Welcoming Congregation
 
"Welcoming Congregation" is a course of study developed by the UUA to help congregations embrace gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people of faith.  The congregation audits its practices of welcoming this cohort and through education and activities works toward reducing exclusionary practices and increasing understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of people of different sexual orientations.  Upon successfully completing the course, the congregation is granted status as a "Welcoming Congregation."  A second course of study is offered  by the UUA also, "Living as a Welcoming Congregation." 

What does it mean to be a welcoming congregation?  Congregations who publicly and successfully welcome bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people have the following qualities:  (1) Include and address the needs of GLBT persons at every level of congregational life -- in worship, in programs, in social occasions, and in rites of passage -- welcoming not only their presence, but the gifts and particularities of their lives as well; (2) assume the presence of GLBT people and celebrate this diversity by having inclusive language and content in their worship; (3) fully incorporate the experience of GLBT persons throughout all programs, including religious education; (4) include an affirmation and nondiscrimination clause in bylaws and other official documents affecting all dimensions of congregational life, including membership, hiring practices, and the calling of religious professionals; (5) engage in outreach into the GLBT community in advertising and by actively supporting GLBT affirmative groups; (6) offer congregational and ministerial support for union and memorial services for GLBT persons, and for celebrations of family definitions; (7) celebrate the lives of all people and welcome same-sex couples and their families, equally affirming displays of caring aned affections without regard to sexual orientation; (8) seek to nurture ongoing dialogue among GLBT people and heterosexual persons, to create deeper trust and sharing; (9) speak out when the rights of GLBT people are at stake; and (10) affirm and celebrate GLBT issues and history through the church year.

Link:  www.uua.org/glbt

Resource:  www.chicagowelcomingchurches.org