godofloflovenotofhate

I was in Angel Falls coffee shop. A young man told me that he heard me sing when I first came to Akron back in the late '70's. I was embarrassed because I didn't remember him.

He was the minister of music at the Methodist church in Mogadore. He played "God of Love," cried, and told me he had full blown AIDS. I knew I had to record this song.

I invited Marco and a music producer to lay down the single piano track and I sang.

My reconnection has brought me to a new and different place.

My spiritual journey is almost complete, now.

It has become a prayer, a mantra and a personal connection to the God of my understanding, in a

way that keeps me focused. The message is as powerful today as when I first heard it. God is a

God of Love and not a god of hate. It has become my life's work.

God is Still singing through my heart!

This is ("I Am, We Are") the UCC

As I approach five years at First Grace, I have come to

believe that anything is possible if we are willing to get out of

God's way.

My personal story is that I wanted to be a part of a coffeehouse

to be held at First Grace. I didn't go there looking for a church,

but God had other plans for me. I have come to know

and love our church with my whole heart and mind

in a way I did not believe was possible.

My last four years has taught me the Affirmation of

Welcome is a living document which reaches out to everyone.

This is the UCC!

Our sight, once clouded and confused, will clear and we will be able to perceive reality and recognize truth.*

In the winter of 2004, during the airing of the promotion, "The

Bouncer", I got the message that there were things that I could

do at a UCC church.

I began attending Sunday services at First Grace because I was

invited to attend. I soon realized that when our interim pastor

(who later became our current pastor), had the "eternal child"

quality which I needed; someone to whom I could tell everything

or nothing.

I came out to him as a recovering Catholic who had never

had the opportunity to become fully involved in the life

of the church. I knew that First Grace UCC, was a place,

where I could grow, and that no idea was too insignificant

or too grand to be considered.

Coming back from National Gathering and General Synod '05,

I quickly realized my focus must be on all the people.

Our new and long-time members...

our visitors who come to both the Open Door

Coffeehouse and Sunday morning services...

all have given to me gifts greater than I could have imagined.

Welcoming, witnessing and being 'totally present' for

myself and for others have shown me a joy which I now know is

God's extravagant welcome.

As others come to find their own special gifts,

the Light of Christ, through our UCC, will continue to increase in

ways which are yet to be told.

* "It is the same with us. Now we see like we are looking into a dark mirror. But at that time, in the future, we shall see clearly. Now I know only a part, that in time I will know fully, like God has known me." 1Corinthians 13:12

Affirmation of Welcome

First Grace United Church of Christ, Akron, Ohio

We are an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation...
If you are Asian, Hispanic, Black, or White...
If you are male or female or transgender...
If you are three days old, thirty years old, or 103 years old...
If you've never stepped foot in church, or if you are Buddhist,
Roman Catholic, agnostic, or
A lifelong member of the United Church of Christ or
its predecessors...
If you are single, married, divorced, separated, or
partnered...
If you are straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual...
If you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, Socialist, or
not registered to vote...
If you have, or had, addictions, phobias, abortions, or a
criminal record...
If you own your home, rent, live with your parents, or are
homeless...
If you are fully-abled, disabled, or a person with differing abilities...

You are welcome here!

This congregation is committed
To being a radically loving
And welcoming
Community of faith,
Centered in the
Good News of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, in faithfulness to
The Gospel,
The United Church of Christ,
And First Grace United Church of Christ,
"We will not discriminate against
Any person,
Group,
Or organization
On the basis of
Race,
Gender,
Age,
Sexual orientation,
Faith,
Nationality,
Ethnicity,
Marital status,
Or physical, mental, or emotional disability."

To the best of our ability,
We promise to
Minister,
Provide pastoral care
And programs
To all who seek God
In this place.

This song has been sung at a variety of events, from the Pride Interfaith Service in Cleveland, PFLAG Great Lakes Regional Conference, Memorial Service after 9/11 for the Mogadore Interfaith community, PRIDE!Kent's 30th Anniversary Series Proudly presents Judy Shepard, Working for a Hate-Free Society, World AIDS Day, the Out in Akron Pride Festival, Pridefest in Lynchburg, VA with Soulforce, and several local churches in northeast Ohio.

Through the eyes of God's love,
Joni

Joni Christian
Working for a Hate Free Society
330-472-3763