The Process Becoming Open and Affirming at North Church

In January 1990 North Congregational United Church of Christ adopted, as a congregational goal, a mission that included the nurture of all people.  In May of 1992 the Church adopted as a priority “INCLUSIVENESS—increase the presence and participation of all persons—to include persons from non-nuclear families, those with different racial backgrounds, cultural backgrounds and persons who are differently abled, among others.”  Both of these goals were adopted by congregational vote.

At the request of the Deacons in June 1995 the Church Council voted to convene a task force to conduct an educational process dealing with issues of sexual orientation.  The purpose of the task force was to bring us to a point of greater consensus on the issue of Open and Affirming.  This Declaration is the result of this process.

We know that we are all created in the image of God.  We know that Jesus, the Son of God, taught us these things: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and the most important commandment.  The second most important commandment is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  (MT.22: 37 - 40) Jesus also cautioned us not to be judgmental or disparaging of others.  (Luke 18: 9 - 14), MT. 7: 1 - 12) As leaders of the early Church, Peter made it clear that God shows no partiality and Paul said that as Christians we are many members, but we are one body in Christ.  (Acts 10: 34, Romans 12: 4) We know that God continues to be revealed to us in many ways today through the work of the Holy Spirit.

It is as we struggle to recognize our identity that we begin to grow into the persons we will become in Christ.  Made in God’s image, as persons loved by God, we are called to fully accept ourselves and our sexuality.  Recognizing that our Christian faith is the foundation of our values in human relationships, we envision a community in which all people grow up knowing, enjoying, and having confidence in themselves as children of God.

We are called upon to love one another.  When we do so, we are being faithful to God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.  Knowing and acknowledging who we are is basic to the faith encounter with Jesus Christ, who sees, calls, and loves us as we are.  We know that children grow to trust the unconditional love of God through their experience and participation in an open and accepting environment.  They grow into an understanding of all people as children of God through a diversity of role models.

We recognize that in our culture and even in churches ignorance, fear, hatred, intimidation, intolerance, and violence exist — too often resulting in some people finding themselves in exile from a spiritual community.

All people are embraced within the membership of North Congregational United Church of Christ upon making a common affirmation of faith.  As members of the Body of Christ and of North Church all members are welcomed and expected to share in the worship, general life, and leadership of our congregation.

We realize this declaration may be difficult for some to accept, and we acknowledge that we do not have a full understanding of God’s will for us (I Cor. 13: 9).  We respect those whose prayerful and considered understanding of scripture and tradition has led them to other conclusions, or to the same conclusion for other reasons.  We welcome and look forward to their presence, talents and companionship in the journey of faith together.

History of the process:

• Early Fall 1993 - Lay person proposes deacons post a sign on the main entrance stating “All Are Welcome” with a blue circle, pink triangle, and green square.  Proposal resubmitted several times over the next year but no action taken.
• May, 1994 - Deacons restructure and create an “Inclusiveness Subcommittee” to study a variety of issues.
• Summer, 1994 - Minister on sabbatical.  No action taken.
• November, 1994 - Deacons give UCCL/GC permission to use our facility for a workshop to be held 3/4/95 called “Celebrating Diversity: An Open and Affirming Journey Toward Community” featuring Virginia Ramey Mollencott.
• March 26, 1995 - Minister, Rev. Tim Ahrens preaches a sermon titled “Gay, Lesbian and Christian” in a Lenten series titled “Celebrating Diversity”.  Series activities include viewing the film “Philadelphia” on a Sunday evening.
• June, 1995 - Deacons request Council’s permission to create a “Task Force” to lead the congregation in a study of the issue of sexual orientation and ONA.  Council unanimously votes to create such a Task Force.
• October, 1995 - Congregational meeting where members were asked, in small groups, to list all questions and concerns that they wished to have addressed during the educational process.  Over 90 questions were raised covering 9 general areas.  The ONA Task Force promised to address every issue.

October, 1995 - May, 1996 - Educational process, addressing the following topics:

• Why do we need to do this?
• How will this affect us?
• How can we better affirm those who are les-bi-gay and their families?
• Dealing with the grief of loss of those who choose to leave North Church.
• How will this affect our children?
• What does the Bible say?
• General information about sexual orientation such as biology vs. choice, etc.

The educational process included all of the following activities:

• Presentation of a video titled “Open and Affirming: A Journey of Faith” describing three churches in California who have been through the process.
• An article in the newsletter titled “Becoming An ONA Church: A Brief Look at What, Why and How”.  (This was very controversial.)
• 1/96 - An all day Saturday event featuring Robin Scroggs, Ph. D. from Harvard University, and professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary in New York.  He is the author of The New Testament and Homosexuality.  Session videotaped.
• 1/96 - Sunday sermon preached by Robin Scroggs, Ph. D. titled “The Flexibility of Firmness”.
• 2/96 - A panel discussion of 3 generations of the family of Denice Wooster, MSW, sharing their personal experiences of having gay children, siblings and aunts and uncles in an affirming family environment.  Viodeotaped.  Ms. Wooster is Director of Early Childhood at First Community Church in Grandview.
• 2/96 - Pamphlet distributed titled “Talking With Children About Gays and Lesbians: A Guide for Parents and Teachers” by Denice Wooster.
• Article distributed titled “Linking Gay Rights and Family Values” by Bruce Bawer.
• Pamphlet by The American Psychological Association titled, “Questions and Answers About Homosexuality” available on information table.
• 2/96 - A mini-sermon given by a member describing her relationship with her brother who is gay.
• 3/96 - Sunday bulletin handout titled, “North Church People Have Asked” addressing the basics of What, Why and How of the process.
• 3/96 - UCCL/GC sponsors an all day event with Rev. Dr. Jane Spahr, a Presbyterian minister who was denied her pastorate when she came out.
• 3/96 - Newsletter article titled “ONA: The Scientific Basis of Homosexuality?” addresses biology vs. choice as sexual orientation.
• 3/96 - Newsletter article by Rev. Ahrens addressing issues of grief and loss of those who have left North Church over this issue.
• 4/96 - Article in the newsletter titled, “The Difference Between ‘Open’ and ‘Affirming’”, describing personal experiences of discrimination of a member who is straight and is of Chinese decent.
• 5/96 - Article in the newsletter by a gay member telling why he and his partner chose this church and why ONA is important to them.
• 5/96 - Sermon given by our Minister of Education, Rev. Carolyn Mann titled, “Paying the Price of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, sharing her experiences.
• “All Things Possible”, a video by the Just Peace Players available to borrow.
• ONA information table in the narthex with copies of all materials, including videotapes of all programming, available throughout the process.
• April 10, 1996 - Council approves motion to end educational portion of the process and gather a separate writing committee to draft an ONA covenant statement on which the congregation could vote.
• April 28, 1996 - Covenant approved to be distributed to the congregation at a special meeting of the deacons, the council and the writing committee.  Copies of the covenant were mailed to all members and friends of the congregation.
• May 19, 1996 - A Discernment Meeting of the entire congregation was called for prayerful consideration of the covenant.
• May, 1996 - All members and friends of North Church were invited to small group meeting in homes to discuss the issue.  A Task Force member was at each session.
• June 2, 1996 - The ONA Declaration of Inclusiveness Statement passed by congregational vote, 110 - 4.

After the Vote:

• A press release was sent to any interested parties, including the UCCL/GC, the Ohio Conference office, “Outlook” magazine and other publications.
• Revise office forms, including membership forms, to reflect inclusive language (partner instead of spouse) and offer the option of confidentiality in regards to printing such information.
• Encourage the formation of a social/support group for les-bi-gay members.
• Include an ONA discussion in all future new members classes and offer written information.
• Make a “North Church - Open and Affirming” banner to carry in the annual Gay Pride Parade, Upper Arlington’s 4th of July Parade, etc.
• Include ONA issues routinely in adult and youth education.
• Announce union ceremony anniversaries along with wedding anniversaries.
• Continue to offer our facilities for union ceremonies just as for weddings.
• Print the Inclusiveness Statement in the bulletin each week.
• Educate the congregation in a sermon about the importance of respecting confidentiality and of the dangers of outing someone.
• Place a plaque at our entrance stating that we are an ONA congregation.

February 8, 2009 - The Open and Affirming Declaration of Inclusiveness was expanded to include the words “gender identity and/or expression” by a vote of 81 to 2 at a congregational meeting.