A Welcoming Congregation
The BVUUF has been recognized by the UUA as a Welcoming Congregation. Furthermore, the BVUUF has amended its bylaws to make the following statement:
In all our activities and endeavors—including membership, programming, hiring practices, and the call of religious professionals—the congregation affirms and promotes the full participation of persons without regard to race, color, gender, gender expression, physical or mental challenge, affectional or sexual orientation, age, class, or national origin.—Amendment to the BVUUF bylaws, adopted May 2000
Find out more about the UUA’s Welcoming Congregation program, and the criteria that the BVUUF had to meet to become certified.
Here is the full resolution that the BVUUF approved in May 2000:
Welcoming Congregation Resolution
(Approved at The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s annual meeting, May 21, 2000)
We, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, agree to embrace the designation from the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation. We affirm our intention to work toward becoming truly welcoming to Gays, Lesbians, Bisexual and Transgender persons.
A Welcoming Congregation Implementation Group shall be created by the Board of Officers and Trustees of the Fellowship to help guide the congregation in our efforts as we work toward the goals of the UUA Welcoming Congregation Program.
How we plan to proceed: The following guidelines were derived from the outline for the Welcoming Congregation Program, adopted by the delegates of the 1989 Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly.
As a Welcoming Congregation we will:
- Strive to be inclusive and expressive of the concerns of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender persons at every level of congregational life.
- Strive to incorporate in all programs, as appropriate, an understanding of the experiences of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender persons.
- Offer congregational and ministerial support for services of union and memorial services for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender persons and for celebrations of the evolving definition of family.
- Welcome same-gender couples by recognizing their committed relationships, and strive to equally affirm expressions of love without regard to sexual orientation.
- Engage in outreach to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community.
- Strive to be advocates for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender persons and work to promote justice, freedom and equality in the larger society.
- Affirm and celebrate Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender issues and history.
- Nurture ongoing dialogue between people of all affectional and sexual orientations and gender identifications to create deeper trust and sharing.
Additionally, we hope that the Fellowship will continue to support an ongoing Welcoming Congregation Committee to lead us in continuing efforts to achieve our intention to become truly welcoming to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender persons.