wfn.org | UCC - LGBT Coalition energizes ONA expansion

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> LGBT Coalition energizes ONA expansion

> Written by Jeff Woodard
> June 26, 2006

Renewing a call for HIV/AIDS advocacy and aiming to double the number of ONA churches in five years, the National Gathering of the UCC's Coalition for LGBT Concerns concluded Thursday morning its three-day, pre-General Synod meeting in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"We haven't been speaking much of HIV/AIDS lately," said Ruth Garwood, Executive Director of the Coalition. "It's about reaching out. We need referrals to resources, and we need to get very particular ideas about what ONA churches are doing on that front."

About 150 people participated in more than 20 workshops on issues focusing on racism, transgender concerns, ONA participation and messaging campaigns, said Garwood. "We'd reached 700 ONA churches by 2007, and we're aiming to have 1,400 by 2012. The Coalition has 2.75 staff people. To that extent, we are limited in what we can do. We have hundreds of coalition volunteers all over. Our emphasis there is on training."

A primary focus was on open-and-affirming development, and what churches can do as their next step, said Garwood. "We had hoped to draw more people from ONA churches, and we did. We had a lot of first-timers, and a lot of LGBT-affirming straight folks. I'd say they made up at least one-quarter of the group. We are grateful for their advocacy and participation."

Hector Lopez ? retired Conference Minister for the Central Pacific Conference and the first Latino ordained in the UCC ? was the keynote speaker for the National Gathering. Keynoting the ONA banquet was outgoing UCC General Minister and President John Thomas. Among plenaries was a session focused on the continued push for ONA churches to add gender identity to their language.

Garwood cited Plymouth Congregational UCC in Grand Rapids as generating additional ministries specifically because of ONA. "They have been ONA a long time. They have a prison ministry that they attributed to energy gathered by the ONA process. It stimulates some new interests in ministries beyond issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, which is one of the things we love about it."

The Coalition is also rolling out a new identity DVD about its history and mission. Titled
"Gathered Here," it runs 10 minutes and is available to Synod-goers who visit the Coalition's booth. "It's a great way to tell your church about the Coalition," said Garwood.
The 2010 National Gathering will be held in San Diego July 15-18.