LGBT Resources

UCC Resources carries ONA and other LGBT related published by the UCC, Pilgrim Press and the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns.

Open and Affirming Study Packet – a resource for the ONA study process!

FREE Pastoral Coaching Pastoral Coaching Program will support UCC clergy in expanding their leadership. It will equip participating pastors with necessary skills to make room from their genuine selves and gifts. We will match you with trained coaches who are pastors too and can relate to different ministries and calls. Once you are selected and match with a coach, Proyecto Encuentros will pay for you to have 5 sessions. Contact Rhina Ramos at ramosr@ucc.org to apply

Download a copy of the UCC Resources and Publications catalog related to LGBT concerns

Building an Inclusive Church – training and toolkit resources for preparing and facilitating the ONA process

Open and Affirming in the UCC
Stay up-to-date on the progress of the Open and Affirming Program, LGBT advocacy opportunities, and what our office and others are doing for and with the LGBT community.

UCC policy statements on sexual orientation and gender identity by national bodies

LGBT History Timeline
A timeline of events related to the LGBT community from 1925 to the present.

William R Johnson Scholarship
established to encourage and support qualified openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender UCC Master of Divinity candidates.

Bible:

Now, No Condemnation by Rev. Paul Sherry, past President of the UCC.  This is a pastoral letter written to the church (November 1998) on the rights of LGBT persons in society and inclusion in the full mission and ministry of the UCC.

Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality by Walter Wink, PhD (1935-2012), Auburn Theological Seminary, New York, NY

What the Bible Says–and Doesn’t Say–About Homosexuality, by Rev. Mel White, founder of Soul Force and former ghost writer for several well-known American evangelicals.

DVD Resources (Order online or call: 800-537-3394)

bi-sex’u-al and A Position of Faith (DVD) 
These two videos about sexual orientation are combined into one DVD.

bi-sex’ u-al was created to encourage dialogue about bisexual orientation and identification. This video will not answer all questions about bisexuality. It is an introduction to three individuals through their own stories of faith and sexuality.  We hope it will inspire you to think deeply about these stories, and your own story, in the light of faith.

A Position of Faith On June 25, 1972, William (Bill) R. Johnson became the first openly gay person to be ordained to the Christian ministry. This video tells the story of this landmark event and the process that made it possible. The story is poignant and inspirational, and includes a letter from Bill Johnson’s mother, interviews with Bill, young people and church leaders (clergy and lay), who either supported or opposed Bill’s candidacy.

Download the Discussion Guide here.  Order DVD Now

Call Me Malcolm
One man’s struggle with faith, love and gender identity.

Order DVD Now

Download Study Guides
Brief Discussion Guide
6 Session Study Guide
Cover-6 Session Study Guide

Articles

Transgender Day of Remembrance [PDF]
November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance. This PDF is a pastoral letter and prayer from the UCC’s LGBT Ministries Office.

A Prayer in Silence
Students and teachers nationwide observe a day in silence in April to echo the silence that LGBT and ally students face everyday. The Day of Silence is one of the largest student-led actions in the country. For more information go to: www.dayofsilence.org.

Out in Scripture
This Human Rights Campaign resource places weekly comments about the Bible alongside real life experiences and concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of faith and our allies.

The Institute for Welcoming Resources LGBT resources listing.

Links