You shall not mistreat or oppress the stranger who lives among you, for you were once strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21)

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)

Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)

For Christ, having received, not one or two of us, but all together, has thus connected us, so that we ought to cherish one another.” (John Calvin)

‘All Are Welcome’ isn’t enough

LGBTQ+* people of faith often experience emotional and spiritual injury in churches that condemn their capacity to love and seek love. Because they’ve learned that “All Are Welcome” usually doesn’t apply to them, they can’t assume that any church will be safe for them and their families.

A public welcome by an Open and Affirming (ONA) church sends a clear message to LGBTQ+ seekers that they have a home in the United Church of Christ.

A congregation’s affirmation and support through an ONA covenant can be a life-changing and life-saving experience—especially for LGBTQ+ youth and LGBTQ+ seniors.

A public welcome to LGBTQ+ seekers helps churches grow. When ONA congregations attract new members, many of them are young straight couples starting new families: they identify with the values ONA represents, and want their children to learn the faith in a welcoming church.

By adopting an ONA covenant, a congregation is taking seriously St. Paul’s admonition to “accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7, NIV)

* LGBTQ+ is a shorthand for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.” The word “queer” has often been adopted by people who don’t want to be constrained by the identities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, especially young people whose gender identity is “nonbinary.” The plus symbol reflects the diversity of sexual and gender identities in the human family.