The retirement of Andy Lang as the ONA Coalition’s Executive Director

Dear Open and Affirming family:

I’m writing with the news that I will retire from my ministry as Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition effective at the end of this year.

Serving the Coalition for more than a decade has been the greatest experience in my life. When the United Church of Christ called me to public ministry nearly 30 years ago, I had no idea my path would take me to leadership in the Coalition. Along the way, I have been inspired, supported, educated and transformed by many in the church, especially by members of the Coalition’s Leadership Team, past and present.

My retirement is still several months away, and I’m looking forward to all that we will accomplish together in those months. We are working with a churchwide coalition of activists who are organizing to oppose laws in many states that are attacking the dignity and humanity of transgender and nonbinary Americans, especially youth and their families. We will continue to offer our expanded series of webinars that have become critical part of our momentum as a growing movement. And we are continuing to support existing ONA churches with resources and training programs to open up new paths towards spiritual and membership growth.

I will join you on August 5-7 when our National ONA Gathering celebrates the 50th anniversary of our movement’s foundation and the ordination of Bill Johnson as the first openly gay man approved for ministry in an historic Protestant church.

The Coalition’s Leadership Team is now preparing for the transition, including the search for new staff leadership. I hope you will support them with your prayers as the Coalition celebrates its past and turns towards its future.

With every blessing,

Andy Lang
Executive Director
Open and Affirming Coalition
United Church of Christ
ed@openandaffirming.org

Pronouns: he, him, his