Two men getting marriedMarriage is one of the most significant institutions in our culture and we uphold the beliefs of the United Church of Christ, a denomination that built and worshipped here for over 100 years. We welcome clients and guests of all races, religions, backgrounds and sexual orientations. Open and Affirming is the way many in the United Church of Christ (UCC) declare welcome and inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), same gender loving (SGL) persons into the full life and ministry of the church.

The first national UCC body to affirm civil rights for LGBT people did so in 1969.  The Council for Christian Social Action, a predecessor body to Justice and Witness Ministries adopted the “Resolution on Homosexuals and the Law.” In 1972, the UCC ordained the first openly gay person into ministry, the Rev. William R. Johnson. In 1985, the UCC’s General Synod declared itself to be “open and affirming” and called upon all settings of the church to become similarly poised to welcome LGBT persons as full members of the church.

Learn More about LGBT Ministries.