Affirmation of Welcome

 First Grace United Church of Christ, Akron, Ohio
 
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 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."[1]To the best of our ability, we promise to minister, provide pastoral care and programs to all who seek God in this place.