Michelle Robinson’s, pastor of Clayton Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, leadership statement on “Welcome":

The word “Welcome” comes from the Old English and means “one whose coming is pleasant.” I love that we begin with a welcome because as Unitarian Universalists, “welcome” connects us to our 7 principles. In Unitarian Universalism, you can bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, your expansive heart. Together, we create a force more powerful than one person or one belief system. As Unitarian Universalists, we do not have to check our personal background and beliefs at the door: we join together on a journey that honors everywhere we’ve been before. As Unitarian Universalists, we "stand on the side of love," embracing all people regardless of age, color, race, socioeconomic status, physical ability, religious background, sexual orientation, sexual identity or questioning individuals. No one is merely “tolerated” here—like you are someone we are putting up with. Your beliefs are not humored here. We are not enduring your presence. You are embraced in this place. Your beliefs are respected and encouraged to be uniquely yours. We are holding one another with gratitude and awe of how we are alike and different. So, welcome to Clayton Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church.

CONGRATULATIONS to the 12 newly approved and newly renewed Welcoming Congregations of 2017. 

Approved

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Plattsburgh, Plattsburg, NY - February 2017

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Blue Ridge, Sperryville, VA - February 2017

Unitarian Universalist Church of Weymouth, Weymouth, MA - February 2017

Kearsarge Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, New London, NH - February 2017

Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Damariscotta, ME - April 2017

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Hill Country, Kerrville, TX - May 2017

Clayton Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, Newberry, SC - May 2017

The Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship, Fairhope, AL - June 2017

First Unitarian Church of Memphis (Church of the River), Memphis, TN - June 2017

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of New Bern, New Bern, NC - June 2017

Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Pagosa Springs, CO - August 2017

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia, Visalia, CA - September

Renewed

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South Hill, Pittsburgh, PA - May 2017

Unitarian Universalist Church of Washington County, Hillsboro, OR - August 2017

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples, Naples, FL - August 2017

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Salem, OR - September 2017

For more information the Welcoming Congregations program please visit hWelcoming Congregation pages or contact lgbtq@uua.org.