Yesterday, we celebrated our designation as a congregation that is WISE about mental health. Today, we honor our identity as an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation since 2014! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Open and Affirming (ONA) Covenant
As an ONA congregation of the United Church of Christ, we affirm our Identity Statement:
We are the Church of the Open Door, a Christian community called by God through the life and teachings of Jesus to grow in Spirit, share our faith experiences, serve others, promote hope and peace in the world, and welcome all God’s people.
In worship and study, we explore and develop our understanding of God, our faith, our church, and ourselves.
In service and advocacy, we challenge injustice, deepen compassion, and work toward a fairer, more equitable world.
In relationships, we accept one another as we are, embracing physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and social diversity.
We celebrate diversity and welcome all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, creed, background, life experience, and physical or mental health and capability.
As we proclaim every Sunday: “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
WISE Covenant for Mental Health
A few weeks ago, our congregation voted to affirm a Covenant to become a Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged (WISE) congregation for mental health. Today, we are thrilled to announce that we are officially certified by the United Church of Christ Mental Health Network! 🎉
Special thanks to our Mental Health Task Force, our partners at NAMI Fox Valley and Samaritan, and everyone who shaped this vision of inclusion and compassion. ❤️🩹
Our WISE Covenant states: With God’s help, we commit to being a WISE congregation for mental health.
We recognize that many live with mental health conditions, brain disorders, and substance use challenges. Life events, stress, and loss can impact anyone.
With creativity, curiosity, and courage, we strive to provide a warm welcome, promote inclusion, and offer compassionate support to all facing mental health challenges and their loved ones.
We aim to promote understanding, confront fears of mental illness through education, and connect with organizations advocating for mental health.
Our goal is to create a safe, judgment-free space of belonging for all people, no matter where they are on life’s journey.
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