Emanuel United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ

Open & Affirming

On February 16, 2020, Emanuel United Church of Christ voted to become an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation. Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ's (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Emanuel's welcome also includes persons of diverse races and ethnicities, homeless persons, persons in recovery, and victims of domestic violence.

Emanuel's ONA Statement is below:

Emanuel United Church of Christ Open and Affirming Statement

Emanuel United Church of Christ has a long history of promoting love, justice and equality for all of us who are God’s children. All are welcome truly means just that at Emanuel United Church of Christ since 1861.

In the beginning God created heaven and the earth, as well as all plants, animals, and eventually the wonderful variety of people that inhabit the Earth. We believe that the scriptures reveal the existence of a variety of people that equal the human race.

At Emanuel United Church of Christ we welcome anyone who is in need of the word of the Lord. We are Open and Affirming to everyone, especially those viewed as part of a marginalized group. Everyone is welcome at Emanuel UCC regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, victims (survivors) of domestic violence, racial and ethnic minorities, as well as those recovering from addiction.

Jesus teaches us to welcome and love all of God’s children by using his ministry and forming a covenant with him. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we celebrate our diversity for which God has created to promote love and acceptance.

Here are some related links:

https://openandaffirming.org/
www.gaychurch.org