Board member Keiler Swartz thanks members after the Nov. 7 vote.
Webster Groves Christian Church in St. Louis has now been recognized by the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance as an open and affirming congregation. Below is an article from the congregation’s December newsletter which highlights how they will move forward with this new focus.
On November 7, 98 percent of our voting members approved a motion in support of our Open and Affirming commitment and welcoming statement. Since then, here are the next steps WGCC has taken in fulfilling that commitment. On November 14, 2021, 12 members of Webster Groves Christian Church met to discuss next steps for implementing and celebrating our Open and Affirming status. The group formed a subcommittee for signage, logo, and marketing imagery. The committee will also explore websites, lists, organizations, and ministry partners with whom to share, celebrate, and continue to learn. WGCC name tags and directories will be revised to include people’s preferred pronouns. Welcoming documents and statements at worship and other gatherings will include: “Welcome to Webster Groves Christian Church, an Open and Affirming congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).” A subcommittee was formed to plan and schedule educational opportunities to help the congregation and community continue to learn about issues important to the LGBTQIA+ community and to our ongoing life together as an Open and Affirming congregation. On November 21, 2021, the Webster Groves Christian Church Board met, and received a report from the November 14 meeting (at which many Board members were present). The Board acknowledged, approved, and encouraged the work of the committee. The Board voted unanimously to provide an initial financial gift of $1,000 to Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance, to add the Alliance to WGGC’s Givelify online giving options, to hold a special offering benefitting the Alliance each year on the Sunday nearest the anniversary of the congregation’s vote to become Open and Affirming, and to encourage the congregation to pray regularly for the work of the Alliance. The Board also approved the following amendment to the WGCC Personnel Policy:
Webster Groves Christian Church is committed to treating all staff fairly without discriminating on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity and marital status, encouraging all to apply for employment, evaluating applicants and staff equally, and providing equal compensation and benefits for equal job descriptions.
Thanks to WGCC pastor Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore and WGCC newsletter editor Bob Rose
for this information and photo.