Channing Memorial Church, Unitarian Universalist

The Channing Memorial Church Welcoming Congregation Team worked for more than 2 years to take the steps needed to become a Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) “Welcoming Congregation.” The UUA defines the Welcoming Congregation program as a method through which congregations become intentionally more inclusive toward bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people, who have historically been intentionally excluded from many religious communities.

The role of the Welcoming Congregation Team Team was to engage the congregation in a dialogue about this process. To this end, the team:

• Attended several workshops on becoming a Welcoming Congregation.
• Conducted its own series of Welcoming Congregation Adult RE workshops for Channing members on issues for gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transgender people, and on what becoming a Welcoming Congregation means.
• Held a lay-led service in the form of 'conversations' that addressed questions and concerns on what it means to be a Welcoming Congregation. This service engaged the congregation more fully in what this effort means for CMC, and for Unitarian Universalist individuals and families.
• Held forums to address questions and issues raised by CMC members.

In May 2007, the congregation voted to become a Welcoming Congregation and be formally recognized by the UUA.

In February 2008, the UUA officially certified Channing Memorial Church as a UUA Welcoming Congregation. Our doors are open to all!

See Welcoming Congregation resources for additional information.