Welcoming Congregation, Second Edition:
Resources for Affirming Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and/or Transgender PersonsBy Scott Alexander, Keith Kron, Meg Riley
- Theme and Description
- The resource manual for The Welcoming Congregation Program (WCP). WCP is a voluntary program that helps congregations become more intentionally inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people by helping them confront homophobia in their congregations, both in individuals and the institution. This manual includes an attitude questionnaire, leader guidelines, 14 workshops, and extensive background reading.
- Goals for Participants
- To learn more about themselves;
To learn more about their congregation in terms of inclusion;
To actively make their congregation more welcoming to bisexual, gay, lesbian and/or transgender persons.
- Age Range
- Youth/Adult
- Size of Group
- The program is intended to involve as many people in the congregation as possible, including those in leadership roles.
- Space Requirements
- The Welcoming Congregation Program (WCP) is a congregational process that is not limited to one space. Participants design the program, which may involve small and large meeting spaces, worship, committee meetings, films, and recreational activities.
- Number and Length of Sessions
- 14 sessions, flexible design
Length: About 2 hours; congregational processes vary widely - Leader Training
- Training is offered and recommended but not required. Good facilitation skills, openness to shared leadership, and a commitment to the values of the program are appropriate leadership qualities.
Depending upon the leaders' backgrounds, this program could require considerable leader reading an dplanning time.
- Strengths
- Offers good workshop models.
Includes extensive resources.
Has a flexible design.
Provides effective consciousness-raising activities.
Moves participants toward action.
Leads to the designation "A Welcoming Congregation." - Limitations
- Requires congregations to design their own process. Support is available through the UUA's Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns, phone (617)742-2100 x470.
- Adaptability
- This is not one program, but a resource manual to be adapted by each community
Older teens can be included fully in the process; all-church programming can also include children. - Unitarian Universalist Values
- Deepens understanding of and commitment to UU Principles, particularly 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.
Reviewed on June 30, 1996
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