ONA Sunday Ideas and Resources

Each year, the fourth Sunday in January is designated as "International Welcoming Church Sunday." This is a time when congregations in many different denominations all celebrate our commitment to diversity – and in particular to affirming God's love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

We encourage you to find ways to celebrate ONA Sunday in all areas of your congregation's life.

Include a special bulletin insert.
Use scripture, prayer, music, dance, and liturgy to highlight your commitment.
Discuss your ONA commitment during a sermon.
Re-affirming your church's historic ONA statement by reading it in unison during worship.
Take up a special mission offering to support the UCC Coalition.
Write a letter for your church newsletter.
Celebrate with a colorful ONA anniversary cake.
Revisit your ONA statement to make sure it includes gender identity and gender expression (transgender).
Consider what steps might be helpful to reinvigorate or extend your commitment to the LGBT community. For instance, is there a local LGBT community center you should be supporting through mission funds?
Reach out to another local congregation that might be considering the ONA process.

UCC Coalition Resources

A Place in God's Heart, A Place at Christ's Table contains litanies, liturgies, prayers, music, confessions, affirmations of faith, and more!

Two hymns by Brian Wren that were commissioned for The Coalition are available in PDF format for use by any ONA congregation.

Written by David Lohman, this hymn was dedicated to Rev. Ann B. Day and Donna Enberg in honor and and celebration for leadership with and through the Coalition's ONA program. It is available in three versions (congregational, piano score, and choral).

More Ecumenical Resources for 2009 Welcoming Sunday