RESOURCES FOR ONA CHURCHES
 
JANUARY 12, 2017

LEARN AND ACT
New webinars in February, March for your congregation!
Is your congregation already Open and Affirming, and wondering what's next? Or are you just taking your first steps towards an ONA covenant? The ONA Coalition provides a full range of webinars for ONA and not-yet-ONA congregations. Leader is Andy Lang, the Coalition's executive director and an experienced church communications professional. We promise you'll fine at least one webinar that meets your church's needs!

Feb. 7 or March 7

How can your congregation design an ONA process that builds consensus and reduces the risk of conflict? Learn from the experience of congregations that discovered their ONA commitment gave their church new energy, direction and purpose.
Feb. 14 or March 14

Out of 31,000 verses in the Bible, just eight are a stumbling block for churches that want to welcome and support their LGBTQ members and neighbors. But what else does the Bible say about our relationships? How can the Bible help a church explore the basic values that inform a conversation about human sexuality and gender identity?
Feb. 21 or March 21

Open and Affirming churches can grow--if they are visible, confident and persistent in their witness. This webinar distills the best practices learned from the experience of growing ONA congregations, including tips on communication, marketing, advocacy and personal evangelism.


We've priced these webinars so they're affordable for any congregation! Deep discounts are available for three or more participants at a single computer. Please share this information with your Conference and Association!

Transgender rights are in danger!
While President-elect Trump says he supports marriage equality, he has also pledged to reverse the executive order that requires public schools to allow transgender students access to bathrooms that conform to their gender identity. Lawmakers in three states are already considering laws that will ban transgender residents from bathrooms of their choice. In Wisconsin, the state government is threatening to eliminate coverage for gender-reassignment surgery in the insurance plan for state employees. In December, a federal court ruled against provisions in the Obama Administration's interpretation of the Affordable Care Act that protect transgender Americans from discrimination in health care. And the right of transgender Americans to change the gender listed on their passports is also at risk. In the coming months, you ONA congregation should be finding ways to let your transgender neighbors know you're in their corner! We'll continue to report on these and other issues in RIPPLES and on the Coalition's Facebook page!
     LEARN MORE
Scholarships for LGBTQ seminarians
The William R. Johnson Scholarship for LGBTQ seminarians in the United Church of Christ is now open for applications!
Thank you, Coalition supporters!
The old year ended with a surge in contributions to support the Open and Affirming movement. While fundraising is a non-stop effort for any non-profit like the Coalition, your support in 2016 gives us hope that we can confidently meet the challenges 2017 will bring. Your gifts, your prayers, and your commitment to ONA ministry in your local congregation are making a difference! Know that we are grateful for what you have done, and will do in the coming year, to build a world where everyone is welcome, and no one is left behind!
WELCOME

Join with ONA churches around the country to celebrate the newest members of our growing family! Here are the 11 churches we've welcomed since the last issue of RIPPLES. We'll resume our daily Facebook party for new ONA congregations in March, beginning with #1380. As you can see, we jumped ahead in the queue to welcome ONA Church #1400!

ONA Church #1400
Punta Gorda Congregational UCC
Punta Gorda, FL

ONA Church #1379
First UCC
Orlando, FL

ONA Church #1378
Mystic Congregational UCC
Mystic, CT

ONA Church #1377
Second Congregational Church UCC
Jeffersonville, VT

ONA Church #1376
Embrace UCC
Bedford, TX

ONA Church #1375
First Congregational Church
Hartland, VT

ONA Church #1374
Old South Church
Windsor, VT

ONA Church #1373
South Church, UCC
East Hartford, CT

ONA Church #1372
Center Congregational Church UCC
Manchester, CT

ONA Church #1371
United Community Church, UCC
Saint Johnsbury, VT

ONA Church #1370
Zion UCC
Tonawanda, NY

ONA Chuch #1369
Packanack Community Church
Wayne, NJ
MEET
Has your Conference, Association or Congregation scheduled a regional ONA event? Share the news with us, and we'll publicize it here! Click on each title for more information.
Events Calendar

ONA 101 Webinar
Feb. 7, 2017 at 7 pm EST
Registration to come

ONA and BIBLE Webinar
Feb. 14, 2017 at 7 pm  EST
Registration to come

ONA 201 Webinar
Feb. 21, 2017 at 7 pm  EST
Registration to come

Gateway ONA Gathering
March 4, 2017
St. Louis, MO

ONA 101 Webinar
March 7, 2017 at 7 pm  EST
Registration to come

ONA and BIBLE Webinar
March 14, 2017 at 7 pm  EST
Registration to come

ONA 201 Webinar
March 21, 2017 at 7 pm  EST
Registration to come

National ONA Gathering
June 27-29, 2017
Baltimore, MD

General Synod ONA Banquet
July 2, 2017
Baltimore, MD 
GIVE
We need your help: now more than ever!
The ONA Coalition serves the largest and fastest-growing LGBTQ-affirming church movement in the world! But this mission depends on financial support from ONA churches and individuals.  The Coalition is an independent non-profit: we're not part of the UCC's national office, and national funding accounts for just five percent of our budget. Will you help us reach our goal: a church that isn't just 26% but 100% Open and Affirming? Help us help the ONA movement grow! Your safe online contribution is tax-deductible. 
JOIN
Help us build a movement!

If you've subscribed to RIPPLES, you're already part of a growing movement that is transforming our church, our nation and our world! But you can help us grow:

1. Use the social media buttons at the top of this page to share RIPPLES via email and your favorite social media! Encourage your friends to subscribe!

2. Complete this form on the Coalition website! The information you share about your needs and interests will guide us as we build the resources, training programs and events that will help the ONA movement become even more powerful and relevant!
Open and Affirming Coalition | United Church of Christ | 216-926-6262
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