"The vote to become an Open and Affirming congregation was never in doubt here,” says former Union  pastor, Reverend Rick Wagner, explaining that the congregation has welcomed gay and lesbian members and staff over the years. “But recent legislative attempts to deny domestic partner benefits and the like to same-sex couples raised our ire as justice-seeking people.

"We felt it was time to declare publicly what we believe privately,” he continues, “that God loves us all, and that judging or excluding people on the basis of sexual orientation comes from ignorance, bigotry and fear, not faith.”

In preparing to become an Open and Affirming congregation, the church’s ONA task force, led by members Sarah Stanley and Debbie Blake, surveyed members, led adult forums and hosted guest speakers. All of that work culminated in a May 2007 congregational vote, passed overwhelmingly in favor of Open and Affirming status.

Read the statement here.