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Open and Affirming

The Congregational Church of Needham is an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. That means that we have completed a process of study and have voted as a congregation to adopt a statement welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as those in other marginalized groups, into the full life and ministry of our church. The ONA Program is part of the UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns.

 

Our Open and Affirming (ONA) Statement

As a covenant community we are committed to the belief
that all people are created equal before God.

In affirmation of the inclusive love of Christ Jesus,
we welcome persons of any race, gender, age, sexual orientation,
ability and economic circumstance to full participation in our community
life and ministry.

We strive to reflect these beliefs in the language
and content of our worship and in our lives together.

 

 SAVE THE DATE - Sunday February 7, 2010 - ONA Sunday

A worship service marking the 10th Anniversary of our ONA vote will take place in the sanctuary at 10 am.  The service will include special music, liturgy and messages about our ONA ministry and our church's commitment to God's Extravagant Welcome.

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25 Years of ONA in the MA CONFERENCE UCC

OUR CHURCH will CELEBRATE 10 YEARS of ONA in 2010!

2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the passage of the first-ever ONA resolution passed by a Conference annual meeting in the UCC, which happened right here in Massachusetts.  The 1984 Annual Meeting Resolution coined the term "Open and Affirming," and led, the following year, to the national Open and Affirming Resolution that started the ONA Program in the UCC.  The aniversary was celebrated this year at the Conference Annual Meeting in Worcester October 16-17, 2009.  The first ONA churches were listed nationally in 1987.  Our church was ONA church #322, listed in 2000.  There are now over 800 asctive ONA churches in the UCC.  Our church will celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2010. 


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VOICES RISING Concert - Saturday, Jan 23, 4pm in the Sanctuary


Hear the women of Voices Rising in a concert titled "Where the Heart Is - Songs to Carry You Home."  What a great way to celebrate our 10th ONA Anniversary!


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PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS - Subscribe to SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER’S NEWSLETTERS


Here’s a great way to keep up with the activities of groups that threaten the rights of individuals and groups because of their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion.

Go to http://www.splcenter.org/center/subscribe.jsp

The Southern Poverty Law Center, founded in 1971, by Morris Dees and Joseph Levin, is internationally known for its tolerance education programs, its legal victories against white supremacists and its tracking of hate groups. It publishes “Teaching Tolerance,” an educational program to help K-12 teachers foster respect and understanding in the classroom.

(information from the Center’s website http://www.splcenter.org/center/about.jsp)

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