"ONA-Spirited Youth" is a public listing of any Open and Affirming (ONA) event/action/activity by a group of UCC youth or young adults, which raises awareness of or extends a welcome to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex (lgbtqqi) young people. Through this listing The Coalition wishes to recognize and celebrate the "ONA Spirit" of many of the youth and young adults in the United Church of Christ!

Review the current list of ONA-Spirited Youth!

• About ONA-Spirited Youth
• Why is it called "ONA-Spirited Youth?"
• Why is this being done?
• Who can be listed?
• Does the group have to be part of an ONA church?
• What kinds of things can be listed?
• What time period does the list cover?
• How do we get our activity on the list?
• Where do we send news of our action/event?
• What happens when The Coalition gets our news?

"ONA" refers to the "Open and Affirming" movement in the UCC, which seeks to include people of every color, age, gender identity, etc. whether they identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, or are in the process of discovering who they are in this regard (questioning). "Spirited" captures both the enthusiasm that many youth bring to this issue and our belief that it is God's Spirit which is at work in youth (and adults alike) as we make this witness for an inclusive church.

The Coalition knows that there are many UCC young people who share the vision of a Church and world where people of all colors, ages, genders, and abilities, of every sexual orientation, will respect and learn from one another. In their attitudes and activities, these youth already model an "ONA Spirit" that is open to people of all sexual orientations. The Coalition wants the UCC, the wider Church, and society to know that many of our denomination's youth and young adults are inclusive in their thoughts and actions. They are a dynamic part of shaping a more welcoming community in Christ!

Any group of UCC youth/young adults (a youth group, confirmation class, young adult group, campus ministry group, camp, conference, retreat gathering etc.) can be listed as having done something showing "ONA Spirit."

No. While a group may be part of a UCC church listed with The Coalition as ONA, that is not necessary for it to appear on the "ONA-Spirited Youth" list. We want this list to include a wide variety of groups and activities.

Any event, action, or activity by a group of youth or young adults which increases their awareness of issues related to the lives of lgbtqqi youth or welcomes them into a group or gathering.

Here are some examples of what might appear on the list:

January 1998: Sr. High Youth Group, First Congregational Church, Someplace, Ill. - held a weekend retreat on "Homophobia: Who Needs It?"

March 1999: Confirmation Class, United Church, Gummibear, Va. - had 2 classes on understanding sexual orientation

April 2000: New England Youth Event - declared this to be an "Open and Affirming" event (safe and welcoming space for all LGBTQ youth)

May 2001: Sr. High Youth Group, Christ's Church, UCC, Hometown, Ca. - adopted a statement welcoming LGBTQ youth to all meetings and activities

Review the current list of ONA-Spirited Youth!

This is an annual listing. Each year's activities will be announced at The Coalition National Gathering and, when it happens, the UCC General Synod (which occur in June/July). The year will run from June-May.

A group wishing to be listed must send the following information (see address below):

1) Name of group, contact person with address, UCC church/body you're connected to

2) Description of its "ONA-Spirited" action or event (what did you do? where? who participated? any brief reflection on its effects etc.)

3) IMPORTANT: If the group includes any members 18 years old or under, the report must be signed by one youth and one adult leader (noting position: group leader? pastor? other?) Young adult groups (all members 19 or older) need only the signature of a group member. Note: sending news will be taken as an indication that you are willing to have it publicly announced (see below).

Send it to The Coalition's Youth and Young Adult Program Coordinator.

1) Your action/event will be listed on the "ONA-Spirited" Youth page on this website.

2) You will receive a certificate acknowledging your "ONA-Spirited" activity.

3) Periodically, these activities will appear in ONA and Youth and Young Adult (YYA) program newsletters, and possibly in other UCC publications.

4) News about ONA-Spirited Youth will be shared at The Coalition's annual National Gathering and at General Synods. We look forward to hearing from you!