In early May, we held a mini-retreat on a Sunday afternoon. We asked each person to write down their fears and hopes for this process and eventual congregational vote. One common fear was that this issue could divide the church with the potential loss of unity, members and revenue, concerns for any church, particularly one with a congregation of less than 100. A common hope was that this discussion might open new and expanding ways to walk in God’s path in prayer, honesty, and respect.

Our pastor supported this process by speaking from the pulpit and writing in the newsletter about the importance of the discussion, not necessarily the outcome of the final vote. Over the next five months, several open panel discussions were scheduled. Our guests included gay men, a representative from PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), church members with their own personal stories, and the Vermont Conference UCC Coordinator on Open and Affirming issues. The deacons encouraged every member to attend at least one meeting and become part of the conversation. They followed up with phone calls prior to the final meeting.

The vote was scheduled for November, and a special meeting of the congregation was warned. However, the pastor and the deacons wanted to insure that the vote truly reflected the will of the congregation so we devised a method by which people who were unable to attend the warned meeting could vote by mail and maintain their own confidentiality. Sealed ballots were mailed to the Moderator who tallied those votes at the special meeting. The final vote was 67 ayes and 10 nays out of 94 possible votes.

Our Open and Affirming resolution was forwarded to the national UCC, and after one revision, we were accepted as an Open and Affirming congregation.

This process was challenging, scary, honest, and full of the love of God. There were four members who disagreed with the vote and have chosen to worship elsewhere. However, there were also members who disagreed with the vote and have chosen to stay, as well as several newcomers seeking to be part of a congregation that “holds its doors and hearts open to all who seek a deeper relationship and closer walk with Jesus Christ”.

The Warren United Church
United Church of Christ
Main Street
PO Box 114
Warren Village, Vermont 05674
802.496.2713

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