirming family: The Leadership Team and staff of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ have been saddened, angered, but unfortunately not shocked to witness, along with the rest of the country, the deaths of…

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Join the Coalition in celebrating these three new ONA churches certified in 2018: Standish Congregational Church UCC in Standish, ME (ONA #1509), First Church of Christ in Unionville, CT (ONA #1510), and First Congregational Church in Huntley, IL (ONA #1511)!

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We’re resuming our daily welcome of new ONA churches certified in 2018 and 2019! Today we welcome three: First UCC in Cincinnati (ONA #1506), First Congregational UCC in Cedar Rapids, IA (ONA #1507), and Church of Christ Congregational UCC in Millis, MA (ONA #1508)!

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Protect Every Family Statement from the United Church of Christ on Laws Allowing Adoption Agencies to Discriminate Against Same-Sex Couples and Transgender Parents In Oklahoma, Gov. Mary Fallin has signed a law that allows state-funded adoption agencies to turn away lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender…

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This commentary was published Aug. 26, 2018, in “Witness for Justice,” a weekly opinion column distributed by the United Church of Christ Justice and Local Ministries. By Andy Lang I’m sometimes asked why there are 1,500 Open and Affirming (ONA) congregations in the United Church…

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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…

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  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…

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