Pioneers in GLBT Faith: Rev. Ann B. Day

From the LGBT Religious Arcihves Network.

Baptized in the United Methodist Church, influenced by the Church of the Brethren, and raised in the Southern Presbyterian Church, it is little wonder that the Rev. Ann B. Day found a spiritual home in the ecumenically-committed United Church of Christ (UCC). Equally drawn by its Christ-centered life and commitment to social justice, she was ordained in the UCC after completing her Master of Divinity degree at Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1978. While in seminary, she served as the first coordinator of the Women’s Office at the Divinity School.

After seminary, Ann served as associate pastor at First Congregational Church UCC in Holden, Massachusetts, until 1981. In the years following, she discovered and became increasingly involved with the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/Gay Concerns (now the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns). In 1987, she became coordinator for its new Open and Affirming (ONA) program, which assists UCC settings in becoming and being ONA (publicly welcoming to LGBT persons). The program maintains the listings of ONA settings in the UCC and, in cooperation with national UCC staff and others, provides the primary leadership and resources for assisting settings in an ongoing process of ONA study and witness. Ann’s ministry includes writing, preaching, resource development, pastoral support, and offering educational programs. Her partner, Donna Enberg, is the ONA Administrative Assistant, doing invaluable work to keep the database and finances of the program in order and seeing that resources are sent on their way promptly. As staff for the ONA program, Ann and Donna are also actively involved in the ecumenical “Welcoming Church Movement.”

Click here to read more about Rev. Day.