June 9, 2021


Dear Members and Friends of the Hills Church,


Who are we? We are the Welcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force assembled by the Deacons to find expressions of welcome to the LGBTQ+ community as we celebrate a decade of being an Open and Affirming church (ONA). In June 2011, our congregation voted unanimously to become an ONA church, and we have been charged with identifying expressions of the welcoming concept in a manner that is agreeable to our congregation.


In April of this year, we sent out a piece in Voices from the Hills that began with memories of the large heart that graced the main entrance during Lent, and the Advent words of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy that earlier brought life to the front lawn. In that edition of Voices we asked for your feedback concerning signage and ways our congregation can be more welcoming. This letter summarizes the feedback we received, and updates you on our discussions. A link is provided HERE if you would like to read the full transcript of responses.


The general feedback received by the task force is summarized below:
  • All agreed with the welcoming concept.
  • Many responded that they want to maintain the general aesthetics of the church.
  • There was general enthusiasm for some sort of banner, colored strips, or rainbow-colored Adirondack chairs.
  • Some were concerned that the visual display not inadvertently exclude anyone or any group.
  • Some questioned the need for any signage other than “All are welcome here” or a statement that focuses on the love of Jesus.


Based on the feedback we received, we are taking the following next steps:
  1. We approved purchase by the Spiritual Care Support Board (Deacons) of four multicolored Adirondack-style chairs. They have been ordered, and the plan going forward is that they will be set up around mid-June when they are due to arrive and will be used around the church campus as demand and the seasons dictate.
  2. The task force also approved the display of a banner on the exterior wall of Wallace Chapel. The banner will be displayed during the week leading up to the celebration of our tenth anniversary of being an ONA congregation on June 13th, and into the summer months.
  3. Finally, we have discovered upon close inspection that the sign on the front lawn is rotting, in disrepair, and needs replacement. With a new sign, the task force recommends the addition of a rainbow strip as a welcoming cue.


Our task force intends to continue the work of welcoming diversity, equity, and inclusion. Among other things that need to be decided are the appropriate messages of inclusivity and welcome, if they do not already exist, in the welcoming remarks of the clergy during worship, the website, and all Hills Church communications. Although the work of the original ONA committee focused solely on LGBTQ+ issues, our present task force may become the umbrella to hold both the expression of our commitment to ONA and to racial justice.


As we wrote in our earlier Voices piece, the Hills Church hopes to be welcoming to all and to communicate to the world what we believe: Love is at the center of our ministry, and we want to share the joy of church life. Things will likely change, and our expressions of welcome will have to keep pace, but we go forward with great hope, guided by the prophet Micah’s words, “. . . what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)


Yours in faith,

Mimi D’Angelo (co-chair email link)      
Pete Pedersen (co-chair email link) 

Mary Hill Canavan  
Kelly Ford                                  
Anne Marie Holloway                 
Gary McCabe                               
JoAnna McKinney               
Steven Patrick                                
Katie Pedersen                                
Lucy Sur                                          
Judy Swahnberg                              
Anna Thomas                                    
Sally Tomasetti                                
Matt Wooster