Welcoming Congregation
In Unitarian Universalist churches and fellowships, we affirm the worth and dignity of every person. This is the first of our seven principles and purposes. That means we welcome all persons to join us in worship and fellowship.
Here at the beginning of the third millennium it is shocking that personal and civil rights are denied to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in our American culture. Initiatives to remove essential civil rights of GLBT persons have met resistance from those who support the right to sexual preference.
At Evergreen UU Fellowship we actively welcome GLBT persons. In 1994, we went on record in our formal documents to welcome and support GLBT persons as members or friends of our congregation, concluding a process of the Unitarian Universalist Association called “Welcoming Congregations.” We have an active committee advocating for GLBT issues and creating supports for these valuable participants in our church family.
During the 2007-08
church year the Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) group sponsored a process
to renew and refresh our congregational commitment to being fully
welcoming of GLBT persons. With four workshops, two special Sunday
services led by the UUA director for GLBT diversity, and a re-writing
of the Welcoming Congregation Resolution originating in 1994, the congregation passed a
renewed and revised resolution at its annual meeting in June 2008, affirming once again its
commitment to being a Welcoming Congregation.
If you would like to know more about us as a
welcoming congregation, please contact Cindy Worthen. Or if you would like to visit privately with our
minister to learn more about Evergreen Fellowship, please send an email
to Rev. Bruce Davis.
THE WELCOMING CONGREGATION
1994 Resolution, Renewed 2008
of
Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
BECAUSE the Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity and compassion in human relation; the goal of community with peace, liberty and justice for all; and respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part; and
BECAUSE there was passage of The Welcoming Congregation Resolution at the 1989 General Assembly of the Unitarian Univeralist Association; and
BECAUSE the Mission/Covenant of Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship proclaims: We join together to affirm and encourage: a caring, supportive community which nurtures spiritual growth and renewal; a celebration of life’s joys and sorrows; an open forum for the examination of ideas and the pursuit of truths without the barrier of creeds; responsibility for one’s beliefs and actions by sharing talents and resources for the welfare of the wider community; an ethical use of knowledge; and a reverence for life; and
BECAUSE the Bylaws of Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship were also amended by vote on May 23, 1993 to add a new section to ARTICLE II. PURPOSE which states as follows: Section 3. Inclusion. This congregation affirms and promotes the full participation of persons in all our activities and endeavors; including membership, programming, hiring practices, and the calling of religious professionals; without regard to race, color, gender, physical or mental challenge, affectional or sexual orientation, political affiliation, class or national origin; and
BECAUSE the issue of discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons will continue to be a threat to civil rights in Washington State, as it has in other states; and
BECAUSE there is a need for church communities, and other people of faith and integrity, to continue to speak out against such discrimination based on sexual orientation and to take action against future attempts to impose legislation that would target gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship shall attempt to be inclusive and expressive of the concerns of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons at every level of congregational life; and shall examine bylaws, documents, policies and rituals to assure affirmation and nondiscrimination based on affectional or sexual orientation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship celebrate the lives of all people, inviting and welcoming same-gender couples and their families, recognizing their committed relationships, and affirming displays of caring and affection without regard to affectional or sexual orientation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship take steps to reaffirm the process of being a Welcoming Congregation, and renew its certification through the Unitarian Universalist Association;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship seek to nurture ongoing dialogue among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual persons to create deeper trust and sharing in our local community; and
FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED that Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, attending to legislative developments and working to promote justice, freedom and equality in the larger society; and make a commitment to speak out when the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are at stake.