Open & Affirming
By adopting an ONA covenant, our congregation can live out Paul’s teaching to “accept one another, just as Christ accepted you.” (Romans 15:7 NIV)
The Open and Affirming Team is pleased to announce that the vote to accept the ONA Covenant was approved at the Annual Church Meeting. Church members were invited to vote on accepting the proposed Covenant by paper ballot, and the members voted to accept the Covenant by a whopping 97%! The United Congregational Church of Tolland will now be listed publicly as an Open and Affirming church. Thank you to all who came to the annual meeting and took the time to vote on this important issue. The ONA Team will now begin the process of living into our adopted Covenant. The Covenant reads as follows:
We the United Congregational Church of Tolland, affirm that all people are created in the image of God and all are deserving of God's love and grace. We invite all into this church family without regard to race, age, gender, marital status, family structure, differing abilities, economic status, education, faith background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity. We invite everyone to join our faith community through participation and leadership in this congregation, and by sharing in the worship, rites, and sacraments of this church.
We acknowledge the challenge of living out our invitation and we pray for God's constant loving guidance to help us recognize and celebrate the differences and gifts each person brings to our church. We strive to create a safe haven for all by making justice and inclusivity a reality in this congregation and in the world.
Open and Affirming (ONA) is used by the United Church of Christ to welcome all, including individuals who frequently feel judged and excluded by society. We recognize that there are differences among us, and believe that we can love alike even though we may not think alike. By becoming Open and Affirming we seek to be God's loving hands in the world, with open minds and compassionate hearts.
Website Links
ONA Coalition: https://openandaffirming.org
What ONA Means to Me?
In January, I had the opportunity to go into Hartford to see a show at the Bushnell. As we drove through Hartford I noticed one of Hartford's stately UCC churches proudly displaying an ONA banner in their front yard. My question at the time was, "why does this church need to advertise to the world that they are an ONA church when supposedly all UCC churches are welcoming?" Since then I have learned that "All are Welcome" isn't enough. Members of the LGBT community, those with special needs, multiracial families and families with a less traditional structure have learned that "All are Welcome" doesn't always apply to them. A public welcome by an Open and Affirming church sends a clear message to all that have a home in the UCC. Written Written by Beth Stewart
"..and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 RSV and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Mark 12:31 RSV. In keeping with these biblical inperatives and as former pastors we embrace and encourage the work of the ONA group and affirm the right of every individual to be welcomed and included in the worship and fellowship of God's church. Written by Rev. Donald G. Miller, Rev. Hannah Howe, Rev. Sandra T. Benjamin
"We have friends that have a son with cerebral palsy who spends most of his time in a wheel chair. We recently attended a Power Soccer Tournament, which is a competitive team sport designed for power wheel chair users of all ages. The athletes' health issues include quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and many others. These physical challenges did nothing to dampen the team spirit and serious competition of the players and fans. I was humbled and awed by the joy and enthusiasm around me. The players taught me a lesson in acceptance of people for their inner being rather than their outward appearance. As an open and affirming church, UCC Tolland will communicate to the local community and the world that is doors are open to people of all abilities."
Written by Christine Thompson
"Quite simply, ONA is a way of life. My step brother is gay…..I never thought much or cared about that. A brief experience in 1985 at my high school graduation party reminds me that not everyone is open to this. In my opinion, to be open and affirming is a choice based on our own experiences. I believe we all have the capacity to judge one another for any difference we may have such as race, color, height, financial status and so forth. I think that is just being human. I pray we all realize that this is only the beginning of a lifelong commitment to become open and affirming."
Written by Lisa Harley
“This church has been my extended family for as long as I can remember. I have always felt accepted and loved within the walls of our church. Ours is a community I don't want anybody to miss out on. I have friends that do not feel comfortable with the idea of church, because they think the church could never accept them. By becoming ONA, I believe we as Christians can share our truly wonderful community with those who need it, regardless of who they are.”
Written by Ben Free
“An ONA designated church communicates to all the local LGBTQ community that if they are looking for a safe place to openly worship, please come on in and check us out. It says to teens who may be struggling with their own sexuality or gender identity that there is clergy here that they can talk to. Clergy that will help guide them to accept who they are instead of how to pretend to be what they are not. To realize that God loves them just as they are and that God doesn’t care who they love but how they love that person. How much more I would be today if I had figured this out then!”
Written by Bailey Brenn, Deacon UCC Tolland
“Being accepted for who you are, for what you are, should not be the exception but the norm. Welcoming folks wherever they are on their journey with whatever they come with from wherever they come makes us true Christians. Praying for people and accepting their differences from afar is one thing, but what about when they walk through your door? When anyone feels compelled to hide who they are in order to be accepted, they are forced to live their life in a prison of self-denial and shadow. We are not a people of shadow but of light. With all of the students I have taught and teachers I have worked, I found that acceptance of who they truly are makes the most difference. It fosters the closest connections, promotes honesty and trust, encourages understanding and compassion, and builds the fruitful relationships, showing love for all. This is why I am involved in the work with Open and Affirming Committee of our church. I do not want to live any other way.”
Written by Gary Lotreck
“Often it may seem that ONA is synonymous with the LGBTQ cause. But it simply means challenging ourselves to be accepting of anyone that wants to become part of our church family. Each one of us has said or dine something that we are not proud of, or wish we could take back. It may have been a “harmless” comment about another person or as extreme as committing a crime that resulted in being incarcerated for an extended period of time. I believe, no matter what someone may have done, and if they truly want to see forgiveness and live a life based on the teaching of our faith, we should welcome them and help them on their journey of reconciliation.”
Written by Kevin Juber
“A women I know has a niece who is mentally ill, a nephew with severe physical challenges, a sister-in-law with cognitive challenges. Her son lost a childhood friend to heroin. Another son questions the existence of God. A close family friend recently serves 12 months in prison. This women’s dear cousin has chosen a same-sex life partner. And this women has many Muslim coworkers she considers friends. ONA is a statement of acceptance, of accommodation, of encouragement and LOVE. What better place than UCC of Tolland? Oh, and by the way – I AM that women!”
Written by Marcia Berner
“I grew up in the South Congregational Church of East Hartford in the 1960’s and 70’s. At that time, South Church was a large, thriving, active church with members of all ages. As the population of East Hartford declined, so did the membership at South Church, and today the membership has dwindled to a small core of mostly senior citizens. So I was a big surprised to learn that they have recently obtained ONA status. A close family friend and an octogenarian was on the Open and Affirming team at South Church. She told me, “It was the right thing to do and the right time to do it.” An explicit welcome by an ONA church sends a clear message to all that they have a home in a welcoming church.”
Written by Bob Stewart
“For one, it’s about catching up to the millennial generation who do not perceive or behave like LGBTQ is an issue. It’s just something that resonates with them. If anything in my work with undergrads at UConn, they embrace those who are different and try hard to include them. It’s interesting to think that over the next few decades, LGBTQ will become a distant memory.”
Written by Kevin Thompson
“When our family relocated to Massachusetts in 2005 we went church shopping. After some online research and trial services, we found a fit with the local UCC church. Since they became ONA in 1993, we knew we would be welcomed into a community of faith that did not discriminate. After 4 years in that vibrant, growing congregation, I am convinced its ONA designation fueled its growth. If you would like to explore what ONA might mean to our church, please talk with Christine and Kevin Thompson, Nancy and Hannes Alholm, Kevin and Linda Juber, or Bob and Beth Stewart. We are excited and honored with the enthusiastic response we have received to date.”
Written by Christine Thompson
“As a single mom with 3 young children, their spiritual health was as important to me as their physical health. Attending the church of my youth, however, was not the answer. Unable to fully participate in church activities and not recognized as a full member due to my divorce, I felt ashamed. We all attended but I learned much later how difficult this was for my children as well, when my daughter approached me after confirmation class saying “I just can’t be a hypocrite, Mom”. Teaching our children is a parent’s responsibility, but I firmly believe that we learn as much from them as they learn from us. Our children are the most tolerant, accepting, and loving people we know from birth. They expect the same from us. The Bible tells us that God created us in His image. The Bible does NOT say God created some of us in HIS image. The Bible does NOT say God created some of us in His image. God does not make mistakes. The child every mother carries in her womb was created by Him regardless of whether he or she is gay, straight, black, white, Muslim, Christian, or Jewish. Welcoming every mother’s child into our church is what ONA means to me.”
Written by Maricia Berner
“ONA means keeping my eyes, ears and heart open…with passion. As a school leader, I rely on my faith to run and build a public magnet school to meet the needs of every child and family. Our families are seeing “the right fit” for their children, who may be facing hunger, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, undetermined gender or loss of a parent. ALL are God’s children, yearning to engage in a caring learning community. School is to be a safe place. Church is to be a safe place. I believe that being open to making a covenant will affirm and communicate that we provide a safe place for ALL God’s children.”
Written by Tonja Kelly
“ONA is an opportunity to learn and grow. As a dedicated educator for more than four decades, I spent much time and energy helping others to accept, understand, and ultimately celebrate differences. Now I’m looking at sexual orientation and gender identity and wondering. If I never discuss the topic, do my actions display acceptance? Do gay and lesbian friends and acquaintances know that I love them for who they are? Is quiet acceptance enough? Is our church a welcoming and safe place for all if we never speak about differences? It’s time for conversation.”
Written by Fran Maynard
“Upon moving to Connecticut, I became curious about the local Congregational Church. I hadn’t hear of the religion when I lived in the Midwest and the South. Specifically, I wanted to know whether the religion would be welcoming to me, my wife and my children. Through my research, I learned that the United Church of Christ has a history or supporting principles of peace, justice, equality and inclusivity. I understand that although not all congregations had adopted an Open and Affirming covenant, the religion, as a whole, seemed to be welcoming to LGBTQ families. I initially became a member of the First Church of Christ Congregational, in Suffield. I found the congregation and pastor to be very welcoming. I then moved to Tolland, and found UCC Tolland to be the same welcoming faith community. I have enjoyed being an active member of the congregation, and hope that anyone else looking for a faith community feels the same level of comfort that I have found here at UCC Tolland. Adopting an Open and Affirming covenant may lead others who are actively searching for a church home to know without question that this is a welcoming and inclusive congregation for anyone wishing to worship God.”
Written by Alona Crouteau