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FCC Baltimore and Living Waters Sanctuary, Virginia Beach, Join O&A Ministry Program

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FCC Baltimore and Living Waters Sanctuary, Virginia Beach, Join O&A Ministry Program

Over the past month, two new congregations have joined GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program.

First Christian Church Baltimore has a history of being a welcoming place, and over the past year they have carefully engaged an O&A process using materials provided by the GLAD Alliance. The congregation voted on their O&A statement at their Annual Congregational Meeting and the vote was unanimous.

Living Waters Sanctuary was founded in Virginia Beach about 9 years ago as an independent congregation.

Pastor Pam Bro, a Disciples pastor, told us a little bit of her story. Before moving to Virginia, she was proudly serving an affirming church in New Haven CT. While she was looking for a call as a pastor in Virginia, her open welcome and affirmation was clear on her profile, and every time she interviewed with a church about a call she was asked “Are you going to turn this into a gay church?” After seeking a call in both the DOC and the UCC in Virginia, she finally heard God calling her to start her own church, open and affirming from the start, and that call has grown into Living Waters Sanctuary.

With some encouragement from Mark Johnston, Executive Director of GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program, the congregation sought affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and was recently granted Congregation in Formation status by the Christian Church in Virginia.

We give thanks for the work and ministry of these two congregations. Their open welcome ministers to all, their presence as part of the Open & Affirming Ministry Program is a witness to the Christian Church, and as part of GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program, they are joined in a fellowship of over 150 ministries of the Christian Church proclaiming welcome to all to the full life and leadership of the church.

Is your congregation part of GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program? (You can check the list here.)

Find resources that can move any congregation towards more welcome and affirmation here.

Learn more about the Open & Affirming Ministry Program here.

For more information, guidance, and suggestions, contact Rev. Mark Johnston, Ph.D., Executive Director of GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program at mark@gladalliance.org.