The past year has been a time of discernment, discussion and prayer, as the congregation considered what is meant by Open and Affirming, or ONA. The final step in the process is to draft and vote on an ONA statement, which is unique to each congregation. At the Junual congregational meeting, a draft ONA statement was presented. At that meeting, the congregational consensus was to complete the ONA process by the fall of 2013. To that end, the ONA Exploratory Committee recommended to the Church Council that the Statement be put to a congregational vote, and the recommendation was accepted at the August Council meeting.

Therefore, the Church Council of the Little Home Church by the Wayside, UCC, offers the following ONA Statement for a decision on adoption by the membership:

"The Little Home Church by the Wayside, UCC, is an Open and Affirming congregation. We accept, embrace and affirm the dignity and worth of every person, as we are all created in God's image. Persons of every race, ethnic background, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, size and weight, socioeconomic background, marital status and faith background are welcome to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, and blessings of participation in our congregation.

The Vision for the Little Home Church is, 'Celebrating and Sharing God's Love in Christ.' In our individual faith journeys and in our congregational efforts to live out our Vision, we strive for justice and equality for all of God's children. Wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."

Each member is entitled to one vote. Per our By-laws, adoption of this ONA Statement requires a simple majority of a quorum, which is further defined as 20% of the membership. Thus, of our 246 members, a minimum of 49 members must respond. Once the quorum is met, a simple majority will decide if the Statement is adopted or not.

On September 9, 2013, ballots will be mailed to every member, according to the address on file with the church office. Completed ballots can be delivered or mailed to the church office, but all ballots must be returned or postmarked by September 30, 2013. Ballots will be counted at the Church Council meeting on October 8, 2013, and the results will be announced in church on Sunday, October 13.

At the August Council meeting, two comments were made that served as codas to the ONA process. In response to a discussion about future plans should ONA pass, Treasurer Art Zwemke suggested that the ONA designation is somewhat like an "enabling ordinance." It creates the atmosphere in which future action can take place, but it doesn't specify what that action will be. The second interesting point involved our By-laws. Susi Winquist, our Moderator Elect, mentioned that she had been rereading the By-laws, and she noted this pertinent passage in Section C of Article IV. Faith and Covenant:

"...We covenant among ourselves and with God to make a difference in the lives of others who experience injustice and violence in our nation and the world. Affirming Christ's commandment to love one another, we pledge our means, minds, hands and hearts to this endeavor."

The ONA process has generated much energy, discussion, thoughts, and prayer. As we consider the ONA Statement and cast our votes, we will complete the process. I hope you will attend worship on October 13 to learn of the results.

Anne Bouchard, chairperson

Carol Berger, Jen Gatsch, Kathy Haben, Judy Hopkins, 

Lori Haseltine, Ann McLaughlin, Marilyn Poole, Nancy Schatzeder, Wally Setlock, Jane Shelton

You can always find more information about ONA on the UCC website: http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/ona.html