2025 Open and Affirming National Gathering

THEME: Sacred Seen and Called: Living Our Truth, Embracing Our Light", inspired by Philippians 2:15... Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

Stay tuned for updates on our speakers and more—exciting details will be announced soon!

July 9-10, 2025 | Kansas City Downtown Marriott | Kansas City, MO
Held Just Before the United Church of Christ General Synod

For over 50 years, the Open and Affirming (ONA) Coalition has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church. In a time when our communities continue to face political and social threats, our gathering is more than an event—it is a movement, a celebration, and a call to action.

Why This Gathering Matters Now More Than Ever

We are living in a moment of intensifying attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, with discriminatory laws, religious exemptions that promote exclusion, and a resurgence of anti-queer rhetoric in churches and public policy. Across the country, LGBTQ+ people—especially trans and non-binary individuals—are being targeted by legislation that seeks to erase our existence and restrict our freedoms. These political and social threats are not abstract; they affect real people in real ways, making it even more urgent for faith communities to stand boldly in affirmation and justice.

This is why we gather. This is why we must worship, organize, celebrate, and build power together. Our faith demands that we show up—not just in times of ease, but in moments of struggle. We cannot afford to be silent.

The 2025 National Gathering is a time to:

🔹 Affirm Our Faith – Through worship and community, we will affirm that God’s love is for all people, and that no law, policy, or rhetoric can change the sacred worth of LGBTQ+ individuals.

🔹 Build Resilience – With workshops, strategy sessions, and leadership development, we will equip ourselves to push back against discrimination and injustice.

🔹 Celebrate Milestones & Inspire the Future – As we honor 40 years since the Open and Affirming resolution was passed at General Synod, 20 years since the marriage equality resolution was passed at General Synod, and 10 years since the Supreme Court Marriage Equality decision, we will also commit to the next generation of justice work.

What to Expect:

✅ Dynamic Speakers & Workshops – Engage with faith leaders, activists, and theologians addressing the urgent issues of our time.
✅ Powerful Worship – Celebrate and affirm God’s love for all people through uplifting and justice-centered worship experiences.
✅ State of the Movement Address – Gain insights from the ONA Coalition’s leadership on the future of our movement.
✅ Community Connection & Celebration – Meet ONA advocates from across the country, share best practices, and build lasting relationships.

Why Attend?

💡 Churches, send at least one representative! Every ONA church is encouraged to send at least one person to be part of shaping the next chapter of this movement.

💡 If your church is still discerning its ONA commitment, this is the perfect opportunity to learn, grow, and take the next steps toward a more just and inclusive future.

Hotel Info:
The gathering will take place at the Kansas City Downtown Marriott. Our discounted room block at the Marriott is now full, but you still may be able to book a room there or at many other available hotels nearby.

Registration:

Full registration: $250 (includes four meals)

One-day pass for July 10 (includes breakfast and lunch): $125 limited availability

We do not profit from the National Gathering—registration fees cover food and meeting expenses. We rely on the generosity of churches and individual donors to make this work possible. To support seminarians, seniors, and others who may need assistance, please consider adding a donation at checkout. Your generosity helps ensure that all who wish to attend can do so.

If you are attending the general synod you will need to register at GeneralSynod.org to receive the hotel booking link for that block. Availability is on a first come first serve basis and we have no assistance to offer with that hotel information.

Stay tuned for updates on our speakers, schedule, and more—exciting details will be announced soon!

This is More Than a Conference—It’s a Call to Action

LGBTQ+ people are not going anywhere. Our faith is not up for debate. Our dignity is not conditional. And our movement is not slowing down. The 2025 Open and Affirming National Gathering is where we will reclaim our power, strengthen our commitment, and proclaim—without apology—that God’s love is for ALL.

Now is the time to show up. Now is the time to stand together.

Schedule at a Glance
[tentative and subject to change]

Wed, July 9

10:00 AM Registration/Check-in

12:00 PM Lunch with Plenary:

Welcome
Community Building with Rev. Rhina Ramos
Keynote: Rev. Dr. Darrell Goodwin

1:30 PM Break

2:00 PM Plenary with Lived Experience Panel

Moderator: Rev Edwin Perez
Panelist:
Rev. R Ward
Mx. ivy Tillman
Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tanner Richardson

3:15 PM Break

3:45 PM Workshop Sessions 1
See descriptions below.

- ONA 101: The ONA Process, Rev. Barb Biedenstein, Rm. Trianon A
- Intentional Conversations, Rev. Phiwa Langeni, Rm. Trianon B
- "Do no Harm" Transgender Inclusion in Faith Spaces, Carmarion Anderson-Harvey, Rm. Colonial Ballroom
- Supporting Families, Kentavis Goodwin-Brice and Jennifer Martin, Rm. Trianon C
- Reparations and Policies that Support All of Us, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel, Rm. Trianon D

5:00 PM Dinner with Plenary

State of the Open and Affirming Movement: Rev. Derek Terry
Townhall Conversation

6:30 PM Break

7:00 PM Worship

- Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, Preacher
- Calvin Arsenia, Special Guest Artist
- Kinshift Music, Rev. Monty Jackson

8:30 PM Welcome-Networking Reception:

Honoring Ann Randall, long-time ONA Coalition Financial Administrator

10:00 PM Adjourn for the day

Thu, July 10

7:15 AM Breakfast

8:45 AM Break

9:00 AM Bible Study: Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis
A time to consider Acts 8:26-30, the story of the Ethopian Eunuch and how this passage points us to a fully inclusive, joyfully boundless, and justice-oriented faith. The Bible study will include information about the story and an opportunity to apply it to our own lives and ministries. Come meet--or get reacquainted--with this non-binary, queer ancestor of ours.

9:45 AM Morning Prayer: Rev. Jamar Doyle

10:15 AM Break

10:30 AM Workshop Sessions 2
See descriptions below.

- ONA 201- Next Steps, Rev. Jill Baker, Rm. Trianon A
- Ethical Non-Monogamy and the Church: From Stigma to Resources, Jennifer Martin and Rev. Amy Johnson, Rm. Trianon B
- Transvisibility Toolkit, Rev. Yadi Marinez Reyna and Rev. Rhina Ramos, Rm. Trianon C
- ONA in Rural Contexts, Rev. Dr. Roberto Ochoa, Rm. Trianon D
- Join the Movement, Sharon Fennema, Rm. Colonial Ballroom

11:45 AM Lunch and Workshop Plenary: Trans-Nonbinary Experience and Justice

1:30 PM Break

1:45 PM Plenary: Working for a Just Peace for All

- Team from the UCC Washington DC Office

3:00 PM Break

3:15 PM Afternoon Prayer: Rev. Edwin Perez

3:45 PM Transition to Public Witness Event (details to be announced)

4:15 PM Public Witness Event (details to be announced)

5:15 PM End

WORKSHOPS

Workshops Session 1 – Wednesday, July 9, 3:45-5:00 PM

ONA 101: The ONA Process – Room: Trianon A
Rev. Barb Biedenstein
The public declaration of welcome by an Open & Affirming church sends a clear message to LGBTQIA persons and their families that they have a safe home in that congregation. Achieving the ONA status takes an intentional process that requires time and planning, and needs to ensure that all voices in the church are heard. This process utilizes materials created by the ecumenical group “Building an Inclusive Church.” This workshop will outline the steps of the recommended ONA process and resources that are readily available.

Barbara Biedenstein is a long-standing member of and serves as the secretary of Gateway ONA, the coalition of UCC churches in the St. Louis area. She has attended and studied the Building an Inclusive Church training and serves as the ONA coach for UCC & Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) churches in the St. Louis and eastern Missouri areas.

Intentional Conversations for the ONA Journey – Room: Trianon B
Rev. Dr. Phiwa Langeni
Creating an intentionally welcoming faith community is a transformative process that requires thoughtful engagement, deep listening, and intentional storytelling. This workshop explores how faith communities can foster meaningful conversations that lead to lasting cultural shifts within congregations. Participants will explore how to create educational opportunities that meet people where they are and align with the community’s vision for hospitality, welcome, affirmation, and justice.

The Rev. Dr. Phiwa Langeni (they/he) is a pastor, storyteller, and justice-minded strategist who serves as the Associate Conference Minister for Equipping Leaders in the Southern California Nevada Conference of the UCC. Originally from South Africa, Phiwa is passionate about helping people understand that different doesn’t have to be dangerous. Their ministry spans rural, suburban, and progressive contexts, including church plants and nonprofit hybrids. A lifelong tech nerd, Phiwa brings curiosity, warmth, and a deep commitment to community transformation. Phiwa has accompanied various congregations through ONA processes marked by courage, creativity, and care.

"Do no Harm" Transgender Inclusion in Faith Spaces – Room: Trianon C
Rev. (Elder) Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey
Join us for an enlightening workshop titled "Do No Harm: Transgender Inclusion in Faith Spaces." This session will explore the importance of creating inclusive and affirming faith communities for transgender individuals. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities in fostering acceptance and support within faith settings and share best practices for building safer, braver spaces. Together, we will learn how to create environments where the transgender community is fully embraced, celebrated in their wholeness, and empowered to live out their faith and divine purpose.

Supporting Families – Room: Trianon D
Kentavis Goodwin-Brice and Jennifer Martin
This workshop will focus on ways to support LGBTQ+ families and children by providing interactive opportunities and discussion that engage participants to assess needs, implement inclusive strategies, and create supportive networks for families, children, and the community.

Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel is Pastor for Justice Ministries and Director of the Center for Sustainable Justice at Lyndale UCC. She is co-author of Sacred Reckonings: White Settler-Colonizer Churches Doing the Work of Reparations. She teaches as an Adjunct at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She and her partner, Maggie, are proud parents of Shannon. She is a lifelong supporter of The Coalition and is thrilled to be at the National Gathering.

Workshops Session 2 - Thursday, July 10, 10:30-11:45 AM

ONA 201- Next Steps – Room: Trianon A
Dr. Jill Baker
We've voted, now what do we do? Come learn practical evangelism tips and steps to take after becoming Open and Affirming. This workshop will touch on how you can be hosts, helpers, and advocates.

Dr. Jill Baker often speaks on how congregations can fully include the Queer community in the life of the church, and has been a trainer for the Building an Inclusive Church curriculum. She is an affiliate faculty member and Director of Academic and Vocational Discernment at Eden Theological Seminary.

Ethical Non-Monogamy and the Church: From Stigma to Resources – Room: Trianon B
Jennifer Martin and Rev. Amy Johnson
This interactive workshop will address the need for more discussion about and resources regarding ethical non-monogamy in the United Church of Christ. In addition to practical considerations, we will also focus on developing new resources aimed at dismantling stigma the surrounding ethical non-monogamy in church settings.

Jennifer C. Martin is a writer and editor living in Richmond, Virginia with her two partners and her two children. She is a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ and speaks and writes about polyamory from a Christian perspective. Jennifer also runs a popular Substack entitled Dirtbag Christian.

Rev. Amy Johnson serves as Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice in the national setting of the United Church of Christ. She is a trainer for all levels of Our Whole Lives sexuality education nationwide and internationally. Amy is passionate about helping faith communities provide high quality, comprehensive and inclusive sexuality education as a part of being and becoming healthier places to belong. She says, “My call is about dismantling shame and stigma about bodies and relationships. That work belongs in the church. It is life-changing, life-saving, and transformational.”

The Trans-Nonbinary Toolkit: Embracing our Trans Siblings and Their Spiritual Journeys – Room: Colonial Ballroom
Rev. Yadi Martinez Reyna and Rev. Rhina Ramos
This workshop uplifts the voices of Gender Non-binary and Trans siblings as they struggle to reclaim their faith and their spirituality in the middle of fundamentalist Christianity. Through the use of personal stories, breathing meditation, and engaging questions, participants are guided to reflect on how our communities of faith will become enriched by the presence of people non-conforming to the patriarchal binary system. Embracing Our Trans Siblings, participants will learn how to make a radical welcome for our trans siblings in our faith communities.

The Rev. Yadi Martínez-Reyna (M.Div.) is bilingual Latinx gender non-binary artist, a borderlander, and founder of Color Splash Out, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating safe and brave spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth and their ally friends. Rev. Yadi serves as a Pastor at First UCC in 2nd Life, United Church of Christ. They have a Masters in Divinity (M.Div.) from Brite Divinity School and is certified in the Art of Spiritual Direction and a member of SDI (Spiritual Directors International).

ONA in Rural Contexts – Room: Trianon C
Rev. Roberto Ochoa
What are some of the dynamics of rural ministry? How have you witnessed rural settings living into ONA values, and where do you see opportunities for engaging the ONA process? A case study presentation and discussion presented by Rev Roberto Ochoa, Conference Minister for the Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota Conferences of the UCC.

Rev. Roberto Ochoa serves as the Conference Minister for the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences (Tri Conference Ministries) of the United Church of Christ. Prior to his calling as CM, Roberto served as the Minister for Ethnic Inclusion and Congregational Support for Rural and Small Town Churches in the National Ministries of the UCC in Cleveland, OH. Roberto specializes in the vitality and needs of the ethnic identified and congregations of Color, rural and small-town churches and small membership congregations. Roberto is the chair for the Rural Church Network (RCN) US/Canada and serves on the board for the International Rural Church Association (IRCA). Roberto earned his Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School with certificates in Pastoral Care and Social Justice. Roberto is originally from East Los Angeles, CA and is a US Air Force veteran.

Workshop: Nobody’s Free until Everybody’s Free: Going Deeper with our Movement Stories and Getting Real about Intersections, Coalitions, and Solidarities toward Collective Liberation – Room: Trianon D
Dr. Sharon Fennema and Rev. Dr. Velda Love
As Christians formed by the body politics of Paul (“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” I Corinthians 12:12) and the Pentecost vision of radical equality and understanding across difference (All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2:4), we know in our bones the truth of Fannie Lou Hamer’s insistence that “nobody is free until everybody’s free.” But too often we affirm the necessity of collective liberation without going deeper into the nitty gritty of how we get it done. This workshop uses story-sharing to help us harvest the wisdom of our experiences with different movements to get real about intersectional understandings, coalitional strategies, and embodied solidarity toward collective liberation. Offered by the Join the Movement toward Racial Justice team.