In 1987, a UUA committee was formed to collect information about how welcomed and accepted gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual persons felt in their UU congregations. Many individuals reported that they felt unaffirmed, unwelcomed and unsupported in their liberal religious communities. Though much of this exclusion was very subtle and most of it was quite unintentional, many people felt that they don’t really belong and either drift away or stay “in the closet”, hiding basic facts about who they are from other members of their congregations.
This troubled many UU’s who have committed to making our congregations welcoming and inclusive places for all people, especially minority groups who have traditionally experienced exclusion, discrimination and misrepresentation within our society. Citing the principles of our UU faith — especially the one that affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person — the 1989 General Assembly voted to initiate the Welcoming Congregation Program . Other denominations have similar programs.
In the summer of 2000, the UUCA Board voted to begin the adult education curriculum of the Welcoming Congregation program. This decision was affirmed as part of the Strategic plan adopted at the Congregational meeting in June 2001. Basically, a congregation that is part of this program commits to being inclusive and expressive of the concerns of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons at every level of congregational life — in worship, in programs, and in social occasions — welcoming not only their presence, but also the unique gifts and particulars of their lives as well.
What does it mean if we are a ‘Welcoming Congregation?
As part of becoming an officially recognized Welcoming Congregation, our church must commit to and demonstrate the following characteristics (among others):
1. A Welcoming Congregation does not assume that everyone is heterosexual. Vocabulary of worship reflects this awareness, and worship celebrates all types of diversity through inclusive language and content.
2. An understanding of the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons are fully incorporated throughout all programs, including religious education.
3. A Welcoming Congregation seeks to nurture ongoing dialogue between gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and heterosexual persons, and to create deeper trust and understanding.
Why is the Welcoming Congregation Program important to all of us?
Gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual persons are not the only ones who may feel alone in our community. Persons of color, the physically challenged, various ethnic and national minorities, persons of low income or educational status, those recovering from addiction and other groups often feel excluded by some congregations Although each group experiences the chill in UU congregations differently, and the steps required to warm that chill will vary widely — there is a universal imperative to end the pain and exclusion.
Only when our congregations are truly open to the diversity of all persons who come to our doors will the principles of Unitarian Universalism speak with a large and lasting voice.
Thank you —The UUCA Welcoming Congregation Leadership Team