We are an Open & Affirming Church
Sunnyside Reformed Church is proud to be a member of both Room For All and the United Church of Christ’s Open and Affirming Coalition. These partnerships reflect our commitment to fostering an inclusive and affirming community for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Room For All is a non-profit network of members, clergy, and congregations within the Reformed Church in America dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ people and allies, providing education on issues of sexuality and gender, and advocating for the full affirmation of everyone in every aspect of church life. Sunnyside Reformed Church proudly shares Room For All’s vision of creating spaces where all are seen, valued, and celebrated as beloved children of God.
The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ (UCC) has been a transformative force within the denomination, advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion and justice since 1972. As one of the first Christian denominations to affirm the full participation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the life and leadership of the church, the UCC has paved the way for radical hospitality and social justice within Christianity. The Coalition continues to be a prophetic voice, working to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals and their families experience welcome, safety, and full participation in their churches and communities.
By affiliating with both Room For All and the UCC’s Open and Affirming Coalition, Sunnyside Reformed Church boldly stands as a beacon of God’s inclusive love, committed to creating a congregation where all people—no matter who they are or where they are on life’s journey—are fully welcomed, affirmed, and embraced.
Sunnyside Reformed Church Open & Affirming Covenant
Adopted by our Consistory on October 13, 2024
At Sunnyside Reformed Church, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Host and Savior, we welcome all who seek to know God. Inspired by Christ’s invitation to “Behold, I set before you an open door,” we affirm that each person is a beloved child of God, called to journey together in community. Following the One who is Sovereign and Savior, we commit ourselves to being one body with many members, embracing people of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
We believe in the full inclusion of all in the life and mission of our church. All are invited to participate fully in our worship, rites, and sacraments, and to take leadership roles within our congregation. As a reconciling community, we strive to make justice and inclusivity a lived reality, here in our church and in the wider world.
Rooted in the unconditional love and grace of God, we stand on the threshold of Christ’s open door, committed to sharing that love with our neighbors, including our LGBTQ+ siblings. We declare ourselves to be an open and affirming congregation, celebrating the gifts and diversity of all people. Through this diversity, we see God’s image in everyone and seek to practice a unity of faith that transcends our differences, just as scripture calls us to love one another as Christ has loved us.
Recognizing the Christian church’s historical failure to affirm the dignity of all people, especially those with diverse expressions of gender and sexuality, we commit to being agents of healing and reconciliation. At Sunnyside Reformed Church, we celebrate all loving relationships and advocate for justice for all expressions of human diversity. In this way, we live out Christ’s commandment to be known by our love.