Focus on Faith

The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Open and Affirming resolution by General Synod which launched the ONA movement in the United Church of Christ. It is a time of celebration and transition as Interim Executive Director of the Coalition Gwen Thomas shares, “This past year of transition has put us in the perfect position to reinvent ourselves based on what we know about our strengths and challenges. We have an opportunity to create a new vision to shape and form and share with the world, just as our founders did before us.

Rabbi Steve Edelman-Blank very clearly remembers the interview for his current post at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Des Moines because it was the first weekend in April 2009 – and the Varnum v. Brien decision had just been made by the Iowa Supreme Court.

by Pastor Rachel T. Mithelman, St. John's Lutheran Church

When a  Unitarian Universalist church decides to become a welcoming congregation, they do more than throw open their doors. 

Rev. Doug Peters remembers exactly where he was when he heard the historic Iowa Supreme Court decision granting gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry. He was waiting at a stoplight going toward Walnut Hills United Methodist Church where he is pastor.

Rev. Brian Eslinger has been the minister at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames congregation since 1997. Along with encouraging diversity and care for the environment,  as a Welcoming Congregation, the church is home to LGBT people and their partners.