What is the Open & Affirming Process?

For six weeks after worship on Sundays, March 10th - April 14th, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., the Evergreen Christian Church congregation is gathering over lunch to explore how as a community of faith we can best live out God's call and follow Christ's way in discipleship as it relates to the inclusion of God's diverse creation.  This process focuses on exploring and developing an affirming inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals and families, who have been historically and continue today to be persecuted by the wider Church across various denominations and non-denominationally affiliated churches. 

This is a six-week process culminates with an Affirmation and Confirmation ritual on Easter Sunday, April 21st, to determine if Evergreen Christian Church will become an Open and Affirming designated church. In The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Open and Affirming Ministries commit to openly welcome and affirm persons of all gender expressions and sexual orientations to the table of Christ's communion and to the full life and leadership of the Christian Church. 

You are encouraged to participate in the full six-week process. We will post weekly updates of our progress and resources here for those unable to attend and for the wider community.

We welcome your comments of support and questions about the process or what Open & Affirming means.

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