from uua-l: Update on Welcoming Congregation program

[Debbie Weiner]

Reply to:  bgreve at uua.org

The Welcoming Congregation Program is designed to help churches
confront homophobia in their congregations, both in individuals and
the institution.  There are 15 action steps that the Program
suggests be taken before a congregation asks to be "officially"
recognized by the UUA as a Welcoming Congregation.  The steps range
from offering Scott Alexander's adult RE course, The Welcoming
Congregation, to addressing possible by-law changes to be more
inclusive of oppressed groups.  A list of these action steps are
printed on page 6 in Scott Alexander's book or can be obtained by
contacting the UUA's Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and 
Transgender Concerns.  

Once a congregation feels it has achieved all 15 action steps and
has taken a congregational vote in affirmation of being a recognized
Welcoming Congregation, a brief description of how each action step
was met should be sent to the OBGLTC along with notification of the
congregation's completion of their process.  Upon reciept of this
information OBGLTC will send the congregation a letter of
congratulations, along with a poster that proclaims they "are a
Welcoming Congregation."

Please note that the OBGLTC does not ask for a brief description of
how each action step was met in order to "rate" a congregation's work,
but rather to keep ourselves informed as to the good work being done
in our congregations and to provide ideas for other congregations
involved in the Welcoming Congregation process.

-- Barb Greve, Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender 
Concerns.  bgreve at uua.org