On January 29th, 2012 our congregation voted "yes" on whether to adopt the Open & Affirming Resolution (shown below). We are now officially the 994th church to be "Open & Affirming" within the UCC denomination!
We're now also part of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns; you can learn more about the various programs, events & resources available on their dedicated website, as well as access to their national "Find A Church" resource page. Click here for the website UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns.
The Church of the Red Rocks started the Open & Affirming (ONA) Process in October 2010. This process was undertaken so that church members could learn who they are as a congregation. The Church's ONA Team stated its purpose as follows:
"We want to lead the congregation in a learning process to discover whether we, as a congregation, can declare ourselves to be Open and Affirming. With Gods grace, we seek to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, mental and physical ability, as well as racial, ethnic, political or socio-economic background. We welcome all to share fully in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation. No matter who you are or where you are on lifes journey, you are welcome here."
The Church of the Red Rocks ONA Team is to be congratulated on their excellent and thorough 15-month process that educated, informed and entertained both the congregation and members of the public.
The Church of the Red Rocks ONA Team Roster:
Susan Hughes, Chair
Susie Anderson
Marlene Auburn
Jessica Krawczykowski
Carol McDougald
Mariam Stein
Bruce Vegter
Bob Wheaton
Joan Scott
For much of the past year, on every 4th Friday of the month, the ONA Team endeavored to present an informative, usually award-winning and entertaining film in the Church's Painted Cliffs Hall.
A highlight of the "4th Friday at 4" screenings was the very first film presented, "For The Bible Tells Me So."Click here for film trailers, more information and to order a DVD of this popular, award-winning film.
A listing of this past year's ONA programs and events is available by clicking here; this information was also covered in the ONA Mailer that went out to all congregation members.
Click here for "The Blue Book - What We Wish We Had Known," a book about breaking the silence and moving toward understanding.
Click here for the Open and Affirming Process "FAQ" from the United Church of Christ website.
