What does Open & Affirming mean?
Open and Affirming is a designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the United Church of Christ which make public statements of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
But isn’t anyone welcome to attend your church?
Many churches say “everyone is welcome…” Many churches say “come, worship with us…’ Many churches say “we welcome everyone into the life of Christ…” Many churches say “we embrace diversity…” Many churches say “we are open to all those who wish to be Christians…”
Who are we to judge other churches? But to keep it simple, to make it clear, to say it thoroughly, and to be both honest of our integrity and reflective of our community, First Grace likes to put it like this:
We are an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation.
If you are Asian, Hispanic, Black, or White
If you are male or female or transgender
If you are three days old, thirty years old, or 103 years old
If you've never stepped foot in church, or if you are Buddhist, Roman Catholic, agnostic, or a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ or its predecessors
If you are single, married, divorced, separated, or partnered
If you are straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual
If you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, Socialist, or not registered to vote
If you have, or had, addictions, phobias, abortions, or a criminal record
If you own your home, rent, live with your parents, or are homeless
If you are fully-abled, disabled, or a person with differing abilities...
You are welcome here!
This congregation known as First Grace United Church of Christ in Akron is committed to being a radically loving and welcoming community of faith, centered in the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, in faithfulness to the Gospel, the United Church of Christ, and First Grace United Church of Christ, "We will not discriminate against any person, group, or organization on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, faith, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, or physical, mental, or emotional disability."
To the best of our ability, we promise to minister, provide pastoral care and programs to all who seek God in this place.
So yeah… many churches say things close to it, but when we say First Grace is an Open & Affirming church of the United Church of Christ, you know it’s true and our way of life.
Won’t you join us? We promise you’ll feel right at home.
First Grace, then Faith, and Works.