ON GIVING TUESDAY HELP US CELEBRATE ONE OF OUR NEWEST OPEN AND AFFIRMING CHURCHES!
By UCC Coalition | December 3, 2024
Welcoming Faith UCC: A New Light in the Open and Affirming Movement
We are delighted to welcome Faith United Church of Christ in Hazleton, PA, as one of the newest Open and Affirming Congregations! Faith UCC lives out their inspiring motto: “Our faith is over 2,000 years old… our thinking is not!” This bold commitment to timeless faith paired with inclusive love reflects the heart of the Open and Affirming movement. Faith UCC now joins a growing family of churches offering safe, brave spaces where everyone is embraced with dignity, affirmation, and belonging.
Advent is a time to reflect on the coming of God’s light into the world—a season filled with hope, anticipation, and the promise of transformation. Faith UCC’s decision to become an Open and Affirming church reminds us of this light breaking into the darkness. Their journey reflects the essence of the Advent season; we are called to consider how we can bring more light into the world through the Open and Affirming movement.
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to celebrate Faith UCC and support the Justice 100 campaign, which fuels the vital work of expanding the Open and Affirming movement. Currently, only about 40% of UCC congregations are Open and Affirming. Through Justice 100, we’re working toward the bold goal of 100% ONA churches across the United Church of Christ. Justice 100 supports congregations on their journey to inclusivity and justice by providing resources, guidance, and advocacy to help them become Open and Affirming churches.
Through Justice 100, we’re forming teams of people committed to giving or raising $1,000 for this vital campaign. Every donation makes a difference, and gifts of $100 match our goal of 100% ONA Churches. As a special thank you, the first 80 people who donate at least $100 will receive a free gift from the Coalition valued at $25.
The ONA movement is about creating a church that embodies God’s radical love and affirmation for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or background. Your generosity helps empower congregations like Faith UCC to offer safe spaces of belonging, hope, and affirmation. Together, we can bring more light into the world, one church and one community at a time. Thank you for being part of this life-giving work.
Join the movement or donate today: OpenandAffirming.org/Justice100
The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ
