Open and Affirming Coalition UCC

Open and Affirming Coalition UCC The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ advocates for LGBTQ+ individuals. Executive Director: .katrinaonacoalitionucc
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Founded in 1972, the Open and Affirming Coalition builds community for LGBTQIA+ members in the United Church of Christ and their families, supports congregations that are on the journey towards an Open and Affirming covenant, helps existing ONA congregations become more effective witnesses to the Gospel, and connects our supporters and stakeholders with opportunities for advocacy for LGBTQIA+ civil rights.

Witnessing to their neighbors! 🌈🌈 Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Pullman, WA had an affirming, art-...
06/18/2026

Witnessing to their neighbors! 🌈🌈 Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Pullman, WA had an affirming, art-filled booth at Pullman Pride fest on June 6th! Community Congregational has been Open and Affirming since 1994!

The world feels heavy right now. Many of our communities are facing growing threats, uncertainty, and fear.What does fai...
06/13/2026

The world feels heavy right now. Many of our communities are facing growing threats, uncertainty, and fear.

What does faithful resistance look like in this moment? How do we care for one another, pursue justice, and build safer communities without giving in to despair?

Join us on June 25 for The Sacredness Is in the Streets with Tahil Sharma, Faith Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force. Together we'll explore practical tools for safety, de-escalation, community care, and justice-centered action rooted in faith.

Registration starts at just $15, and financial assistance may be available.

For more information and to Register today: https://openandaffirming.networkforgood.com/events/101508-the-sacredness-is-in-the-streets-strengthening-our-faith-and-ourselves-during-overlapping-crises

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🌈🌈Check out the gorgeous Pride display at First Congregational UCC, Corning NY! God's doors are open to ALL! First Congr...
06/13/2026

🌈🌈Check out the gorgeous Pride display at First Congregational UCC, Corning NY! God's doors are open to ALL! First Congregational is a sponsor of the Corning Pride fest, being held this weekend.
Is your ONA church participating in Pride month? Send your photos to [email protected]!

🌈It's Pride festival time!🌈 Pictured is Fauntleroy Church in Seattle, Washington, participating in the White Center Prid...
06/12/2026

🌈It's Pride festival time!🌈 Pictured is Fauntleroy Church in Seattle, Washington, participating in the White Center Pride Street Festival on June 6. At its booth, the church proudly displayed its new “God Is Love” banner and offered “You Are Loved” pocket hearts, rainbow lollipops, “God Loves Me” stickers, Pride flags, and the chance to spin a wheel for a blessing. ✨
“We want our LGBTQIA2S+ neighbors to know they are loved just as God made them and just as they are, and that there is a church in their community where they will be welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated,” church members shared.
Is your ONA church marching or tabling this month! Send your photos to [email protected] - we'd love to share them! Happy Pride, siblings!

🎉 We Did It! Thanks to your generosity, we’ve already raised $1,500 and unlocked the full matching gift for Rev. Derek T...
06/12/2026

🎉 We Did It! Thanks to your generosity, we’ve already raised $1,500 and unlocked the full matching gift for Rev. Derek Terry’s Birthday Match!

That means every dollar of the $1,500 match has been activated, helping us raise $3,000 for LGBTQ+ affirmation, advocacy, and community.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who has given so far.

But we’re not done yet. The campaign continues for the next three days, and every additional gift will help expand our impact during Pride Month as we work to ensure LGBTQ+ people know they are loved, affirmed, and not alone.

If you haven’t given yet, there’s still time to be part of this special celebration and help strengthen the movement for LGBTQ+ affirmation.

Give today: openandaffirming.org/birthday 🌈❤️

🌈📣🌈Please help us welcome First Congregational Church of East Millinocket, Maine to the growing list of ONA churches! Th...
06/08/2026

🌈📣🌈Please help us welcome First Congregational Church of East Millinocket, Maine to the growing list of ONA churches! They adopted their Covenant last month and are ONA church #1,957. What a perfect way to usher in Pride month! 😍

🎉 Help Us Celebrate Rev. Derek Terry's Birthday!There was a time when Derek didn't think he could be both LGBTQ+ and Chr...
06/07/2026

🎉 Help Us Celebrate Rev. Derek Terry's Birthday!

There was a time when Derek didn't think he could be both LGBTQ+ and Christian, let alone a pastor. Then he encountered something different.

Through the Open and Affirming movement, he discovered a God who loved and affirmed him exactly as he is. That changed his life.

Today, Derek has the privilege of leading the Open and Affirming Coalition and helping others find that same affirmation, belonging, and hope.

In honor of his birthday, we're raising $1,500 in one week. Every gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $1,500, helping us raise $3,000 for LGBTQ+ affirmation.

Donate today: openandaffirming.org/birthday 🌈❤️

🌈🌈🌈Summer is here, Pride month is going strong, and there's still time to check out church camps across the country! Uni...
06/05/2026

🌈🌈🌈Summer is here, Pride month is going strong, and there's still time to check out church camps across the country!
United Church Camps, Inc.
kin·dom community
Pilgrim Lodge
Heartland Conference United Church of Christ
Camp Talahi
Color Splash Out
Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center
The Naming Project
Horton Center (Official FB Site)
DuBois Center

Happy Pride Month Siblings,🌈 BIG NEWS! 🌈We are overjoyed to officially announce that Rev. Derek Terry has been appointed...
06/04/2026

Happy Pride Month Siblings,

🌈 BIG NEWS! 🌈

We are overjoyed to officially announce that Rev. Derek Terry has been appointed Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the UCC! 🎉

Rev. Terry has faithfully served our Coalition as Program Director and most recently as Acting Executive Director for over a year while leading with compassion, vision, and an unwavering commitment to extravagant affirmation.

Under his leadership, we have:
✨ Continued certifying congregations as Open and Affirming
✨ Expanded partnerships across faith communities & conferences
✨ Grown deeper connections throughout the UCC and beyond

Rev. Terry is a servant leader, a fierce advocate for LGBTQIA+ people and communities, and a living example of faith and justice in action. We are so honored to have him leading the organization and the movement officially!

As we celebrate this exciting news during Pride Month, we invite you to celebrate with us by supporting the work of the Open and Affirming Coalition through Give OUT Day, the nation's largest day of giving for LGBTQ+ organizations.

Your gift helps sustain LGBTQ+ affirmation, advocacy, leadership development, educational resources, and communities where people can find belonging, hope, and courage.

Make your Give OUT Day gift:
https://www.giveoutday.org/story/39a45g

Please join us in congratulating Rev. Derek Terry and helping us continue building a world where LGBTQ+ people are fully welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated.

Congratulations, Rev. Terry! The movement is stronger because of you.

Please join us in celebrating and welcoming Rev. Derek Terry as our Executive Director!

Address

1300 E 9th Street Ste 1100
Cleveland, OH
44114

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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