Dear Friend,

As we arrive at the final day of the year, I want to pause with gratitude—and share just a glimpse of what your support made possible in 2025. These are not all the stories, but they are some of the moments that mattered most.

This was a year of growth, public witness, and courageous movement for the Open and Affirming Coalition.

OPEN AND AFFIRMING CHURCHES
• Certified 40 new Open and Affirming churches in 2025
• First church certified this year: First Christian Congregational Church (FCCC), Swansea, MA
• Last church certified this year: Second First Church, Rockford, IL
• Nearly 1,950 Open and Affirming churches nationwide, each with a public covenant of welcome and affirmation

AFFIRMING TRANS LIVES IS HOLY
• Launched the Affirming Trans Lives Is Holy campaign in response to escalating attacks on trans people and the erasure of trans history
• Named clearly what our faith teaches: trans lives are sacred, holy, and worthy of protection.  Read more: https://openandaffirming.org/erasing-trans-history/

INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP AND PUBLIC WITNESS
• Helped found the Lavender Interfaith Collective (LInC), a multifaith network of LGBTIQ+ and allied faith leaders committed to intersectional justice, shared resilience, and resistance. Learn more about LInC: https://lincollective.org/

• Hosted a Transgender Day of Visibility virtual panel for LInC, “Beyond Visibility — The Power of Love in Defending Transgender Lives,” centering faith-based resistance and affirmation
• Participated in an ecumenical LGBTQ+ faith partners retreat in October, strengthening collaboration and shared strategy across traditions

• Participated in WorldPride 2025 in Washington, DC, representing Open and Affirming churches at multiple events
• Hosted a shared booth along the WorldPride parade route in partnership with Alliance Q (Disciples of Christ), helping people connect with affirming faith communities in their own regions.  You can see the WorldPride resource card we shared to help people find an Open and Affirming church here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17v4JCfiwH/

FAITH IN ACTION AND MOVEMENT LEADERSHIP
• Helped organize and participated in a Holy Week public witness on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol with over 70 participants from across the country
• Spoke out against the criminalization of trans and nonbinary people, the violent treatment of immigrants, attacks on healthcare and safety nets, and the abuse of power
• Participated in the National Trans Day of Visibility March in Washington, DC, offering a sacred text written for the moment
• Read the sacred text: https://openandaffirming.org/national-trans-day-of-visibility-sacred-text/

EDUCATION, VISIBILITY, AND CHURCH LEADERSHIP
• Hosted a powerful Annual Gathering in Kansas City, Missouri, just ahead of the United Church of Christ General Synod
• Presented at the Horizons on Aging Summit on LGBTQ+ resilience and wellness
• Participated in the 35th General Synod in Kansas City with a Coalition booth, hosted a free BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) gathering space for attendees, hosted a powerful, sold-out Open and Affirming Coalition gala banquet, and shared a message with the Synod marking the 40th anniversary of the Open and Affirming General Synod resolution. Watch the Synod address here:
https://openandaffirming.org/40-years-of-open-and-affirming-from-resolution-to-revolution/
• Addressed conference annual meetings across the country, including the Southeast Conference (speaker and workshop leader), the New Hampshire Conference (keynote speaker), and the Living Waters Association of the Heartland Conference (keynote speaker)

• Attended the GatewayONA annual Convocation in St. Louis, MO

A STRONG FINISH TO THE YEAR
• Successfully met and exceeded our $10,000 matching grant goal for The Beloved Fund and unlocked a $20,000 matching grant!!!!
• Raised more than $12,000 so far to strengthen training, advocacy, crisis response, and accompaniment for churches and communities facing increasing pressure and risk.  You can check our progress here: https://openandaffirming.networkforgood.com/projects/265515-the-beloved-fund-2-for-1matching-grant

None of this happened by accident. It happened because people like you chose to stay connected, invest in shared work, and believe that affirmation is not symbolic—it is life-saving.

Thank you for helping us reach this goal. Thank you for sustaining this movement. And thank you for standing with LGBTQ+ people and affirming churches at a moment when courage matters deeply.

In solidarity and shared purpose,

Rev. Derek Terry
Acting Executive Director
Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ

On this third day of Christmas, we are still lingering in the glow of the manger. Advent has given way to Christmas, and we are slowly making our way toward Epiphany—the season when the light keeps building, even if the nights still feel long.

This year has been hard.

Many of us are tired in ways that feel deeper than exhaustion. We are watching harmful legislation move forward, listening to cruel rhetoric grow louder, and bracing ourselves for what the coming year may bring—especially for transgender and gender-expansive people, immigrant communities, and all who already live close to the margins. With the passage of the “Big Ugly Bill,” rising insurance costs, renewed attacks on gender-affirming care, and expanded enforcement powers for I.C.E. expected to take effect in 2026, fear feels closer to the surface for so many families. These are not abstract policy debates—they are questions about safety, healthcare, stability, and belonging.

And still, Christmas comes anyway.

As a child, my Christmas lists were filled with things I wanted and hoped for—small joys, simple delights. But this year, my Christmas list looks different. It’s a grown-up Christmas list. A faithful one. A list shaped by love for God’s people and concern for the world we are living in.

This year, my Christmas list includes churches brave enough to speak clearly when silence would be easier. It includes sanctuaries where LGBTQ+ people—especially trans and gender-expansive people—are not just welcomed, but affirmed, protected, and named as beloved by God. It includes pastors and lay leaders equipped with theology that heals rather than harms. It includes families finding courage because their church stood with them when the world did not.

My Christmas list includes Open and Affirming churches doing more than symbolic inclusion—churches practicing courage, education, accompaniment, and advocacy. Churches willing to say out loud and without apology: you are beloved, your life matters, and God is not confused about you.

These churches are necessary.

They are necessary for young people navigating fear and misinformation. They are necessary for parents searching for safety and truth. They are necessary in communities where compassion is being criminalized and care is being politicized. And they are necessary in a time when too many churches are being pulled toward exclusion rather than transformation.

This is why the work of the Open and Affirming Coalition matters so deeply right now. And it continues only because people like you believe that affirmation is not optional—it is holy.

As we move through Christmas toward Epiphany, the light is building. But light needs tending. It needs fuel. It needs people willing to help carry it forward.

Through December 31, your gift to The Beloved Fund will be tripled through our 2-for-1 matching grant. Every contribution strengthens the coaching, education, advocacy, and resources that help churches live out their calling with clarity and courage in fearful times.

You can give here:
https://openandaffirming.networkforgood.com/projects/265515-the-beloved-fund-2-for-1matching-grant

Another powerful way to support this work is by becoming a Sustainer through Faithful Resistance: The Sustainers Circle. Monthly giving—at any level—provides steady, reliable support that allows the Coalition to plan ahead, respond quickly, and remain present where affirmation is costly but life-giving. Even a sustaining gift of $5, $20, or $50 a month helps ensure that Open and Affirming churches continue to be places of refuge, resistance, and radiant love in the year ahead.

You can join the Sustainers Circle here:
https://openandaffirming.networkforgood.com/projects/264217-faithful-resistance-the-sustainers-circle

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Thank you for believing that love still matters. Thank you for helping the light grow—even when the world feels fragile.

With gratitude, hope, and resolve,

Rev. Derek Terry
Acting Executive Director
Open and Affirming Coalition of the UCC

Back in July, while many of us were at the United Church of Christ’s General Synod in Kansas City, Missouri, I delivered a speech to mark an important milestone: the 40th anniversary of the Open and Affirming movement. What began as a courageous declaration of affirmation four decades ago has become one of the most transformative faith movements in the world. Today, nearly 1,950 congregations have publicly committed to affirming the dignity, worth, and belovedness of LGBTQ+ people.

Whether you are a pastor, a lay leader, a lifelong church member, or someone who supports this work from the pews or beyond, you are part of this powerful, justice-seeking movement.

As hostility rises across the country, LGBTQ+ people—especially trans and nonbinary youth—are facing unprecedented attacks. Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are being dismantled. Laws restricting our rights and our bodies are spreading. Many national LGBTQ+ organizations have withdrawn from entire regions, leaving local churches and ministries to fill enormous gaps.

When someone reaches out seeking help, hope, or an affirming place to land, they are not only calling your local church— they are calling on ALL OF US, together! 

That is why, as we approach the end of the year, I invite you to support the Open and Affirming Coalition with a special year-end gift—and to prayerfully consider joining the forms of ongoing support that sustain this movement.

The mission of the Coalition is simple: to strengthen, equip, and support churches and leaders who embody God’s inclusive love.

With a small staff and a modest budget, we work every day to:

• coach congregations and conferences beginning or deepening their affirming journey
• train pastors, leaders, and teams to meet this moment with courage and clarity
• create and share resources grounded in Scripture, justice, and liberation
• stand with churches facing backlash for their public welcome
• defend LGBTQ+ inclusion across the wider church and public square

We cannot sustain this work without your partnership.
As you consider your end-of-year giving—whether as an individual or a congregation—here are three ways you can support the movement:

1. Individuals: Join the Sustaining Circle

Members of the Sustaining Circle commit to a monthly gift that provides steady, year-round support. Monthly giving helps us plan ahead, respond quickly to urgent needs, and build the long-term resilience our movement needs.  Click here to join!

2. Congregations: Become a Sustaining Church

Sustaining Churches commit to giving once or twice per year—typically in June and/or December—and some give more often as they are able. These anchor gifts allow us to continue offering coaching, training, resources, and support at low or no cost to the churches that need us most.

We also encourage your congregation to remember the Coalition in your annual budget, and to include us in your bulletin, newsletter, and website as a ministry your church supports.

Becoming a Sustaining Church is simple: fill out this brief form, and we will add your congregation to the growing list of churches committed to supporting this work. A suggested gift is at least $1 per active member a few times a year—though many congregations give more as they are able. Whatever your church can contribute makes a real and lasting difference.

If your congregation has a grant, mission, or gift program for ministries like ours, please let us know how we can apply. Every avenue of support strengthens this movement and equips us to serve more churches across the United Church of Christ.

3. Give through our 2-for-1 Matching Grant

We are excited to share that the Coalition has received a 2-for-1 matching grant: for every dollar donated, a generous supporter will give two dollars, up to a total of $10,000 raised. If our community contributes $10,000, the donor will add $20,000—providing $30,000 to strengthen this movement!

Because this is a 2-for-1 match, every gift is tripled.
A gift of $25 becomes $75.
A gift of $100 becomes $300.
A gift of $1,000 becomes $3,000.

This matching grant multiplies the impact of every contribution and directly fuels the coaching, training, resources, and support that churches across the country depend on.

Click Here to Donate to help us unlock this sustaining Grant.

Every contribution—large or small—strengthens the ministry that strengthens all of us.

Will you join us?
Will you help sustain a movement grounded in God’s radical welcome, justice, and love?

When fear rises, Open and Affirming ministries rise higher.
When marginalized people are pushed aside, we open our doors wider.
When the world tells LGBTQ+ people they are less than, we declare what God has already named them: beloved.

Thank you for your witness.
Thank you for your courage.
Thank you for your leadership, your prayers, and your generosity.

With deep gratitude and hope,

Rev. Derek A. Terry, Acting Executive Director

The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ

Feel free to share these graphics and links on your social media to help us expand our impact!

Heres the link to share about the Sustainers Circle: https://openandaffirming.networkforgood.com/projects/264217-faithful-resistance-the-sustainers-circle

Here is the link to sign your church up to be a sustaining church: https://openandaffirming.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/open-and-affirming-coalition-sustaining-church-form

Here is the link to give to the 2 for 1 matching grant: https://openandaffirming.networkforgood.com/projects/265515-the-beloved-fund-2-for-1matching-grant

Right now, as hatred and fear rise, the Open and Affirming Coalition continues to stand firm as a beacon of faithful resistance. This year has stretched us in every way. Our small team—just one full-time and two part-time staff—has carried a bold and vital ministry: showing up at World Pride in Washington, D.C.; hosting a powerful National Gathering; celebrating 40 years of the Open and Affirming program at the General Synod; supporting churches and conferences in their ONA journeys; and responding to the growing number of communities seeking guidance, training, and resources.

While some national LGBTQ+ organizations have pulled out of entire regions, ONA churches remain—rooted in Christ’s inclusive love and steadfast in the work of justice.

To keep showing up where we’re needed most, we’re launching Faithful Resistance: The Sustainers Circle with one bold goal:

Raise $2,000/month in sustaining support.

And this is absolutely within reach:
• 20 people giving $100/month
• 40 people giving $50/month
• 100 people giving $20/month
• 400 people giving $5/month

Every monthly gift—large or small—moves us closer.

And as a thank-you, anyone who gives $20/month or more will receive a free gift after 3 months of sustaining support.

Click here to Become a Monthly Sustainer! 

Your support helps us:
• Equip churches on their ONA journey
• Strengthen our national network
• Support ministries hurt by cuts to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion funding
• Keep ONA congregations shining as places of hope, safety, and belonging

Together, we can build a resistance that refuses hate and boldly declares that God’s love is for every body—no exceptions.

Join the Sustainers Circle today and help us reach our $2,000/month goal.

Let’s keep this movement alive and strong.

Rev. Derek Terry

Acting Executive Director
Open and Affirming Coalition
of the United Church of Christ

Click here to Become a Monthly Sustainer! 

Use this QR Code to Share this campaign with others

P.S. If a monthly gift isn’t possible right now, please know your presence and prayers still matter. You can Click Here to make a one-time donation or simply share this campaign to help us reach others who can give.

A Sacred Text for Trans Visibility
Written for the National Trans Visibility March Empowerment Service
By Rev. Derek A. Terry, Acting Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ

In the beginning, there was breath—holy and expansive—carried in every body, every voice, every form. And God said: You are enough. You are whole. You are mine.

To be visible is not a concession. It is a calling.
To be trans is not a burden. It is a blessing.
To live boldly in your truth is a sacred act of resistance, a mirror of the Divine who transcends all binaries and boundaries.

We gather today as people of faith, allies, and beloveds, to say:
Trans people are not an afterthought. You are not a side note in the story of liberation.
You are the movement. You are the miracle.

Your bodies are not up for debate. Your identities are not problems to be solved.
Your leadership is not optional—it is essential.

And in a world that legislates hate and erases truth,
we speak back with love, with fire, and with faith:
We see you.
We need you.
We honor you.
We follow you.

For the Spirit is moving through your courage.
Justice is marching in your name.
And the church, if it is to be the church at all, must stand with you—visible, loud, and unafraid.

Amen. Ashe. And so it is. 

As a Black Queer person, I celebrate Black History Month with intention. It is a time to honor our ancestors, recognize our resilience, and reflect on the struggles that Black communities continue to face. But let’s talk about something that doesn’t always get the spotlight—Black Joy. In a world that constantly tries to wear us down, joy is not an escape; it’s a tool, a declaration that we are still here, still thriving, and still worthy of love, laughter, and rest. And this isn’t just a Black thing—this is a lesson for anyone who has ever been marginalized, for anyone who has ever felt like the world was trying to erase them. Joy is resistance.

Why Black Joy Matters

Black joy is about more than just happiness—it’s about survival. In the face of racism, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, economic struggles, and the criminalization of our very existence, our ability to love, laugh, and rest is an act of defiance. This isn’t about pretending oppression doesn’t exist. It’s about refusing to let oppression define us.

Our ancestors sang through their pain, found laughter in the midst of struggle, and built communities where love thrived despite everything working against them. That spirit lives on today in the way we create music, gather in community, dance, and tell our stories.

What This Means for the LGBTQ+ Community and Other Marginalized Groups

If you’ve ever had your rights threatened, your identity challenged, or your safety compromised, you know that just existing can be exhausting. But joy—queer joy, immigrant joy, working-class joy, disabled joy—is fuel. It keeps us going when the world says we should give up.

When we consider the current realities facing our trans siblings—who are being targeted in ways that are deeply insidious and harmful—we know that their joy is under attack. From laws designed to erase their existence to barriers preventing access to gender-affirming care, the assault on trans people is relentless. That is why their joy is sacred. When trans folks find laughter, love, and celebration in the face of oppression, they send a powerful message: they will not be erased. We stand with them in that truth.

Building Communities of Joy and Resistance

Resistance isn’t just about marches and petitions—it’s also about creating spaces where joy can thrive. That means supporting Black and queer artists, uplifting trans voices, and ensuring that all marginalized communities have room to breathe, rest, and flourish. It means showing up for one another, protecting spaces where we can exist freely and fully, and making sure that our movements include not just justice, but also celebration.

Immigrants, people of color, disabled individuals, the poor, the unhoused, and those living at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities continue to face systemic oppression, racial profiling, deportation threats, and targeted hate. Many are denied basic human rights and dignity. Their struggles are deeply connected to our own, and their joy is just as powerful a form of resistance. We must stand in solidarity with them, ensuring that our collective movements amplify their voices, honor their stories, and uplift their fight for liberation. Joy unites us, reminding us that we are not alone and that our survival is a testament to our strength.

A Call to Joy

This Black History Month—and beyond—let’s make joy a priority. Let’s reclaim it, protect it, and share it. Let’s dance, laugh, and rest—not because we’re ignoring the struggle, but because we refuse to be consumed by it. The executive orders, the attempts to erase us from history, the attacks on our trans siblings—these are all designed to hinder, stifle, or even steal our joy. Don’t let them! We used to sing a song in church growing up:
“This Joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me! The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away!”

• To our Black siblings: Our joy has always been a revolutionary force.
• To our LGBTQ+ siblings: Our love and laughter are acts of defiance.
• To our trans siblings: Your joy is sacred and essential, and we will work to help you secure and protect it.
• To our immigrant siblings: Your joy is powerful, necessary, and worthy of celebration. We stand with you, support you, and uplift your right to thrive.
• To all people of color facing oppression: Your joy is resistance. It is vital, it is sacred, and it cannot be erased. We see you, we celebrate you, and we stand with you.

To everyone trying to exist in a world that tells them they shouldn’t—claim your joy. Celebrate yourself, your identity, and one another in the struggle. Because joy is not just resistance—it is the foundation of our liberation! 

Let that sink in.

The national monument that honors the Stonewall Uprising—the very birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement—has been rewritten to exclude the trans and queer people who led the fight. This is not just an oversight. This is a deliberate and cruel attempt to whitewash history, to push trans people back into the shadows, and to fuel the culture wars of an administration that thrives on hate.

But history is not up for debate.

Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, and so many other trans and gender-expansive people were the ones who put their bodies on the line at Stonewall. Their courage ignited a movement that has shaped LGBTQ+ rights in this country for over five decades. And yet, this administration wants to pretend they never existed. Without them, there is no Pride, no LGBTQ+ rights, no Stonewall history to honor at all.

And now, the government wants to pretend they never existed.

Erasing letters from a government website doesn’t change the truth. It does, however, send a dangerous message to trans youth, to our communities, and to the world: that our lives, our stories, and our contributions don’t matter. But we know better.

As people of faith, we have a moral obligation to resist.

If the government will not tell the truth, then our churches must. If the government will not protect trans and queer people, then we must go out of our way to create safe and brave spaces for all of God’s people. If the government will try to erase us, then we must show up louder, prouder, and more determined than ever.

Here’s what you can do:

• Call it out. Tell your community what’s happening. Speak truth in the face of lies.
• Take action. Show up to protests, sign petitions, and demand that the full history of Stonewall is restored.
• Make your church a true refuge. Advocate for trans inclusion, fight for justice, and be a beacon of love.

Stonewall was a rebellion. Stonewall was a fight. And we are still fighting.

#NoLGBWithoutTheT
#TransPeopleBelong
#StonewallWasATransRiot

In a world where policies and rhetoric are increasingly aimed at erasing the existence of transgender and nonbinary people, the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ stands resolute in its commitment to affirming the dignity, worth, and sacredness of every individual. The recent executive order denying the existence of trans and nonbinary Americans is not only a legal and political assault but a moral and spiritual one. It challenges the very fabric of what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves.

As Christians, we are called to stand against systems of oppression and to live out the radical, inclusive love of Christ. Our faith teaches us that all people are created in the image of God—beautiful, diverse, and worthy of love. Denying someone’s identity is denying the divine imprint on their lives.

To Our Trans and Nonbinary Siblings:

We see you. We love you. We affirm you.

You are not alone in this fight. Your existence is holy, and your truth is powerful. The attacks on your identity are unjust and cruel, but we are here to stand with you. You belong in our churches, in our communities, and in every space where love and justice are proclaimed. You are essential, and your lives are sacred. We will continue to fight alongside you for a world where you are not merely tolerated but celebrated.

To Our Churches:

Now is the time to live out our faith boldly. The Gospel compels us to act in the face of injustice and to create spaces where love and inclusion reign. As Open and Affirming churches, we are called to be sanctuaries for all people, especially those who are marginalized.

Let us recommit ourselves to being both safe and brave spaces for trans and nonbinary people. Safe spaces are where individuals are free from harm, and brave spaces are where their truths can be spoken, affirmed, and celebrated. This is the work of the Church—to embody Christ’s love in ways that are transformative and liberating.

Why This Matters:

The recent actions of the federal government are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader strategy to strip away the rights and humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender and nonbinary people. These policies not only endanger lives but also undermine the core values of justice, equality, and compassion that should guide our nation.

We must speak truth to power and stand in solidarity with those who are being targeted. Trans and nonbinary people have always existed and will always exist. Their lives are a testament to resilience and the boundless diversity of God’s creation.

A Call to Action:

To our allies and church communities: this is your moment to act. Use your platforms, your voices, and your resources to make it known that trans and nonbinary people are loved and affirmed. Share messages of solidarity. Challenge harmful narratives. Advocate for policies that protect and uplift trans lives.

We invite you to share this message and the graphic accompanying it on your social media platforms. Let the world know that your faith compels you to stand for justice, inclusion, and love.

Together, we can build a world where everyone, regardless of gender identity, is embraced as a beloved child of God. Let us rise to this moment with courage, compassion, and unwavering faith.

Repost this graphic to show your solidarity and remind the world that our faith compels us to affirm that trans and nonbinary people are sacred, loved, and here to stay.

As we move through the days after Thanksgiving, many of us are still reflecting on moments shared around tables, on couches, or even comfortably on floors surrounded by food and loved ones. Let us continue to celebrate the rich tapestry of our community, woven with diverse threads of culture, belief, identity, and expression. Let us give thanks for the abundance in our lives—the relationships, experiences, and blessings that sustain us.

Yet, as we pause in gratitude, let us also remember those who are struggling—those who face empty plates, lonely hearts, or the burdens of systemic injustices and oppression. May our hearts remain open to their needs, and may our hands be ready to extend compassion and support. Thanksgiving reminds us of the abundance in our lives while also calling us to embody God’s vision of justice, love, and equity for all—a vision that leads us into the sacred season of Advent, beginning this Sunday.

Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation, a time filled with hope and the promise of what is to come. As we prepare to light the first candle of Advent, we will be reminded that God’s light is already breaking into the world, bringing hope even to the darkest places.

As we prepare for this holy season, let us renew our commitment to caring for God’s creation and celebrating the radical love that connects us all—person to person, community to community, and humanity to all of creation.

May this Thanksgiving weekend not only fill you with joy and gratitude but also inspire you with a renewed sense of purpose as we enter Advent. Together, let us prepare our hearts and lives for the hope, peace, joy, and love that Christ brings into the world.

In Gratitude and Hope,
Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh, Executive Director

TheOpen and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ