All About Gateway Open & Affirming (GONA) Coalition
An Adult Education Presentation, 1/11/2026, Inglis Room

What is Gateway Open & Affirming (GONA) Coalition, and why is it important that our church is a part of it? How does being a part of GONA benefit our congregation? How can we be more involved with GONA? After worship on Sunday, January 11, we will hear information about GONA and have the opportunity to have our questions about it answered. More background information about GONA can be accessed here.

 Our presenter will be Barbara Biedenstein, who serves as the ONA coach for the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ churches in the St. Louis and eastern Missouri regions. As the ONA coach, she helps any local church understand what being ONA means and how they can live into their ONA commitment. Barb is a lifelong member of Kirkwood UCC and was part of the task force that lead their ONA process 19 years ago. Denominationally, Barb has served many years on the St. Louis Association Council, the St. Louis Association Committee on Ministry: Support, and as a delegate at St. Louis Association, Missouri Mid-South Conference, and UCC General Synod meetings. Barbara has a lot of experience in these matters and has a lot to say. Check out the ONA mission statement here.