Christ Church | Archive | ONA - Open and Affirming Statement

Christ Church, Summit NJ


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Open and Affirming Declaration

In May, 1999, at a meeting of the congregation of Christ Church in Summit, NJ, following several months of discussion, study, and deliberation, the following "ONA" statment was voted on and adopted by a nearly 90% plurality of the members of the church:

We believe that we are all part of God's creation and that we are all sisters and brothers in God's family. We welcome and affirm gay men and lesbians into the life and leadership of our congregation. We condemn all acts of violence against people because of their sexual orientation.

To this end, we join the United Church of Christ Open & Affirming Congregations and the American Baptist Churches Welcoming & Affirming congregations. And in the spirit of this affirmation, we authorize our ministers to extend to gay men and lesbians all of the blessings of life in our congregation, including the blessing of same-sex unions.

Resources

United Church of Christ Resolution calling on UCC congregations to covenant as Open and Affirming.
Pastoral Letter from Paul Sherry, former President of the United Church of Christ.