From the UCC Open and Affirming Coalition:
Join us Aug. 5-7 for our first National ONA Gathering since 2019! Our virtual event celebrate the 50th anniversaries of the ONA Coalition and Bill Johnson's ordination as the first openly gay man authorized to serve an historic Christian church as a minister of word and sacrament.
From Friday to Sunday evenings, our celebration will offer inspiring worship, powerful testimonies, and stories from our growing movement. We'll honor the past, lift up the present, and claim our visions for the future.
The theme is "Shaping Generations: Queer Justice and Love in the UCC."
In this perilous time when God's LGBTQ+ children are again under attack--especially transgender and nonbinary youth who have been stigmatized by politicians and churches--we will gather in August to hope, dream and work for a future where everyone is wanted, everyone is needed, no one is abandoned because they are different.
Because this is a virtual event, registration should be within the means of any congregation. For those who for any reason cannot pay the fee, a free registration option is available with a suggested, but not required, donation.
This will also be the Rev. Andy Lang's last National Gathering as executive director. Andy will deliver a "State of the Movement" address Friday night.
If you've any questions or needs, please contact the Rev. Ellen Huffman at office@openandaffirming.org. And please share this email with your friends, family and colleagues!
UPDATED TO ADD:
Leaders include the Rev. Rhina Ramos (worship leader), Bishop Yvette Flunder (closing address and charge), the Rev. Bill Johnson and the Rev. Anne Holmes, and the Rev. Andy Lang (State of the ONA Movement).
The event will include an interviews with Bill Johnson and the Rev. Anne Holmes—the first openly lesbian woman ordained in the UCC in 1982.