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Welcoming Congregation Declaration
Adopted April 27, 1997
Amended April 29, 1999
In keeping with our
covenant which asks us
- To dwell
together in peace,
- To seek
the truth in love, and
- To help
one another
And in accord
with Unitarian Universalist principles in which member congregations
covenant to affirm and promote
- The inherent
worth and dignity of every person,
- Justice,
equity and compassion in human relations,
- Acceptance
of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations,
and
- A free and
responsible search for truth and meaning
We, the
Unitarian Universalist Church, Lafayette, Indiana declare ourselves
to be a Welcoming Congregation.
A Welcoming
Congregation is a religious community that welcomes and accepts
people who are gay, lesbian, transgendered or bisexual; that strives
to be a safe and affirming environment for those among us
who are gay, lesbian, transgendered or bisexual; that ensures all
areas of congregational life are open and inclusive; and,
that commits itself to work for the rights and dignity of
gay, lesbian, trandsgendered or bisexual people in the larger community.
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This
framed sign hangs in the church entryway
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As a Welcoming
Congregation we will implement and maintain the following guidelines:
SAFE AND AFFIRMING
ENVIRONMENT
- Members
and friends are encouraged
- To engage
in ongoing dialogues about sexual orientation issues in order
to develop deeper understanding and trust,
- To not
tolerate derogatory remarks towards gay, lesbian, trandsgender
or bisexual persons,
- To be
aware of their assumptions about another’s sexual orientation,
- To become
more accepting of affectionate and caring expressions between
people, regardless of sexual orientation,
- To talk
to those who are possibly uninformed about sexual orientation
issues or less exposed to gay, lesbian, trandsgendered or bisexual
persons and, therefore, may have strong reservations about our
being a Welcoming Congregation.
- Religious
education leaders are asked to create an atmosphere in which youth
who are gay, lesbian, trandsgendered or bisexual feel safe and
feel free to discuss their concerns.
- A Rainbow
Banner is displayed to symbolize gay pride, diversity, and the
acceptance of people of all sexual orientations.
OPEN AND INCLUSIVE
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
- Religious
ceremonies are provided without regard to the sexual orientation
of the participants.
- Social events
and activities are organized to accept and be respectful of people
of all sexual orientations.
- Religious
education programming for children, youth, and adults inclusively
addresses issues relating to human sexuality and sexual orientation,
in an age appropriate manner.
- Church leaders,
including the Minister, religious education staff and volunteer
teachers, are chosen without regard to sexual orientation.
- Worship
services are designed to be reflective of the concerns of people
of all sexual orientations.
WORK FOR RIGHTS
AND DIGNITY IN THE LARGER COMMUNITY
- The congregation
engages in affirmative outreach to people who are gay, lesbian,
trandsgendered or bisexual.
- The congregation
actively publicizes to the larger community that we are a Welcoming
Congregation.
- The congregation
is educated and prepared on how to respond to possible negative
publicity.
- Friends,
members and groups within the congregation will speak out against
homophobia and for compassion in human relations.
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