First Parish Bedford UU

Having fulfilled the requirements of our denomination to be a “Welcoming Congregation,” First Parish is intentional about celebrating the presence and full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in all aspects of congregational life. We also welcome all persons regardless of race, economic status, theological and political perspective, or other distinctions that keep us from embracing our common humanity. We acknowledge that we still have work to do and we welcome your advice about how we may be more welcoming.  We want to say, truthfully: All are welcome here!

The Welcoming Congregation Program is a completely volunteer program for congregations that see a need to become more inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people. It consists of a series of workshops developed by the UUA. The goal of the workshops is to reduce prejudice by increasing understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations.

Some of the workshop titles include: How Homophobia Hurts Heterosexuals; Connections to Other Forms of Oppression; Gender Socialization and Homophobia; and Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality. Many congregations offer the workshop series several consecutive times as an adult religious education curriculum open to all members and friends.

In some congregations the workshop series (and later the entire program) is sponsored by a Welcoming Congregation Task Force/Committee created for just this purpose, while other congregations sponsor the workshop series through their Interweave chapters. In either case, the workshops are best facilitated by those that have experienced the curriculum.