Open and Affirming

We at The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ seek to welcome all God’s people into our fellowship, to minister to one another’s needs and provide opportunities for every person’s full participation in the life and mission of this congregation.

As an Open and Affirming congregation, we recognize the diversity of human nature to be part of God's creation and are committed to being inclusive of all persons regardless of age, race, gender, cultural or faith background, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity, mental or physical ability, marital status, economic circumstances, or political affiliation, and affirm all families and relationships founded on love, respect, responsibility and trust. 

As a United Church of Christ congregation ministering in this southern Arizona borderland, where cultural, racial, and religious diversity converge, we also affirm that part of our mission is to work for a just and loving world, giving recognition to all human needs in this unique time and place.

We, as a people who seek to follow Jesus example of “Extravagant Welcome,” invite all, no matter where they are on their faith journeys, into the full life and ministry of this congregation.

Since voting nearly unanimously to become an ONA congregation within the UCC, we have focused our attention on inclusion of all who are diverse, with a special emphasis on those in the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) communities. 

In order to continue to increase our awareness and become even more welcoming, the Open and Affirming/Diversity Committee has presented panel dialogues with LGBTQ members at our church and from the broader community.  Also, in 2010, we presented a panel on homelessness in the Santa Cruz Valley and have identified needs to be addressed in Green Valley, Sahuarita and points south.

Activities for 2011-2012

As part of our youth programming, The Good Shepherd is now hosting a brand-new Gay-Straight Alliance open to youth aged 8-18 from Sahuarita and the broader community.

The youth and ONA/Diversity Committee have continued to monitor the response of Anza Trails Middle School staff to bullying of gay students.  We have explored offering a learning program for staff and students.

The congregation generously responded to an offering request for the UCC Coalition on LGBT Concerns, which supports churches around the country who have decided to engage in becoming Open and Affirming and

We plan two educational focuses for this year: (1) a multi-part series on the U.S. criminal justice system, beginning with presentations and dialogue on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 5:00 p.m and five Sunday evening sessions (also at 5:00 p.m.) beginning January 8, 2012, exploring the issue in-depth, and (2) a spring event focused on the challenges faced by those who are transgender or are in the transition process.