Open & Affirming Meeting

O&A Process

Some of you may have heard about the Open & Affirming process we are starting as a congregation. Based on feedback from our Re-Centering process, there were folks who wanted to think more deeply together about how we can be a more hospitable and welcoming congregation specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community. A committee has formed, explored our denomination’s recommended resources, and getting ready to include the entire congregation in the process. 

Most of us already feel like we are a very welcoming and loving congregation (we are!) and so… how do we make sure those in our community/world truly know and trust that they would be welcome in our church? Many churches say they are “welcoming,” but in truth would not be so welcoming to those with a different sexual orientation, culture, or ability than them. Who are we as MCCC? 

The Open & Affirming process invites congregations to discern what kind of welcoming space we want to create and how we might share that welcome with the community around us. We understand that for some, welcoming the LGBTQIA+ community is a “non-issue” and for others there will be lots of questions, concerns, and perspectives. We want to make space for ALL to participate, learn, explore, and share their point of view. As a congregation we want to grow in knowledge and faith so we can continue to be a welcoming and accepting congregation. We want to really understand it, mean it, and live it when we say “All are Welcome at the Lord’s Table.”