Ohio Conference
United Church of Christ 

Open and Affirming Congregations in the Ohio Conference

UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns

Open and Affirming Congregations in the Ohio Conference

What does Open and Affirming mean?
 
The Open and Affirming (ONA) movement in the United Church of Christ began, on a national level, in 1985 when the General Synod (the national delegate body of the UCC) adopted the resolution, "Calling on United Church of Christ Congregations to Declare Themselves Open and Affirming."

The central affirmation of an ONA congregation is that "gay, lesbian and bisexual people" (or "people of all sexual orientations") are welcome in the full life and ministry of the church.

The focus of the ONA movement is the local UCC church, which becomes "officially ONA" by adopting an "Open and Affirming Statement" expressing this welcome.  Adoption of statements is usually preceded by a period of study, reflection and prayer on the subjects of sexual orientation, homophobia, biblical messages about sexuality and inclusiveness and so forth.  

Many churches explicitly state that their welcome includes membership, leadership, employment, etc.  Statements may also include the theological/biblical perspectives which inform the church's ONA stance, acknowledgement of discrimination and homophobia in the church, and indication of ways in which the congregation plans to address these issues.  In keeping with the policy of the UCC, each church may develop its own statement.

How can I find an Open and Affirming congregation?

Other geographically defined bodies in the UCC - Conferences and Associations (within Conferences) are encouraged to make "Open and Affirming" commitments and assist local churches in the ONA process.

The Ohio Conference, at its 1981 Annual Meeting, adopted a resolution which declared that the Ohio Conference would be identified as an Open and Affirming Conference. Associations and local congregations were invited to consider this same affirmation.

The congregations listed below have made that affirmation.

We have linked to each congregation's website or listed the church's address and contact information when a website is not available. For more information about a particular congregation, please visit their website, call or email.
        

For more information about ONA, visit www.ucccoalition.org.

Open and Affirming Congregations in the Ohio Conference
(alphabetical by church name)

Archwood United Church of Christ, Cleveland, OH

Congregation for Reconciliation, Dayton, OH

Cross Creek Community Church, Centerville, OH

Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, Cleveland, OH

First Church in Oberlin, Oberlin, OH

First Community Church, Columbus OH

First Congregational Church, UCC, Columbus, OH

First Congregational Church UCC, Lorain, OH

First Grace UCC, Akron, OH

Grace United Church of Christ of Loyal Oak, Norton, OH

Journey Church, Lebanon OH

Liberation UCC, Lakewood, OH

Nexus Church UCC, Fairfield OH

North Congregational UCC, Columbus

Orchard Hill UCC, Chillicothe, OH

Pilgrim Congregational, UCC, Cleveland, OH

Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights UCC

St. John UCC, Bellvue, KY

St. John's Evangelical Protestant UCC, Columbus

Trinity United Church of Christ, Cleveland

Zion United Church of Christ, Cleveland, OH

List of Ohio Conference ONA congregations (Word format)