We are proud to be a Welcoming Congregation

UUCM has a beautiful stained glass Rainbow Flag complete with a pink triangle chalice hanging in our sanctuary, designed and sponsored by UUCM’s Interweave Committee and created by local artist Joy Del Santo. The pink triangle is the symbol Nazi Germany forced gay men to wear in concentration camps that has since been reclaimed as a symbol of solidarity and pride and the flame was designed by one of our former interim ministers Reverend Margaret Keip.

In addition to completing a special program (below) to become a Welcoming Congregation to bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people, we cherish diversity and welcome among us people of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual identities/orientations, and faith perspectives.

What Does it Mean to be a "Welcoming Congregation"? 

Congregations that publicly and successfully welcome bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender (b/g/l/t) people have the following qualities in that they:

• Include and address the needs of b/g/l/t 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.

• Assume the presence of b/g/l/t people and celebrates this diversity by having inclusive language and content in their worship and religious education.

• Include an affirmation and nondiscrimination clause in by-laws and other official documents affecting all dimensions of congregational life, including membership, hiring practices, and the calling of religious professionals.

• Engage in outreach into the b/g/l/t community in its advertising and by actively supporting b/g/l/t affirmative groups.

• Offer congregational and ministerial support for union and memorial services for b/g/l/t persons, and for celebrations of all families.

• Celebrate the lives of all people and their ways of expressing their love for each other.

• Seek to nurture ongoing dialogue between bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, and heterosexual persons and to create deeper trust and sharing.

• Encourage the presence of an Interweave chapter. Affirm and celebrate b/g/l/t issues and history during the church year.

• Attend to legislative developments and work to promote justice, freedom, and equality in the larger society by speaking out when the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people are at stake.