The UCC defines Open and Affirming as follows (from the UCC Open and Affirming webpage):
“Open and Affirming” (ONA) is a movement of more than 1,800 churches and
other ministries in the United Church of Christ that welcome lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) members. More than 350,000
members of the UCC belong to ONA churches—and our movement is growing
rapidly.
After a time of study, dialogue and prayer, churches adopt an Open and Affirming “covenant” committing their members to welcome LGBTQ+ seekers, support their relationships, and advocate for their basic rights. All sacraments and rites of an ONA congregation are available to LGBTQ+ people, including baptism, confirmation, communion, and marriage. ONA churches take seriously the Bible’s admonition to “accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7, NIV)
During the Open and Affirming process, the OnA committee will make sure that every congregation member has an opportunity to express their hopes and/or concerns about becoming Open and Affirming. Just as we want LGBTQ+ people to feel safe in this church, we want everyone, regardless of their position for or against OnA to feel safe expressing themselves during this process. Please remember whenever you are talking about OnA, whether formally or informally, that there are church members who you love that have thoughts and feelings that differ from yours.
The phases of this process will include:
● One-on-one and group conversations about our hopes and concerns of becoming Open and Affirming.
● Education events and resources, both printed and online, to help answer the
congregation’s questions regarding OnA.
● Development of an OnA covenant for ECC.
● Definition of specific steps we will take as a church if we become Open and
Affirming. This will include how we will show the public that we are OnA, and
suggested changes or additions to church programs.