News from the Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance

Contents: Summer 2008

New Ideas Developed to Assist O&A Congregations

- by Casey Williams, O&A Ministry Team Leader

The Open and Affirming Ministry Team met July 10-13 in a cozy cabin in Oklahoma and, after battling thunderstorms, spent time in fellowship and organized a two year plan with our National Field Organizer, Anita Bradshaw. Sharing goals for the next two years, Anita led a brainstorming session about the role of the O&A Team in the achievement of those goals. Breaking down personal as well as team goals, the team explored what could be accomplished as a volunteer organization.

One exciting day was spent re-evaluating and re-envisioning the O&A packets. The wealth of information provided to congregations entering into the conversation of becoming Open & Affirming was divided into three separate packets.

The first packet, the introduction packet, will be sent to those just beginning the conversation. Congregations deciding to continue the conversation will be sent additional information in a second packet designed to help this process forward. This packet will also be available to those congregations who have already begun the process on their own and are looking for additional information.

When a congregation completes the O&A process and therefore choosing to become an O&A congregation, the third “welcoming” packet will be sent.

These are the congregations that have supplied the O&A Team with the appropriate information to be included on our O&A Ministry List.  These ministries are at the GLAD banquet and listed on our website

This packet provides further information and resources to move the conversation to: “Where do we go from here?” to live out their status as O&A in the life of the Church. These packets will be completed and ready for viewing at the next General Assembly and O&A Aftersession.

The GLAD O&A Team believes the next two years will be a wonderful experience as we work in partnership with Anita as our National Field Organizer. This important time with her, hearing her plans for the wider GLAD community has greatly energized the O&A Team. Please keep watch for coming events as we approach General Assembly! The O&A team is planning a wonderful Aftersession to raise the excitement within the entire GLAD community!