Celebrating the 25th anniversary of General Synod's passage of the Open and Affirming resolution urging full inclusion of LGBT persons into the life and leadership of the church, nearly 140 participants gathered in San Diego, Calif., for the UCC's Coalition for LGBT Concerns Gathering July 14-17.

Carolyn Thompson, former board board member of UCC Disabilities Ministries, speaks during the workshop titled 'Perceptions of Disability: Myth & Reality' at the UCC's 2010 Coalition Gathering in San Diego. Photo Gregg Brekke

With the theme "Any Body, Everybody, Christ's Body," Coalition presentations and breakout groups addressed the topics of disability ministries, expanding the network and impact of ONA churches, LGBT immigration issues and transgender inclusion among other themes.

Worship punctuated each day with morning and evening gatherings that included a wide array of speakers and an ensemble choir led by David Lohman and Bill Thomas. Workshops, small group discussions and affinity gatherings allowed time for learning and reflection.

Eleonore Powell blows a kiss to the crowd while being honored with the Coalition's Pioneer award. Daughter Loey looks on at left. Photo Gregg Brekke

A closing banquet included the recognition of Eleonore Powell as a Coalition Pioneer for her years of support for the Coalition and her role as a "spiritual mother" to many of its members. Powell, 93, is the mother of the UCC's Executive for Administration and Women's Justice the Rev. Loey Powell.

The banquet's keynote address was delivered by UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black. "Persistence is necessary - we need to keep at it..." he said noting the contribution the Coalition has made in efforts to make the UCC a more relevant church. "We need to think of ourselves as an extremely inclusive community – one that will hold onto that value even when it is challenged by power."

The Rev. Carlos J. Correa Bernier, director of Centro Romero in San Ysidro, Calif., speaks to immersion participants at the shanty-town on the outskirts of Tijuana, Mexico. Photo Gregg Brekke

Prior to the official start of the Gathering, 12 attendees participated in a border immersion experience through the UCC's Centro Romero Center located in San Ysidro, Calif. The group ventured into Tijuana, Mexico, to see and begin to understand some of the root causes of migration to the United States.

Standing on a hill overlooking a shanty-town in Tijuana, Centro Romero Program Coordinator Carlos Correa explained that most of the adult residents of the tin and cardboard constructed homes work in the foreign-owned factories, called maquiladoras, that loom over the shacks.

"This community is a non-existent community," said Correa, describing the unrecognized status of residents of the shanty-town which lacks water, electricity, schools, hospitals and fire or police services. "The only reason they are here is this land has no meaning or value to the government. If [the land had value], they would be bulldozed out of here in a heart beat."

Culminating the Gathering was the San Diego Pride Parade held Saturday on the streets of its Hillcrest neighborhood. Over 150,000 spectators watched the parade as floats, music performances, political activists, civic groups and churches showed their support for the LGBT community.

"Gathering was a chance to come together and hear stories of celebration, renewal, perseverance and courage," said Byron W. Adams of First Congregational UCC in Washington, D.C., and this year's event organizer. "These stories show us that we have come a long way down life's journey but we still have much traveling and hard work ahead to affirm the rights and lives of LGBT and straight brothers and sisters everywhere."