UPDATE:
Due to several requests for an extension, we are pleased to announce that we are extending the early bird registration and the first payment for those utilizing the payment plan.
You now have until July 31 to register at the reduced rate of $300 or to take advantage of the payment plan. Starting at 12:01 AM ET on August 1, the price will increase to $400.
Join Us for the 2024 Open and Affirming Coalition National Gathering!
Dates: September 18-22
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Theme: "Resistance and Persistence: Hope Reigns"
Scripture Reference: Romans 12:12 – “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.”
Early Bird Registration is only $300 and includes most meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches) AND your ticket to the ONA Gala—a short program, banquet meal, and dance party! For your convenience, we also offer a payment plan option with three $100 installments due on 7/31, 8/15, and 9/15.
As the social and political landscape shifts, particularly with the concerning anti-LGBTQ+ aspects of Project 2025, Agenda 47, and other anti-LGBTQ social and political ideas, the fight for justice intensifies. The Open and Affirming Coalition invites you to be a part of something powerful at the 2024 National Gathering. We are gathering LGBTQ+ people and their allies/accomplices together in person in Cincinnati, OH to rest, prepare, and plan how we resist hate, create a just world for all, and ensure brave and safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and those who love and support them.
We will gather, work, and discuss around the following themes:
Empowering Action: Building a More Just Future
Cultivating Resilience: Finding Strength Within
Faith and Policy: Intersectionality and Action
Living Hope in Action: Worship and Resistance
Anyone is welcome to join us, and we are encouraging each church to send two representatives. If you are struggling with the registration fee, please contact us at ONA@openandaffirming.org to discuss how we may be able to help.
We also invite you to submit a proposal that will inspire and equip attendees, particularly those within the LGBTQ+ community of faith and their allies/accomplices, to embrace hope, persevere through challenges, and actively work towards a future where love and justice prevail. Share your gifts with the community and be part of this transformative gathering.
Click here for more information on how you can present at the conference.
Register now and join us in Cincinnati for an unforgettable experience of hope, resilience, and community.
Registration for the 2024 National Gathering is NOW OPEN! Join them September 18-23, 2024 in Cincinnati, OH. You can register now at this link: 2024 ONA National Gathering Registration.
Early Bird Registration:
Cost: $300
Includes: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and a ticket to our gala with a banquet meal!
Payment Plan: We are offering the option to pay in three $100 installments.The Coalition encourages each church to send at least two representatives or ambassadors to the gathering. This event is a unique opportunity for churches to receive guidance on organizing and expanding their ONA missions. Attendees will be among the first to hear about and contribute to the future direction of the coalition.
Event Highlights:
Inspiring Keynote Speakers: Hear from thought leaders and change-makers who will inspire and challenge us to live out our affirming theology with courage and conviction.
State of the Movement Update: Gain insights from the Coalition’s Executive Director on the current state of the ONA movement and our strategic vision for the future.
Engaging Workshops: Participate in a variety of workshops designed to equip and empower you for effective ministry and advocacy.
Centering Worship Experiences: Join together in worship to renew your spirit and deepen your connection with God and the community.
Social and Fun Activities: Enjoy opportunities to socialize, have fun, and build lasting relationships with fellow attendees.
Don’t miss this opportunity to rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, and persevere in prayer with a vibrant and supportive community. Together, we will celebrate our past, embrace our present, and envision a hopeful future where love and justice prevail.
They are also working to organize churches into geographical networks, and your representatives will play a key role in this initiative. Additionally, this gathering provides a valuable opportunity for representatives to meet others in the field, fostering connections and sharing experiences that will enrich and inspire collective efforts as they set the tone and goals for the next phase of the Open and Affirming journey.
Mark your calendars and plan to be part of this transformative gathering!