ST. MICHAEL'S

Whoever you are,
where ever you are
on life's journey,
you are welcome here!

At a Special Congregational Meeting held on April 27, 2008, the attending members of St. Michael's United Church of Christ voted unanimously to approve the following addition to our church Constitution that declares that we are an OPEN and AFFIRMING congregation:

As a community of Christian believers, we are charged by the Word to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and welcome the stranger.  As a family of faith, we are also challenged to respect each other, create space for one another's differences, and offer each other and all who would join with us the extravagant hospitality so graciously and generously shown by Jesus.

In the Spirit of holy hospitality, St. Michael's United Church of Christ declares itself to be open and affirming of all women, men, children and families -- each a unique gift from God.  We welcome people of all ages, races, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations who desire to join in the life of our church, worshipping God and sharing the costs and joys of discipleship, and being Christ's servants in the service of others.

OPEN and AFFIRMING in the UCC

For more than 30 years the national setting of the UCC has been on a clear course of welcome and inclusion, calling for serious study of human sexuality, supporting the civil rights of LGBT persons, and in 1985 adopting the Open and Affirming (ONA) resolution.  To say that a setting of the UCC (a local church, campus ministry etc.) is "Open and Affirming" means that it has publicly declared that "gay, lesbian, bisexual" (GLB) people (or those of all "sexual orientations") are welcome in its full life and ministry (e.g. membership, leadership, employment etc.) It bespeaks a spirit of hospitality and a willingness to live out that welcome in meaningful ways.

The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns provides significant leadership in the ONA movement, developing resources and urging congregations to become ONA.  Since 1985, more than 760 UCC congregations have engaged in ONA study programs and voted to be ONA congregations and many of them are among the most vital and vibrant congregations in the UCC. Conferences, Associations, seminaries, and UCC-related colleges and universities are among the various other settings and related institutions of the UCC which have declared themselves to be Open and Affirming.

What has made all the difference in this movement is the churches and other settings which have not only declared themselves Open and Affirming, but have faithfully lived into the values of a church with an extravagant welcome.

Scores of people have been transformed by the ONA witness of the UCC. It is a witness that is changing the world, saving lives and helping to build God's community of welcome, justice and peace.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE UCC LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER MINISTRIES WEBSITE.