This ONA Covenant is our church’s public declaration and formal commitment to the full inclusion of our LGBTQIA+ siblings in all aspects of its ministry and community life. As you read this ONA statement, we hope it conveys the open hearts, welcoming arms, and a community with varied religious affiliations that have interwoven to make BFCC the unique church it is today. We set out to make it abundantly clear that Black Forest Community Church is currently a safe spiritual home and will dedicate itself to ensuring it remains one for all LGBTQIA+ individuals, children, youth, and families.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another.” John 13:34 (NIV)
At Black Forest Community Church (BFCC), we honor the individuality of all who walk through our doors. As part of our ONA covenant, BFCC is a church that embraces, creates a safer space for, supports, and listens to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA), questioning, nonbinary, pansexual, two-spirit, or other gender identity and gender expression guests and members. BFCC seeks out opportunities to support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through affirmation of their full partnership and leadership.
BFCC is part of the United Church of Christ. The church itself, the pastoral care team, board members, worship attendees, support staff, and enrolled members had long considered themselves a “welcoming” church. In response to harmful rhetoric against the LGBTQIA+ community, BFCC recognized the urgent need to create a safer space. BFCC received its ONA designation in 2017.
BFCC takes immense pride in our ONA designation. It is a clear affirmation to our LGBTQIA+ siblings that we uphold their rights and families with abundant love and support. In that same spirit, BFCC also opens its arms and extends its resources to the larger population of marginalized communities seeking an inclusive church home. BFCC commits to reflecting the spirit of Jesus, both in word and deed, in our interactions with one another and beyond the church, regardless of race, culture, age, ethnicity, national origin, residency status, family configuration, economic circumstance, religious preference, and physical, cognitive, or emotional abilities.
Our leadership, board members, and congregation are committed to maintaining a safe and open environment. We empower individuals to confidently voice any concerns, hurts, acts of injustice, discrimination, or harmful words and behavior to a church representative of their choosing, trusting that their grievance will be overseen with respect, confidentiality, and thoroughness. We practice transparent and approachable leadership, holding ourselves and one another accountable to support the safety and well-being of our congregation.
Bayard Rustin (Civil Rights Activist, Advisor to MLK Jr., Black, Openly Gay)
“God does not require us to achieve any of the good tasks that humanity must pursue. What God requires of us is that we not stop trying.”
Harvey Milk (Visionary Civil and Human Rights Leader, Politician, Openly Gay)
“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.”
Black Forest Community Church, United Church of Christ, stands as a light in the forest. We, in the spirit of Jesus’ great commandments to love God and our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:28-34) and Paul’s teaching of acceptance of one another (Romans 14:1-15: 13) feel called to welcome, affirm, and support all persons of every race, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, economic status, nationality, sexual orientation or identity into the full life and ministry of this community of faith, including membership and leadership. We welcome and embrace the God-given gifts that each person brings to the life of our congregation, regardless of where they are in their faith journey. Our goal is to become a more welcoming church.
As an Open and Affirming church, we join our sisters and brothers in the United Church of Christ and all persons who are committed to the struggle for justice, love and inclusiveness, with the example and teachings of Jesus Christ as our guide.
Allyship
There is no single approach to allyship, however, the below are insights from an ally within our congregation as gained throughout her continuous journey of learning.
Truly understanding sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression is a continuous process. This means actively:
Respecting Self-Identification: Honoring the specific language LGBTQ+ individuals use—or choose not to use—to describe themselves and their relationships.
Lifting Up Community Voices: Listening to and learning from the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.
Creating Safe Spaces: Using inclusive language and consistently respecting pronouns.
Acknowledging Intersectionality: Recognizing that LGBTQ+ individuals can hold multiple marginalized identities (e.g., based on race, ethnicity, or economic status).
Allyship requires active participation and showing up in both public and personal spaces.
1. Public Advocacy Efforts
Demonstrate your support by being present at civic and political events:
School Board Meetings
City Council Meetings
At the Ballot Box
Protests and Marches
2. Personal Commitment and Education
Action also presents as continuous self-improvement and outreach:
Challenging your own biases through self-reflection and learning.
Contacting elected officials to voice your opposition to anti-Trans legislation and support LGBTQ+ rights.
Sharing your knowledge by engaging friends and family in discussions about treating the LGBTQ+ community kindly, fairly, and confronting the injustices they experience.
LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide compared to their straight peers.
In 2023, 54% of LGBTQ youth reported self-harming within the past year.
Great resources:
The Trevor Project - Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young People