OPEN AND AFFIRMING 

Many churches make a blanket statements, such as, "We welcome everyone" or "All are already welcome here."  However, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons don't always feel that the words "everyone" or "all" include them.

To erase any doubt about being a church that is open to and affirming of LGBT people, UCC churches can choose to declare themselves Open and Affirming (ONA).  A resolution from General Synod 15 encourages local congregations to adopt a Covenant of Openness and Affirmation of persons of lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientation.  In addition, General Synod 24 called for the full welcome and affirmation of transgender persons in all areas of the UCC.  Open and Affirming churches help eliminate the notion that "Christians think that being gay is sinful."

The Open and Affirming Program of the United Church of Christ is maintained by the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns.

The following UCC churches in the Florida Conference have declared themselves Open and Affirming:

Faith United Church of Christ (Clearwater)

Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ (Coconut Grove)
Coral Gables Congregational Church (Coral Gables)
New Hope United Church of Christ (DeLand)

Church of the Palms (Delray Beach)
First Congregational Church (Fort Lauderdale)
Pilgrims' United Church of Christ (Fruitland Park)  NEW!
United Church of Gainesville (Gainesville)

Riverside United Church of Christ (Jacksonville)
First Congregational Church (Lake Helen)
Christ Congregational Church (Miami)

Miami Beach Community Church (Miami Beach)
Hope Unites (Orlando)
Good Samaritan Church (Pinellas Park)

Pilgrim Church (St. Augustine)
Lakewood United Church of Christ (St. Petersburg)

Trinity United Church of Christ (St. Petersburg)

First Congregational United Church of Christ (Sarasota)
St. Andrew United Church of Christ (Sarasota)
United Church in Tallahassee (Tallahassee)
First United Church of Tampa (Tampa)
God-Talk @ USF: A Progressive Christian Student Organization (Tampa / University of South Florida)
Coral Isles Church (Tavernier)

Union Congregational Church (West Palm Beach)

Trinity Congregational Church (Winter Haven)