OPEN AND AFFIRMING DECLARATION

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

STOCKBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

We, the United Church of Christ, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in response to the prayer of Jesus that we all may be one, hereby publicly declare our congregation to be Open and Affirming (ONA).

As such, we invite persons of every sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, racial and cultural identity, age, ability, socioeconomic status, faith background, and family structure to share fully in the ministry of this congregation's life in Christ.

Whereas we acknowledge that discrimination of any kind is incompatible with Christ's gospel of unconditional love, we affirm the Resolution of General Synod XV, United Church of Christ (July 2, 1985), "Calling on United Church of Christ congregations to covenant as open and affirming."