Open and Affirming Church Vote

[mortensen_jon]

Hey all! I'm bursting with enthusiam and I just can't help but spread the good news.

On Tuesday evening, my congregation voted (overwhelmingly) to become an Open and Affirming Congregation (ONA). The meeting was relatively short, with relatively little discussion and contained only one objection to a sub-section of the proposal (pastor's right to perform blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples). One individual wanted to "pull" that sub-section from the rest of the proposal and vote on it seperately. That move was soundly defeated by the rest in attendance.

Rockford, IL, for those of you who may not be aware, is INSANELY conservative. Our ONA task force has been meeting for several years and did a great job bringing in guest speakers and presenting GLBT issues during our regularly scheduled adult education sessions.

Here's a link to our site (http://springcreekucc.com).

Jon:rainbow:

[Vanessa White]

I am so happy for you and those in your area that will be blessed by this decision. THank you for sharing this with us. Peace and love to you, :love::pray:

[pnggrad79]

Jon,
Congratulations and best wishes to you and your church's decision to become open and affirming. It is a right step in bringing back into the church those people who were once forbidden to come and be who they were openly rather than hiding it. I am proud of your church's decision and hope it is not met with backlash from the community.:)

[shadesofgray21]

That's amazing news! Congratulations.

[Pablo Rafael]

Thanks Jon,

It is always encouraging to hear some good news.

Acceptance will come one person at time, one step at a time. The truth eventually will prevail.

Pablo

[Gennee]

That's so wonderful to hear, Jon. Change is coming.


Gennee

:)

[RedneckDyke]

Whooooohoooooo!!!!!!!!!!

[Erik]

Congratulations on the ONA vote. When I read your post I wondered if it was a UCC congregation. I have a sibling who is a UCC ordained minister and is considering joining a movement to not marry anyone until all can marry. There is a UCC church in Minneapolis, Lyndale UCC, that will perform the religious ceremony for all couples but will not file the paperwork for any heterosexual couples until they are allowed to file the papers for same-sex couples as well (at least this was the case as of a few months ago).

Congrats again !!