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We believe all persons are created in the image of a loving God, who not only creates but also embodies, embraces and celebrates diversity. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to restore justice wherever God's creation is broken or divided. We acknowledge that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons have long been excluded, rejected and dishonored by the Church. This practice, often implicitly condoned by silence, continues today. While persons of minority sexual orientations have historically been a part of faith communities, many, out of fear or rejection, have been unable to live openly the fullness of their lives. Others have left or never joined a church. We also recognize that other marginalized people have been excluded. When any person's opportunity for spiritual growth and worship is limited by injustice, our own growth is restricted and our worship diminished. We celebrate that this congregation has been a welcoming community of faith and now wish to make our welcome explicit for all. Therefore: We invite people of every race, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ability, financial means, ethnic and spiritual background into the full life and ministry of this congregation. As one expression of this invitation we declare First Congregational United Church of Christ, Asheville, NC to be an "Open and Affirming" congregation of the United Church of Christ. With God's help, we will challenge injustice based on sexual orientation. We promise to support and honor all loving and mutual relationships. With a spirit of thankfulness for all God's gifts we humbly and prayerfully enter into this covenant with one another. Approved by congregational vote on January 27, 2002. To download the 2008 ONA Dinner Schedule click here. Sources of Information* For more information on ONA, go to: UCC ONA (www.ucccoalition.org) Growing into Diversity – Past, Present, Future written by Noel Nickle, Member First Congregational UCC, Asheville, NC. is available for download by clicking on the title. The article was printed in a booklet entitled "Strength Training for the Body of Christ: An ONA Approach". The booklet was prepared by the UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns and used at a workshop at the Chicago Theological Seminary. The booklet is available for purchase by churches that are ONA or are considering the ONA process. 1. UCC National website www.ucc.org/lgbt 2. Human Rights Campaign www.hrc.org 3. NC Equality www.equalitync.org 4. PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays) www.pflag.org PFLAG TNET (Transgender Network) www.pflag.org/TNET 5. OIA www.outinasheville.com gay Asheville, NC, events for GLBTQ 6. Equality Soul Force www.soulforce.org "The purpose of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance." 7. Phoenix Support Group for Transgender Persons Phoenix Support Group 8. Crisis Center for GLBT Helpmate 56 College St Ste 201 Asheville, NC 28801 Ph: 828-254-2968 ext: 15 * Note: This list is representative of outside websites and services available. The organizations listed here are not associated with the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein and are provided as information only. From time to time this list will be augmented or modified. |