Resolution on Being an Open and Affirming Congregation

Programs

• PFLAG support group meeting the 3rd Wednesday of each month
• films and books in church library
• Outreach to the campuses
• NC Pride

Gallery

• CUCC at NC Pride 2010
• Making Signs for NC Pride

Relationships and coalitions

• Equality NC
• Gay Christian Network
• LGBT Center of Raleigh
• NC Pride
• PFLAG
• NC State GLBT Center
• Duke University Center for LGBT Life
• UNC-Chapel Hill LGBTQ Center

You Are All Welcome Here

Live your faith!

• Display a UCC rainbow comma on your car, at work or somewhere easily seen. The rainbow colors are a sign that you are welcome to people who are LGBT.
• Work with an outreach team to college campus.
• Attend NC Pride in September.
• Invite an LGBT friend who is looking for a church home to CUCC.
• Join the ONA Task Force.

Meets about once a month
Contact: Joan McAllister

What does CUCC mean when we say we are an Open and Affirming congregation?

Joyfully welcoming all who seek to know God, we reach out to all people who have traditionally been excluded or marginalized by the church and society through the barriers that people and systems create. "God is still speaking," and we believe that this is one of the many ways we can respond to that spiritual voice.

In declaring ourselves an Open and Affirming Church, we celebrate the sacredness of every person as a child of God.

We invite and welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people to join in the full life and ministry of our congregation.

We oppose discrimination and we pledge to work actively for justice and inclusion of all persons in our church and our community.

What does the Open and Affirming (ONA) Task Force do?

We are leading the congregation to embody its commitment to welcome, support, and advocate with LGBT people and those who love them. Currently we have groups working on congregational education, on outreach to local college campuses, and on offering support to local LGBT organizations. We are all on a journey of faith and we benefit from sharing and learning together. Please join us.

How does the task force connect to the rest of CUCC?

We are a committee of the Council.

Why do you like being a member of the ONA Task Force?

"I believe that each human being is a reflection of the divinity, of God. Making known to every person of any sexual preferences and gender identity that I value them for who they are is a way of touching the divine in me and in them. Namaste." -- Jim

"The energy that flows through the task force meetings is clearly the work of the Holy Spirit- excitement, commitment, willingness to do as well as to talk...I won't be too surprised to see tongues of fire dancing on our heads! I believe that God LOVES diversity, a fact that is reflected in all of creation. This task force is basically about helping the church to break down barriers and to welcome each other in wonder and appreciation. My faith in the workings of the Spirit is renewed and refreshed. How does this work connect with my experience with church? I have said that we (CUCC) are small enough to be a true community, yet are big enough to do great things. This is a GREAT THING!!" -- Joan