by Casey Williams and Gilbert Jones, O&A Ministry Team
The Open & Affirming Ministry Team is dedicated to assisting Disciples congregations as they recognize their ministry of justice. The team has recognized the difficulty this process can present. Even after becoming an O&A congregation many feel somewhat isolated in the process and need communication with other O&A congregations to share experiences. The O&A Team has developed an exciting way to connect all O&A congregations by developing an online list-serve. Congregations contacting the O&A Team with interest in pursuing O&A status will have the option of connecting themselves to the list-serve where they will have the opportunity to post questions, listen to ideas, post joys and share concerns that they may have along the way. The list-serve will continue to be available for all Open & Affirming Congregations. This will be especially helpful for several O&A congregations that are the only one in their state or region, so that they too may be connected to other O&A congregations to share ideas, joys and concerns.
It is a goal of the O&A Ministry Team to find creative ways to connect all of our O&A congregations. This list-serve will be one method of connection. If you are part of an O&A congregation or are in a congregation that is beginning the process you can join the list by clicking here.
Another way to connect with Disciples around the country and word, the Open and Affirming Ministry Team has created a group on Facebook. We hope that this group will allow for anyone connected to or thinking about GLAD and O&A will be able to find this group. In this increasing digital age, it is vital that the church use any resources available. It is our hope that we can continue to foster connections between off year events and General Assemblies. There were over 40 members within the first 24 hours of the group’s creation and new members are added daily. This is an excellent way to disseminate information and foster interest in GLAD, O&A, and the National Field Organizer. We hope that we will continue to grow and that this will serve as a way for young and young at heart to connect and commune with one another in the digital age. Facebook is free to join. To create an account simply go to www.facebook.com and create an account, once you have an account click here to go to the O&A Ministry Team on Facebook. We hope to see everyone join this group soon!
| GLAD Alliance Inc. P.O. Box 44400 Indianapolis, IN 46244-0400 |
glad@gladalliance.org | return to www.gladalliance.org |