Review ONA Statement Guidelines

Below you will find sample Open and Affirming (ONA) statements from UCC churches around the country. (Additional statements are available, please see the resources on this site.)

Led by the Spirit, each congregation composes a statement that expresses its commitment to welcome lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons (people of all sexual orientations) -- along with heterosexuals -- into the full life and ministry of the church; this is the focus of Open and Affirming (based on the Open and Affirming action of the UCC General Synod, 1985).Today, recognizing the interrelatedness of sexual orientation and gender identity, The Coalition encourages congregations to include transgender persons (or those of all gender identities) in their ONA process and statements as well.

Many statements also clarify the church's welcome to people in regard to other characteristics e.g., color, age, ability, etc. Most often, churches write and adopt a distinct statement on Open and Affirming, but some include this commitment as part of their Mission Statement, Bylaws etc.

For more information, please see the "Guidelines for ONA Statements" also posted on this website or contact the UCC Coalition's program staff.

Statements are included from:

• Old South Church, United Church of Christ, Boston, MA
• United Church of Christ of St. Augustine, Florida
• First Congegational Church, UCC, Fort Worth, TX
• Grace UCC, Flemington, NJ
• Eggertsville United Church of Christ, Buffalo, NY

The Old South Church in Boston, in the name of its host, Jesus Christ, and in the spirit of Christ's invitation carved into the stone of this church's portico, "Behold I Set Before You an Open Door," welcomes all who seek to know God.

Following the One who we believe is Sovereign and Savior, we affirm that each individual is a child of God, and recognize that we are called to be like one body with many members, seeking with others of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to journey together toward the promised realm of God.

We invite everyone to join in the common life and mission of our reconciling community through participation and leadership in this congregation, and by fully sharing in the worship, rites and sacraments of this church.

As we all move forward with the work of this church, we commit ourselves to making justice and inclusivity a reality in this congregation and in the world. On the threshold of Christ's open door, we rely upon the healing, unconditional nature of God's love and grace to be our help and guide.

We believe all persons are created in the image of a loving God, who not only creates but also embodies, embraces and celebrates diversity. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to restore justice wherever God’s creation is broken or divided.

We acknowledge that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons have long been excluded, rejected and dishonored by the Church. This practice, often implicitly condoned by silence, continues today. While persons of minority sexual orientations have historically been part of faith communities, many, out of fear or rejection, have been unable to live openly the fullness of their lives. Others have left or never joined a church.

We also recognize that other marginalized people have been excluded. When any person’s opportunity for spiritual growth and worship is limited by injustice, our own growth is restricted and our worship diminished. We celebrate that this congregation has been a welcoming community of faith and now wish to make our welcome explicit for all.  Therefore:

We invite people of every race, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ability, financial means, ethnic and spiritual background into the full life and ministry of this congregation.

As one expression of this invitation we publicly declare the
United Church of Christ of St. Augustine, Florida,
to be an “Open and Affirming” congregation of the United Church of Christ.

Our declaration is a “living response” to Jesus’ prayer “that they may all be one.”

We affirm and celebrate all loving and committed relationships.

With God’s help, we will challenge injustice based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

We stand in affirmation of the United Church of Christ’s General Synod 15’s resolution (adopted July 2, 1985), “Calling on United Church of Christ congregations to covenant as open and affirming.”

We, the congregation of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fort Worth, declare ourselves to be Open and Affirming.  We strive to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of sexual orientation, gender and its expression, marital status, age, mental and physical health and ability, racial and cultural identity or background, and educational and socioeconomic status.  We welcome all to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our congregation's life in Christ.

Grace UCC, a church without barriers to God, is a welcoming, inclusive, open and affirming congregation, rooted in the ministry of Jesus Christ.  Jesus teaches us to welcome all God’s children into God’s covenantal community.   In the spirit of Paul’s words in Galatians we recognize, celebrate, and give thanks for the diversity in which God has created us, each in the image and likeness of God and loved and embraced by God.  We welcome into full community our gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender sisters and brothers.  As we live out our mission of “serving justice, loving kindness” we invite all, regardless of sexual orientation, to join us in hearing Jesus’ call to share God’s love through full participation in the life, ministry, and witness of our church.  We acknowledge that discrimination of any kind is incompatible with Christ’s example and gospel of unconditional love.  Following Jesus’ example we hereby declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming Church.  No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

We, the members of Eggertsville UCC, believe that all people are created in God’s image and thus are loved and blessed equally by God. Thus, on March 30, 2008, a unanimous vote by the congregation was taken to become an Open and Affirming congregation in the United Church of Christ.

We take seriously the scriptures which command us “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." Jesus said, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live." (Luke 10:25-28).

We invite and welcome into our community persons of every gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability, age, race, nationality, economic and social status, faith background, marital standing and family structure.

In our community of faith all people are encouraged to participate and share their talents and energy in worship and sacraments, leadership positions, ordained ministry, lay ministry, learning, service, mission and fellowship.

Therefore, no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome in this United Church of Christ.