We are an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation!

This means more than simply that we believe ourselves to be a welcoming congregation. Most churches claim that “all are welcome,” but we have taken steps to ensure that we mean it when we say, “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at St. Paul’s Church.” 

We are a congregation of the United Church of Christ. In our tradition, the ONA designation is earned through an intentional process of learning, studying scripture, dialogue, and a congregational vote. We listened to people and families tell stories of religious exclusion based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family configuration, race, spiritual history, and more. LGBTQ+ members of the congregation shared their stories. We gathered to explore the scriptures to better understand the cultural and linguistic dimensions of certain passages. We examined our mission as a congregation called to witness to Christ’s Way in our community and society. We prayed, dialogued, listened for the Holy Spirit, and on Sunday March 2, 2025 the congregation voted to become an ONA congregation. 

You may read our ONA Covenant Statement below. This covenant means that we express our commitment to extravagant welcome and inclusion as a promise to God!

                               St. Paul’s Church Open & Affirming Covenant

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another as I have loved you. By this, everyone will know you are my disciples if you love one another." – John 13:34-35

St. Paul’s UCC strives to live out Christ’s teachings by embracing every person, no matter who they are or where they are on their life’s journey. 

As an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation, we believe that every person, regardless of race, culture, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, family configuration, education, economic status, or spiritual and religious traditions, is a beloved child of God. 

We are called to follow Jesus’ path of love, justice, and inclusion by extravagantly welcoming all who seek God. We affirm them as a child of God by nurturing their gifts and inviting them to participate fully in the life, leadership, ministry, and mission of this church. We commit ourselves to the ongoing work of being an ONA congregation, relying upon the unconditional nature of God’s love and grace to be our help and guide.