Last year, Trinity United Church of Christ in Coplay joined a special group of churches.

Following a unanimous vote by members Dec. 2, 2012, the church became one of more than 1,000 U.C.C. congregations nationwide that is "open and affirming."

"This whole ... process is about the congregation being open and affirming to everyone," said Steve Hummel, Trinity pastor.

That means the congregation must accept and welcome all people, from those with handicaps to those who simply choose nontraditional roles.

"A woman has every right to be up on that pulpit as I do," said the pastor.

Hummel acknowledged, however, that sexuality is the "hot button" issue.

"We've always been told that the Bible says [homosexuality] is not allowed," he said.

Hummel referred to the "clobber passages," which are Scriptures commonly used to condemn homosexuality.

"Unfortunately that is not from a scholarly interpretation," he said.

Becoming an open and affirming church is voluntary. It begins with an educational component which Hummel began when he became pastor in 2008.

"I told the council that one of my agenda items was to do at least the educational part of the open and affirming process," Hummel said. "And they had no problem with it. They said, 'teach us.'"

The next step is for the congregation to vote. At least 80 percent of the voters must approve it.

Trinity's vote was unanimous.

"This, for the most part, was a very conservative congregation but they wanted to grow," Hummel said.

Accepting homosexuality was but one part of the whole.

"Hummel started with common everyday prejudices, such as those who have physical handicaps," said church member Janet Ebert. Over the course of the next several years, his sermons progressed to cover prejudice against those with certain jobs, racial discrimination and then sexual orientation.

"This process was spread over that period of time to help us to gain insight into each prejudice and why it was un-Christ-like to think that way," Ebert said.

Hummel's sermons on the "clobber passages" included information on the historical and social contexts of the words in order to show what they really mean.

The book of Leviticus, for example, refers to men lying with men as an "abomination." The passages do not refer to loving relationships but rather to people who do whatever they can to satisfy uncontrollable sexual appetites, Hummel said.

Those who condemn homosexuality based on those Bible passages must also condemn other actions described as "abominations."

"They need to remember they can no longer have any more seafood," Hummel said. "They can no longer eat any pork products. They can no longer wear any mixed fabrics."

Hummel pointed out Jesus does not address the issue of homosexuality in the New Testament either.

Hummel said he was "very graphic and blunt" during the Sunday service before the vote. He wanted to make sure everyone understood what being open and affirming really means.

He said he was even a little surprised no one walked out of that service.

"Nobody had any problem with it. And I tried to make it as controversial and, I hate to say it, I made it as graphic as I possibly could. I needed to know. If there was gonna be dissent, I needed to know," Hummel said.

Ministers learn about the clobber passages during seminary but many are reluctant to take this controversial information back to their congregations, he said.

"A lot of churches claim to be open and affirming. And they might even teach a little bit of it. But they don't want to go to that vote because that vote often splits the church," Hummel said.

Hummel said he is uncertain if the congregation of approximately 150 includes anyone who is gay or lesbian. The congregation does include people with handicaps, elderly people who need assistance getting around and a couple who has a lesbian daughter.

Hummel said being open and affirming means the church will address a myriad of social issues. Church members volunteer in the community and raise funds for programs such as the Northampton Area Food Bank.

They also hope to create a technology center at the church and teach people how to use features such as email and Skype so they can keep in touch with family and friends who are far away.

The technology center will also be open to area youth who need technology to complete schoolwork.

In Coplay, 17 percent of the youth are in the juvenile probation system, Hummel said. They need support if they are to turn their lives around.

"Coplay is a very small community and kids need to know they have a safe outlet, they have a safe place to come and worship," Hummel said.

As a result of its open and affirming position, the church has actually attracted younger people looking for spirituality without the hypocrisy so often found in religion.

"It doesn't matter where you are in life's journey, you are welcome here," Hummel said. "And that is truly the way we feel."