We are about $18,000 in the red through June 30, 2012, about the same as last year at this time. We had forecast a mid-year deficit of about $7,000 and a $37,000 deficit for the full year. As usual, we have spent less than planned by $5,000, but our revenue is lagging by $16,000, of which $13,000 are pledges that we had forecast using a three year average.

The Peterson house on School Street has been spruced up and is listed for sale at $225,000. As you know, the housing market is slow and the sale may take awhile. In the meantime, we may need to draw against our new line of credit as needed unless we can repeat the $45,000 miracle experienced in 2011, which was instigated by a $15,000 Matching Grant and was followed by $30,000 of donations, above and beyond annual pledges.

Hopefully and prayerfully,

Art Zwemke, Treasurer

ONA...in the beginning

Second in a series by Anne Bouchard

anne.bouchard1@gmail.com  

As you know, our council recently voted to begin a process of discernment about becoming an Open and Affirming Congregation. So...just what are we talking about? What is Open and Affirming anyway, and how will it impact us at The Little Home Church? The UCC website defines Open and Affirming as follows:

"Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ's... 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."

This is about not discriminating against people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. For some of us, this might be the first time to talk openly about the sensitive topic of sexual orientation, while for others, it may feel like a conversation that is long overdue. No matter where you are on the spectrum, I hope you will participate fully and add your voice to the process.

If we become ONA, we will welcome and include all in our congregation, regardless of sexual orientation. Here are some additional specifics, as found under the Frequently Asked Questions section, also on the UCC website:

What does 'Open and Affirming' (ONA) mean? Reflecting the Open and Affirming action of the General Synod (1985) and the Transgender action of the General Synod (2003), to say that a setting of the UCC (a local church, campus ministry etc.) is 'Open and Affirming' means that it has publicly and specifically declared that those of all 'sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions' (or 'lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender' [LGBT] people) are welcome in its full life and ministry (e.g. membership, leadership, employment, etc.) It bespeaks a spirit of hospitality and a willingness to live out that welcome in meaningful ways...

What is the process for becoming ONA? Most local churches and many other settings engage in a time of study, prayer, and conversation before adopting an ONA statement. An average process is about 2 years. Each process is different in order to address the interests and concerns of the setting..."

Simply, ONA churches declare publicly--by way of adopting an ONA statement (more on that in a minute)--that they are welcoming, accepting and not discriminatory toward LGBT people.

So, what is an ONA Statement? Once again, I went to the UCC website, specifically, to the home page for The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns. The Coalition's web pages contain information about ONA statements and a reiteration of the general course of action churches follow as they determine whether or not to become ONA. Here are two pertinent questions and responses:

What is the essence of an ONA Statement? It declares a specific WELCOME to [LGBT] persons...into the full life and ministry of the church...

Can we simply say 'All people are welcome!'? No, not if you wish to be listed by the Coalition as an ONA church. Such general statements are already made by most Christian churches but... LGBT persons have learned from painful experiences that this message often does not mean [them]. ONA congregations are those willing to clarify their openness to and affirmation of [LGBT] persons as members of Christ's body."

Each congregation is responsible for writing its own statement and many examples are available for consideration. The point is to publicly declare welcome, acceptance and openness to LGBT people. Once the statement has been accepted and approved by the congregation, it is submitted to the Coalition to be posted so that the church can be listed as ONA. ONA churches live out their ONA declaration by fully including LGBT people into the church's life. How we as members of the Little Home Church pursue our commitment to inclusiveness and anti-discrimination remains to be determined. First things first; let us begin to understand the need.

This process is complicated by the probability of change, which in itself can be paralyzing. Martin B. Copenhaver, Senior Pastor, Wellesley Congregational Church, UCC, Wellesley, Massachusetts, recently wrote this daily devotional piece about change: 

Some in the congregation thought a wood stove would be an improvement, but others were dead set against this new technological intrusion in their sacred space. Eventually, the pro-stove contingent prevailed.

The first Sunday after the stove was installed some of those who had opposed the installation of the stove complained that the meeting house was too hot for them. The men started taking off their jackets and loosening their collars. Some of the women were furiously fanning themselves, trying to stay cool.

Lyman Beecher got into the pulpit and said, "You will notice that this is the first Sunday we have had our new stove. And next week we will put some wood in it and start a fire."

So, yes, people often resist change. But that is a particularly strange stance for people of faith. After all, we worship a God who declared, "See, I am doing a new thing," the same God who accepts us just as we are but also offers us transformation.

We each respond to change in our own way. It can be exciting and energizing or frightening and immobilizing. As we consider becoming an ONA church, I hope we will be open to the possibility of positive change, guided by faith and love rather than fear.

To read more of the FAQ's about ONA, check out this link: http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/ona.html or visit the Coalition home page at http://www.ucccoalition.org/.