God's Extravagant Welcome
The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns

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Strategic Planning: The 2013 Horizon

Definitions and Deadlines for Dreams

Gwen Thomas

It’s been said many ways. “Walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” “Put your money where your mouth is.” “Practice what you preach.” Each of these colorful expressions, in my never-to-be-humble opinion, all amount to the same thing. I other words, it means living out your creed in deeds. The scriptures remind us to be “doers of the word, not hearers only” (James 1:22).

There is certainly a point that one’s credibility speaks louder than one’s intentions. Thanks be to God for decades of words in action for the UCC Coalition and the denomination we love and are a partner to. This organization sprang forth out of the United Church of Christ’s commitment to make a public declaration of welcome and affirmation to LGBT people. Pioneers of the Coalition gave shape to extravagant welcome. This year we celebrate 25 years of the Open and Affirming movement. I describe it as a movement because it is more than programs and ideas we implement; it is a model and method that has been replicated and raised as a standard among thousands of people and several different denominations and faith-based organizations.

In this 25th year and beyond, I believe we are called out to be a greater witness. We have the foundation and institutional knowledge necessary to move into new territory. We are equipped to navigate deeper waters of advocacy and activism. This past year of transition has put us in the perfect position to re-invent ourselves based on what we know about our strengths and challenges. We have an opportunity to create a new vision to shape and form and share with the world, just as our founders did before us. But, visioning alone does not bring ideas into reality. A vision is merely a pipedream without definition and deadlines for actions.

So, friends and family, I am pleased to share with you the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns’ Strategic Plan. A plan with immediate action steps as well as long-term goals and visions. It is our commitment to live into and up to the ideals and values embodied in this text. It is your right and responsibility as our beloved community to check us and challenge us, in order to hold the organization accountable for matching our deeds to our creeds.

This plan speaks of intentionality to be more obviously inclusive to transgendered brothers and sisters. It is clear about greater support for social-justice issues and collective work to address political wrongs. We intend to do the real work of being culturally competent and culturally responsive—and all these things will be done as we focus on internal processes and capacity-building. Thank you in advance for your prayers and your continued support in time, talent, and treasure.

Yours in community and in Christ,

Gwen Thomas
Interim Executive Director

UCC Coalition Strategic Plan: 2010–2013

Some key points from the strategic plan are included here as an overall summary. To read the full strategic plan, including background material and detailed descriptions, please refer to the full PDF document at ucccoalition.org/fileadmin/news/Coalition_Strategic_Plan.pdf.

Mission

The Coalition is dedicated to living into Christ’s call for love and justice by working to transform the United Church of Christ, Christianity, and society into an expression of God’s extravagant welcome, especially for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and others who have felt excluded and alienated.

Vision

The UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns envisions a church, and a world, in which no matter who a person is, or where they are on life’s journey, they are extravagantly welcomed. In partnership with others within and beyond the United Church of Christ, the Coalition is committed to building beloved community where diverse people join together to worship, grow, and dream.

To read more about the mission and vision statements, please refer to the full strategic plan document available online in PDF form at ucccoalition.org/fileadmin/news/Coalition_Strategic_Plan.pdf.

Guiding Values

The UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns’ work is guided by the following core values

  1. Extravagant Welcome
  2. Transformation
  3. Equality and Justice
  4. Pastoral Presence
  5. Courage
  6. Compassion and Empathy
  7. Humility and Accountability

To read more detailed descriptions of the Guiding Values, please refer to the full strategic plan document available online in PDF form at ucccoalition.org/fileadmin/news/Coalition_Strategic_Plan.pdf.

Strategic Organizing Criteria

In executing the work of this plan, the following Strategic Criteria will guide the Coalition’s work.

1 . The Coalition will articulate and disseminate a transformative worldview.

2 . The Coalition will analyze and distinguish policy and cultural issues.

3 . In the ONA program, the Coalition will attend to local congregations that are at different points in the ONA journey.

4 . The Coalition will communicate its plans and actions with its stakeholders in a proactive fashion.

To read more detailed explanations of the Strategic Organizing Criteria, please refer to the full strategic plan document available online in PDF form at ucccoalition.org/fileadmin/news/Coalition_Strategic_Plan.pdf.

Strategic Directions

The following Strategic Directions will guide the UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns' work and priorities over the next three years.

  1. National Gathering
  2. Increase intentional partnership with denomination staff to deepen the connection between the ONA project and the denomination’s focus on extravagant welcome to help bring ONA to scale.
  3. Support LGBT and questioning youth.
  4. Support current ONA congregations to fully live into extravagant welcome.
  5. Transgender inclusion in new ONA congregational statements and support for current ONA congregations to live into the fullness of extravagant welcome.
  6. Extend extravagant welcome to the broader community.
  7. Enhance the Coalition’s organizational effectiveness and sustainability.

To read more detailed explanations of the Strategic Directions, please refer to the full strategic plan document available online in PDF form at ucccoalition.org/fileadmin/news/Coalition_Strategic_Plan.pdf.
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