Tapestry of Faith: Faith Like a River: A Program on Unitarian Universalist History for Adults

Handout 2: Who Is Welcome in Our Congregations

From Weaving the Fabric of Diversity, by Jacqui James and Judith A. Frediani (Boston: UUA, 1996).

Complete this survey twice—once for the "Me" column and once for the "My Congregation" column. You will not be asked to share your responses.

1. Starting with the "Me" column, write the letter (T, M, or B from the key below) that best describes your reaction to each person listed.

T (top) = people you would really like to have in your congregation; people you would sit and talk with

M (middle) = people you might like to see, but you're not sure

B (bottom) = people you would not like to have join your congregation; people you would not sit and talk with

2. Using the "My Congregation" column, write the letter (T, M, or B) that best describes how your congregation would respond to each of the people listed.

Me

My congregation

 
   

Elderly single male

   

Elderly single female

   

Interracial couple

   

Ex-convict

   

Extremely overweight person

   

Person with noticeable hygiene problem

   

Person who sings in a loud monotone

   

Articulate, well educated Caucasian male

   

Articulate, well educated Caucasian female

   

Heterosexual with children

   

Caucasian blue-collar male

   

Caucasian blue-collar female

   

Unemployed person

   

Person on public assistance

   

Single person under 30

   

Person with a European accent

   

Person with non-European accent

   

Person who wears fur coats

   

Native American

   

African American

   

Latino/a

   

Asian American

   

Arab American

   

Person who uses a wheelchair

   

Gay male

   

Lesbian

   

Person who is bisexual

   

Transgender person

   

Gay couple

   

Lesbian couple

   

Person with severe physical deformity

   

Person with alcohol on their breath

   

Emotionally disturbed person with unpredictable behavior

   

Person with a neuromuscular disorder (Cerebral Palsy, Tourette Syndrome, etc)

   

Smoker

   

Political/social liberal

   

Political/social conservative

   

Homeless person

   

Person testing HIV positive

   

Recovering sex addict

   

Vegetarian

   

Atheist