While hundreds of UCC churches and ministries have gone one step beyond saying they are welcoming to LGBT folks by officially and publicly declaring to be open and affirming ( ONA ) , this cluster of North Side ONA UCC churches wants to take it a step further. A consortium of North Side UCC ONA churches, which includes several with openly gay and lesbian leaders, started meeting to reassess their participation in the local queer community. They wish to re-evaluate where these area churches are now and what should be done next.

Several North Side churches are involved in this effort, including Bethany UCC, Bethlehem UCC, Church of the Three Crosses, St. Paul's UCC, Wellington Avenue UCC and others.

The area is already unique in that a large majority of the UCC churches on the North Side have been ONA 'for decades,' said Rev. Dan Dale of Wellington Avenue UCC.

'We probably have the highest percentage of openly LGBT clergy of any denomination in any geographic area of the country,' Dale added. Area UCC churches have also had openly gay and lesbian individuals in their congregations for decades.

'We've called this group together because we have been active leaders, participating as a part of the LGBTQ community for decades, and where are we now?' Dale said.

According to Dale, the group's purpose is to reevaluate the participation and integration of area churches in the LGBT community, and ask what needs they could and should be responding to.

'It's interesting the degree to which over the last 20 years, as being Open and Affirming congregations, the differences in how the LGBTQ community are integrated in the churches,' Dale said. While at some churches, LGBT individuals might be involved in the anti-war movement or other issues, at others, such as Pillar of Love Fellowship Church, they might be focused on healing and affirmation.

A crucial addition to the group of churches involved in this effort is the radically inclusive Pillar of Love Fellowship Church, which holds weekly worship services at the Center on Halsted. Pillar of Love was founded by the out Rev. Phyllis V. Pennese as a church organization that specifically addresses the needs of the LGBT community and, in particular, LGBT people of color.

'I don't think that it would be incorrect to say that Pillar of Love coming to the North Side has been instrumental in helping galvanize this collegiality and collaboration,' Pennese said.

Dale agreed, and told Windy City Times that Pillar of Love's move to the North Side played a large role.

Pillar of Love has a predominately African-American LGBT congregation, which Pennese calls a 'flip side' to the majority of area ONA UCC churches.

'I think it's crucial for them to have us involved,' Pennese said. 'We are living this every day. It's not just something we do or adjust to or do a culture change to make room for the LGBT community. We are the LGBT community.'

While other denominations are debating the issue nationally, the UCC is in a unique position because it has been involved in LGBT inclusion for over 30 years. UCC adopted an ONA resolution in 1985. Since, over 700 UCC congregations have voted to become ONA.

When a local UCC church or ministry votes to become ONA, it means that it has officially and publicly declared that it welcomes LGBT people in its membership, leadership and employment.

Although UCC has been inclusive for over three decades, it has still fallen off many people's radars, said several local pastors.

The North Side has grown accustomed to there being over a dozen ONA UCC churches, and even though they have been around for the past 20 years, these churches don't have a very high profile because they are now seen as 'just being a part of the neighborhood,' Dale said. Now, it's time to take another look at what their role on the North Side is, how they can have a higher visibility and what the current needs of the community are.

'It's been a while since there has been some intentional outreach,' said openly gay Rev. John Hobbs of the Church of the Three Crosses UCC and UMC. 'We just felt like this was a time to do that.'

'I think we want to strengthen that presence—that the denomination from the top down is still supportive,' Hobbs added.

It's important that people know exactly where a denomination stands, said Hobbs. For him, this effort is also personal. As openly gay man who struggled for years and had to leave another denomination because of its hurtful policies, it's crucial for LGBT folks to know that there are safe spaces available in the neighborhood.

'It's important to me to offer places of healing, places of affirmation and places of celebration,' Hobbs said. 'That's why I want to be involved.'

Although the group is still in the beginning stages, they are already talking about tackling many issues that impact the local community.

One of those issues is LGBT youth, as well as homelessness among that group.

'One of the things we've given some attention to is this whole issue around the youth,' Pennese said. 'We're concerned about that and trying to develop some unity around that issue in order to have a stronger voice.'

The North Side community has been a place for LGBT people to hang out and feel safe for years, but it hasn't always been as welcoming as it could be to LGBT people of color, Pennese said. This is another issue she hopes is tackled by the consortium of churches. Although much has changed, there is still a lot of work to be done. That is why Pillar of Love's participation is very important, she said.

'We're still wrestling with that, most definitely,' Pennese said.

Those involved also want to re-emphasize to local LGBT folks that UCC is still a strong neighborhood presence by being involved in a number efforts.

'We're thinking of ways to get involved in advocacy work to make Halsted a safer place for all people, too,' Hobbs said.

For a complete list of area ONA UCC congregations, see www.ucccoalition.org .