What does Immanuel mean when it says it is a church that is “Open and Affirming”?
Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. The “full life and ministry” includes the sacraments (i.e. baptism, communion), marriage and leadership roles. The concept of Open and Affirming is extended by Immanuel to include people of all differences including ethnic, racial, economic, etc.