e-mail: stpaulsstoverstown@comcast.net
Pastor Martin e-mail:
pastorstpaulsstoverstown@comcast.net
St. Paul’s Open and Affirming (ONA) mission is
to extend a warm welcome to all those who seek a safe and loving
space for worship and a place to feel the presence of God. Our doors
are open to those in the LGBTQ community, as well as those of any
race, ethnicity, age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, ability, family composition, or church
experience or lack of church experience. No matter who you are, or
where your journey may be, St. Paul’s doors are open, with a warm
welcome, and a loving heart to greet you.
In 1985, the United Church of Christ's General
Synod adopted a resolution encouraging UCC congregations to welcome
gay, lesbian, and bisexual members, urging them to “Declare
Themselves Open and Affirming”. The national church developed the
UCC ONA Coalition to work with congregations through their
individual journeys. In 1987, the Coalition certified the first 15
ONA congregations. Today, over 1,500 congregations have declared
themselves Open and Affirming, which represents approximately 30% of
all UCC congregations.
In the fall of 2017, a group of St. Paul’s
members met to discuss the possibility of becoming an ONA
congregation. Under the leadership of Pastor Dave Martin, an ONA
team was developed, consisting of Pastor Dave, Deb Henry, Kathy
Sterrett, Jess Hoffman, and Joyce Kain. Our welcoming team started
by seeking the support of the church’s consistory (board), which had
already given permission for a same gender wedding in its sanctuary
earlier that year. With positive support from the consistory, the
team organized a series of events including a sharing of stories,
video Bible studies, outside presenters, and worship services.
Following these events, our welcoming team created a draft ONA
covenant, and a straw poll in August of 2019 was overwhelmingly in
favor of it. In October 2019, St. Paul’s voted 31-2 to adopt the
covenant. St. Paul’s became an official ONA congregation of the
United Church of Christ
Since the adoption of the ONA covenant, our
welcoming team has continued to meet in order to find the best ways
for us to journey forward as an ONA congregation. We believe
LGBTQ-affirming words and other actions are important! That’s why
we:
·
Offer
marriage ceremonies for same-gender couples
·
Are a voice in the York and
Harrisburg areas for LGBT rights
·
Participate in PFLAG, Equality and
Diversity festivals, workshops, and events
·
Network with other like-minded
churches and organizations
·
And there’s more! We welcome you,
your family and friends to visit…and to join us as we live together
in the Open and Affirming love of God!
As
people of faith and followers of Jesus Christ, we embrace and
celebrate the beautiful and amazing diversity of God’s children. We
believe that all people are created in the image of God and all are
worthy of God’s love and grace. Remembering that Jesus calls us to
love one another as he loves us, we welcome all people to St. Paul’s
UCC regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, ability, culture, economic status,
ethnicity, or family composition.
We recognize that there are differences among
us, but believe that we can love alike even though we may not think
alike. We proclaim this covenant of welcome to all who have known
the pain of exclusion or discrimination in church and society. We
invite all people to join us in our faith journey toward greater
love, understanding, and mutual respect.
You are welcome at St. Paul’s UCC!