Our Open and Affirming Ministry:
"Everyone is welcome here... No, really!"

Outside almost every church in the world, there's a sign that says, "All Are Welcome." Only, along the way, some of us find out that sign doesn't include us, particularly if we are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.  By contrast, an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ is a church who has taken a public stand for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in the life of the church and society. 

---

"We believe that all people are created in the image of God, who loves each of us as we are. Following the example of Jesus, we welcome and affirm all people, including those of every age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression; every racial, ethnic and cultural identity, and country of origin; every faith background, family configuration and economic situation; every mental and physical ability and health status; every life experience and circumstance.

​"We strive to be an example of God’s extravagant welcome and to live these beliefs in our worship, language, actions and relationships. We invite all people who desire to join us in this journey of faith to share in the full life and ministry of this church."

The Congregational Church of Needham, UCC adopted this Open and Affirming covenant back in 2000 and updated it in the fall of 2019 in order to make explicit our affirmation of gender identity and gender expression, too.

​What does being Open and Affirming mean in our day to day church life? LGBTQ+ folks are fully integrated in our life together, in our pews, volunteer leadership, and professional staff, and seeking fuller justice for LGBTQ+ folks is part of our mission in the wider world. 

​To learn more about the Open and Affirming program of the United Church of Christ, as shepherded by the Open and Affirming Coalition, click here.