Our Open and Affirming Covenant

Our Open and Affirming Team at St. Stephen's UCC began its work in August 2022, sharing in the study of who we were as a people of faith; what was important to us; and why it was important to consider Open and Affirming status.

 

Our team then developed opportunities for learning, fellowship, conversation and study as we considered including St. Stephen's among the United Church of Christ congregations that share affirmation of and openness to the full participation of our siblings of faith in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and searching community.   

We started with a gathering of 40 or more members focused on why the public declaration of an Open and Affirming Church is important in today's world.

We followed this with several opportunites:

 

~Together we learned from each other in an opportunity to discuss the differences between being simply welcoming and sharing full affirmation for those who identify themselves as LGBTQIA. 

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~We provided opportunities to talk about our experiences with loved ones and other folks we know in the LGBTQIA community. 

 

~We learned about the rainbow flag and other symbols, and the many differences of perceptions in the LGBTQ community as to what they represent.

The second stage of our journey focused on the importance of biblical grounding and biblical translation.   

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We engaged in Bible Study-- looking specifically at more than 8 different passages of Scripture that reference words interpreted in modern parlance as "homosexuality."   Our studies were well attended with up to 20-25 in attendance.  We had robust conversation from different perspectives; learned more from the meanings of the words in question in the original biblical languages; and reflected upon what this learning meant for us being the church in the 21st Century.

Pastor Jeff then preached in worship on the Levitical Codes, Sodom and Gomorrah, and other passages from these scriptures, opening the learnings up to the community at large.

At the end of stage two, we polled the congregation and found 75% support toward continuing to explore an Open and Affirming Status.
 

The last stage of our process then began as we heard testimony in worship on diversity, acceptance, connection and accessibility, in particular drawing on testimony from one of our own members who reflected upon his experience growing up as a gay man  in the church and community and how important an Open and Affirming church can be in the lives of LGBTQIA people.  

As the journey moved along, we also participated in Perkasie Pride over the last 3 years and hosted the Perkasie Pride Movie Night.  The Perkasie Pride Team is also now meeting at St. Stephen’s.  In addition, we have extended our Clothing Closet Hours to the LGBTQ community for those seeking a safe venue to explore fashion.

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Finally, in late summer 2025, we began drafting a covenant for  Open and Affirming for St. Stephen’s UCC.  

 

The covenant was presented in worship over the last two Sundays of September with an opportunity for questions and clarifications.    The month of October was set as a period of discernment for the congregation.  During the month, those who supported the covenant were asked to sign a copy of the covenant and return it to the team.  The goal of 52 signatures from active members was set by the Consistory in our August meeting, representing 85% of our average worship attendance over the last year.  

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On November 9, 2025, the Team was pleased to report to the congregation that 76 active members of the congregations signed the covenant, representing 146% of our goal.  An additional 8 signatures were received from folks who worshiped with us through the month.

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The congregation then was invited to affirm the covnenant by declaring it aloud in worship for the first time:  

"...St. Stephen’s UCC covenants to be an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ."