It's so much more than saying "All Are Welcome"

LGBTQ+ people of faith often experience emotional and spiritual injury in churches that condemn their capacity to love and seek love. Because they’ve learned that “All Are Welcome” usually doesn’t apply to them, they can’t assume that any church will be safe for them and their families. On Easter morning in 2018, First United Church of Christ officially became an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation. Our hope is that all LGBTQ+ faith seekers see and know that they have a home here at First UCC because we are all beloved children of God.

By adopting an ONA covenant, as written below, we at First United Church of Christ take seriously St. Paul’s admonition to “accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7, NIV)

We, the members of First United Church of Christ, welcome you:

• If you are Asian, Black, Brown, Hispanic, Native American, or White;
• If you are male, female, transgender, or gender non-conforming;
• If you are 3 years old, 33 years old, or 103 years old;
• If you are from just down the street, from across the country, or from another part of the globe;
• If you grew up at Hoffner Church, were confirmed in the Catholic Church, got married in a non-denominational church, worshipped in a synagogue or mosque, or have never attended a religious service;
• If you are single, married, widowed, divorced, separated, or partnered;
• If you are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or unsure of your sexuality;
• If you are a Democrat, Independent or Republican, affiliated with another political party or no party at all;
• If you have, or have had, addictions, phobias, or a criminal record;
• If you own your home, rent, live with your parents, or are homeless;
• If you were baptized at First UCC, or are worshipping here for the first time;
• If you attend services every week, once a month, or once year;
• If you have typical or atypical skills, no matter your abilities or disabilities.

However the rest of the world describes you, and however you describe yourself: You are a beloved child of God and are welcome at First United Church of Christ. Being fully welcome in our community here at First UCC means that as we keep the love of Christ at the center of all we do, our congregation will:

• Always seek to affirm the person that you are with loving hearts and open minds.
• Follow the way of Christ Jesus with you in loving and being loved by both God and neighbor, with the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.
• Support and encourage you in your ongoing spiritual and religious journey.
• Love you for the person you are by living out our denomination’s promise that “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at First United Church of Christ.”