Review ONA Statement Guidelines

Below you will find sample Open and Affirming (ONA) statements from UCC churches around the country.

Led by the Spirit, each congregation composes a statement that expresses its commitment to welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons (people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions) -- along with heterosexuals -- into the full life and ministry of the church; this is the focus of Open and Affirming (reflecting the Open and Affirming action of the UCC General Synod, 1985, as well as the Transgender action of the UCC General Synod, 2003).

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:

• Plainfield Congregational United Church of Christ, Plainfield, IL
• Old South Church, United Church of Christ, Boston, MA
• Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Rocky Hill, CT
• Grace Immanuel UCC, Louisville, KY
• Congregational Church of Faribault - United Church of Christ, Faribault, MN
• Phoenix United Church of Christ, Tonawanda, NY
• Hope United, Georgetown, TX

We, the people of the Plainfield Congregational United Church of Christ, seek to be a community of Christians who celebrate and live in openness to the voice of the Still Speaking God. We celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of each expression of God’s diverse family as well as our oneness in Christ. As we seek to live out our mission to “live Christ’s compassion and promote justice, healing and wholeness of life” we welcome into our community persons of every gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, age, race, nationality, economic and social status, faith background, marital standing and family structure; and we invite them to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our congregation as we seek to “grow together in faith and love”.

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.

Because we believe that all people are created in God’s image and thus are blessed and loved equally by God, and because love is a unifying and strengthening force within our Christian faith,

We, the members of the Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, hereby declare ourselves an Open and Affirming Christian community, actively expressing Jesus’ inclusive embrace of all people.

We welcome all who seek to follow Jesus, including persons of every age, gender, race, national origin, faith background, marital status and family structure, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, economic and social status, and educational background, to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our church family.

Jesus teaches us to welcome all God’s children into God’s covenantal community. As we grow together in faith and love, we will strive to celebrate the diversity in which God has created us.

Who We Are

We are an open and affirming community following the teachings of Jesus.

We seek God's will for today through an inner spiritual journey and an outer journey of engagement in community life.

Our faith leads us to welcome all persons, including those of all races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, family structures, faith backgrounds, abilities and economic circumstances, into the full life and ministry of this church.

We the Congregational Church of Faribault, Minnesota, United Church of Christ, declare our congregation to be an Open and Affirmation church. We acknowledge God’s acceptance of every individual and Jesus’ commandment to love one another. Therefore, we welcome gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual individuals to worship and enter into the full life and ministry of this church. We strive for justice and equality for all of God’s children in our journey of faith. 

We, the members of Phoenix UCC, believe that all people are created in God’s image and thus are loved and blessed equally by God. We take seriously the command Jesus teaches us “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:25-28).

Therefore, on April 12, 2009, a unanimous vote by the congregation was taken to become an Open and Affirming congregation in the United Church of Christ.

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.

Hope United is an Open and Affirming congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person, since we are all created in God’s image. We welcome into full membership and participation in the Body of Christ persons of every race, ethnic background, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, socio-economic background, marital status and faith background. We welcome all to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation.