Open & Affirming

We are an open & affirming community.

ONA MINISTRY PURPOSE STATEMENT

The purpose and intention of the First Congregational Church’s Open & Affirming Ministry is to support our congregation in living out the Open and Affirming (ONA) designation in concrete ways.

HOW we will set the intention to make our actions match our words and purpose:

In addition to declaring FCC as an ONA church, a place of welcome, and being open to the queer and gender diverse community, we will also actively search out ways to clearly affirm and celebrate the queer and gender diverse community/friends.

To express FCC ONA through what people see, hear, and experience when they enter our building, attend services, view our website/social media pages, or attend programs or meetings.

To continue expanding our knowledge and understanding of what our queer friends experience, and share our learning with the congregation. Then take that learning and act upon it, both as individuals and as a community.

To reach out to the FCC congregation as well as other UCC churches and the wider community to educate and advocate, creating a broader culture that is open and affirming.

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY LGBTQ ALLIANCE

The Sheboygan County LGBTQ Alliance exists to help create a fair and inclusive county where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and where all people live freely regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. See the Alliance page for further resources.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RESOURCES

Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. See the UCC's page for further resources.