Welcoming Congregation

The Welcoming Congregation Program
In the 1980s and 90s, when the word “welcoming” became a code word for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, the Unitarian Universalist Association launched a Welcoming Congregation Program to help us learn how to undo homophobia—and later, transphobia (prejudice against transgender people)—in our hearts and minds, our congregations, and our communities.

Today, most Unitarian Universalist congregations are recognized Welcoming Congregations. The spiritual practice of welcome is a very important one to our faith community.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City is renewing our Welcoming Congregation status to ensure that we are living our principles, especially in relation to the LGBTQ+ community.

Here you will learn about the steps we are taking in the renewal program and discover important information about how our congregation can become more welcoming and inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Our Congregation is dedicated to learning more about LGBTQ+ issues in order to become a more welcoming congregation.  We are in the process of renewing our UUA “Welcoming Congregation" certification.

The Welcoming Congregation Committee (WCC) has initiated several programs to help us along this journey:

• Focus Groups to encourage discussion and clarification of ideas about the LGBTQ+ community.

• Three-minute presentations at the beginning of worship services to share information about language and attitudes.

• Transforming Hearts Collective Modules online.