Open & Affirming

Our Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging

Bethany Children’s Home is proud to be recognized as an Open & Affirming organization, originally receiving this designation through the ONA Coalition of the United Church of Christ (UCC) in affirmation of our long-standing commitment to the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals in every aspect of community life.

While Bethany’s Open & Affirming designation originated during our time as a ministry of the UCC, our organization now operates as a secular, community-based partner. This means we are not governed by or formally affiliated with any religious denomination. However, we continue to honor the inclusive values that led to our Open & Affirming commitment. These values affirm the dignity, worth, and belonging of every person, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, culture, faith, or background.

Our ongoing work toward inclusion is guided by compassion, respect, and equity. We remain dedicated to ensuring that all youth, staff, and community members experience Bethany as a safe, affirming, and empowering environment.

Historically, Bethany was a ministry of the UCC and as such formerly entered the below covenant. While our affiliation with the UCC is no longer faith-based, the tenets of the statement still apply to our philosophy.

Open & Affirming Welcoming Statement & Covenant

First of all, the people of Bethany Children’s Home, as a ministry of the United Church of Christ, are called to provide safety, asylum, and love as we minister with and to all persons in the Bethany community and beyond; providing human services, worship, nurture, and fellowship.

Also, we declare ourselves an Open and Affirming community; actively expressing inclusiveness, radical hospitality, and authentic welcome while embracing all people.

Our welcome knows no boundaries of age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, economic condition, physical or mental ability, faith background, marital standing or family structure; and we invite everyone to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our community as we seek to “grow together in faith and love.”

Finally, we embrace and seek to preserve the beautiful, amazing diversity of creation. For that reason, we cooperate in ministry with other local churches and groups as we participate in the worldwide mission of Christ, through a “Still Speaking God.”