Open and Affirming Resolution

In the fall of 2008, the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ asked all of their Open and Affirming Congregations to consider crafting a resolution that they would co-sponsor at the 2009 Annual Meeting formally declaring the Southwest Conference as an Open and Affirming Conference.

At our February meeting the Church Council reviewed the proposed document, agreed to sign-on as a co-sponsor of the resolution, and asked that I submit the following letter to the Southwest Conference Office. The letter was mailed Tuesday morning, February 17, 2009.

Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ
4423 N. 24th St.
Suite 600
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Greetings!

On Monday evening February 16, 2009, the Church Council of the Encanto Community Church on behalf of the members and friends of this United Church of Christ congregation voted unanimously to co-sponsor the Open and Affirming Resolution that will be presented to SWC Board of Directors on March 14th and then brought before the entire Southwest Conference at the Annual Meeting in April 2009.

As one of the ONA Churches in this Conference it is with great joy and overflowing hope for the future that we endorse this resolution and ask that we would be included as one of the co-sponsors.

We look forward to sending representatives from our congregation to the Annual Meeting in April, and if we can be helpful in any additional ways in seeing this resolution through please do not hesitate to let us know.

Peace,
Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray
Interim Pastor