GATEWAY OPEN & AFFIRMING
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2020 Convocation

OPEN AND AFFIRMING: 
​Life Changing and Life Saving

This year marked Gateway Open and Affirming Churches' Ninth Annual Convocation!

What is Convocation?

If you are an Open and Affirming congregation, talking about Open and Affirming, or thinking about starting the conversation, if you want to explore how to be effective allies, there will be something for you and your church.  Come, be in conversation with others, learn what it means to be Open and Affirming and how to fully express extravagant welcome to all God's children.

When?
Saturday March 7th, 2020
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration begins at 8:30 AM
Coffee, Pastries and Fruit will be Available
Displays will be Open
 
Where?
Parkway United Church of Christ
2841 North Ballas Road
Saint Louis, Missouri 63131
 
How?
Registration (includes lunch)
$20 per person
or
$120 per church with 6 or more attending

Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ's (UCC) designation for congregations and other settings of the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

This year we had some new workshops and some new leaders, as well as some returning leaders.

We welcomed Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund as our preacher/keynote speaker. Dr. Lund is the United Church of Christ’s Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice. Thank you, Sarah!

Our worship leader was Rev. Tom Ressler, pastor at St. Paul United Church of Christ in St. Louis. Thank you, Tom!

In addition to the workshops, we had the Eden Theological Seminary Bookstore and other displays, as well as fellowship, food, and fun!

The morning worship included the sacrament of Holy Communion. An offering was received on behalf of the (National) United Church of Christ Open and Affirming Coalition. At the end of the event, our offering totaled $1,125.00! Thank you so much to everyone who donated for your generosity!
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We had a wonderful Convocation, and we want to say thank you so much to all our participants and speakers! Thank you to Parkway UCC for hosting us! And thank you to our planning committee! Without you, we couldn't have made this wonderful event a reality.

2020 Convocation
​
Open & Affirming: 
Life Changing and Life Saving

The Official GONA Photographer, our wonderful Sharon Love, took these excellent pictures of the 2020 Convocation. Thank you, Sharon!
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