Are We Welcoming? Not Officially

Are we welcoming? Welcome is often in the eye of the beholder, but many would say yes we are. But not officially. We need your help to fix this!

What?

In the 1980s and 90s the Unitarian Universalist Association launched a Welcoming Congregation Program. At the time we signed up for the program, showing members of the LGBTQ+ community that we were a safe and welcoming place for them. 

Each year, we are tasked with engaging in the Welcoming Congregations Five Practices of Welcome Renewal Program. This encourages us to continue an active engagement with the values of the Welcoming Congregations Program. 

Unfortunately, we have let the certification lapse. 

We have not forgotten or not practiced the values of Welcome, just forgot some of the practices and paperwork associated with the program. This is where we need your help. 

We are looking to put together a team that will help lead us in engaging in the Five Practices: 

1. Become a Welcoming Congregation Becoming a Welcoming Congregation is the expectation of every Unitarian Universalist congregation. While over 800 congregations are currently “approved,” the nearly 300 congregations that are not are encouraged to fulfill the original objectives of the Welcoming Congregations application.

2. Welcoming Worship Services The second Practice of Welcome Renewal is incorporating Welcoming Worship Services into our ordinary calendar of worship every year. These services might occur during LGBTQ+ Pride Month or any other day of observance. An LGBTQ marriage ceremony, naming ritual, or remembrance ceremonies may also fulfill this objective.

3. Welcoming Days of Observance The third Practice of Welcome Renewal is an annual recognition and celebration of the Welcoming Days of Observance. These days and seasons are important to LGBTQ+ / TGQNB communities because they bring visibility and affirmation after generations of invisibility and erasure. These days remind all that “All of who you are is sacred. All of who you are is welcome.”

4. Welcoming Religious Education The fourth Practice of Welcome Renewal is an annual opportunity for your congregation to experience a Welcoming Congregation Module. A WC module is a UUA approved seminar / webinar. Each year the UUA LGBTQ program office will offer at least one Welcoming Webinar engaging LGBTQ+ / TGQNB issues and topics. Welcoming Congregations may register for a webinar or may chose to sponsor a local seminar for its local congregation and community.

5. Support a Welcoming Project The fifth Practice of Welcome Renewal is Support a Welcoming Project. Welcoming Congregations (WCs) are congregations that give generously of our gifts and resources. To remain current, WCs may donate a sizable donation to a local and national organization, campaign, or project that uplifts the dignity of LGBTQ+ / TGQNB communities.

If you would like to be part of this team, we are hoping to have our first meeting sometime in the end of April or beginning of May. The group is open to members of the queer communities and their allies. If you are interested in joining us, please email lgbtq@muuf.org.