WE ARE AN OPEN AND AFFIRMING (ONA) CONGREGATION OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

WHAT IS AN ONA CHURCH?

“Open and Affirming” (ONA) is a movement of more than 1,500 churches and other ministries in the United Church of Christ that welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) members.

"Everyone is Welcome..." WHY WE BECAME AN ONA CHURCH

LGBTQ persons are so accustomed to being the exception to that stated “everyone” that they and their loved ones must overcome a tremendous barrier to take a chance on being open to a church. A statement lessens that barrier. Intense debate about the place of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming people in our society has occurred for many years. Widespread discrimination and hostility continues. Amid this, many Christian churches proclaim that homosexuality is sinful. Not all Christians agree. Many Christians believe that persons of all sexual orientations are part of God’s good gift.

OUR COVENANT

The people of God at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, affirm our regard for the worth and dignity of all persons as Beloved Children of God. We recognize, celebrate, and give thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. We declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation, welcoming into full membership and participation in the Body of Christ persons of every race, language, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, and economic status.

 

We acknowledge that throughout history, the Christian church has often condemned and excluded gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and non-heteronormative people from the community of faith, or has condoned such condemnation and exclusion by its silence. We hold that such discrimination is incompatible with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

We commit ourselves to work diligently to end all oppression and discrimination that afflict God’s people in our society. We commit ourselves to nondiscrimination in the full life, ministry, and sacraments of this church, including membership, leadership, and employment practices. We will condemn all acts of harassment, discrimination, and violence against God’s people. We will seek to include and support those, who, because of fear and prejudice, find themselves in exile from a spiritual community. We affirm all relationships founded on the principles of God’s love and justice. We pledge ourselves to be a wellspring of faith for a diverse people.

ABOUT OUR COVENANT

On May 18, 2003, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ declared itself an Open and Affirming congregation, after a period of prayer, study, and conversation. On May 20, 2018 we reaffirmed our Covenant at our 15th year ONA celebration. With this reaffirmation,  we updated terminology that has changed over the past 15 years since St. Paul's UCC became Open and Affirming.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPEN AND AFFIRMING COALITION OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, HEAD TO THEIR WEBSITE.