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…
This page is devoted to images of vigils, prayer services and public rainbow displays in response to the Orlando Massacre. From California to Maine, Minnesota to Florida, ONA congregations responded with grief, prayer, and re-commitment to the values of inclusion, justice and reconciliation that are…
CLEVELAND, Oct. 26, 2015—In a joint statement, the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ and the UCC Collegium of Officers urged congregations to join local observances of Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20 and to renew their commitment the following…
Letter from the Open and Affirming Ministry Team Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ September 24, 2015 Dear Open and Affirming Community, Churches living into their open and affirming statements are saving lives. Communities who throw their doors open and say, “Really, we mean it,…
‘I will make my covenant between me and you.’ (Gen. 17:2 NRSV) An Open and Affirming covenant is more than a statement, policy, declaration or an amendment to a congregation’s by-laws. In the UCC’s Reformed tradition, a covenant is an act of faith, a solemn…
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