Open and Affirming in the UCC
Open and Affirming (ONA) is the UCC designation for congregations that make a public covenant of welcome to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. The ONA label signifies a spirit of hospitality and a willingness to live out that welcome in meaningful ways.
Because each congregation in the UCC is independent, and therefore free to make its own decisions, there is a broad diversity of theology and practice in our tradition. Each ONA congregation has independently adopted an Open and Affirming covenant after a journey of dialogue, study and prayer.
Approximately 1 in 3 UCC churches has identified as ONA, and we at Ft. Myers Congregational UCC are proud to have joined this select group in 2013.
Our ONA statement includes, but is not limited to, gender issues and reads:
Enriched by diversity, we embrace all people of any heritage, culture, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, marital or economic status, or varying mental and physical abilities. Everyone is welcome into all aspects of church life as we celebrate the image of God in every person.
