The Basics
Open and Affirming is the way many in the United Church of Christ (UCC) declare their welcome and inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons into the full life of the church.
The message of love and compassion, justice and peace are at the very core of the life and ministry of Jesus. Open and Affirming (ONA) ministries and resources are rooted in that Gospel message. The testimonies of these ministries proclaim the truth of God's power to transform cultures of hate and violence into communities of healing and reconciliation. They give witness to the ways in which the gifts of God are being liberated for service in the world.
Spreading the Joy
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is not organized in a hierarchical way, so we are not a doctrinal church. The local church is the basic unit of mission, and has the basic freedom to determine its own mission in light of God's call.
This means there is much diversity among members, local churches and other settings of the UCC on "Open and Affirming" LGBT concerns. The work of the national setting of the UCC is guided by the significant body of social policies adopted by the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, the representative decision making body of the national setting.
Local Action
At the 2004 Annual Meeting, the congregation of The United Church of Christ - Cedar Falls ratified language making our local church part of the national "Open and Affirming" movement within the UCC.
We continue to work to develop active ministries embracing the needs and concerns of the LGBT population of our community, and we are proud supporters of our LGBT members.