First Parish Church in Weston is officially a Welcoming Congregation as recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association. This means we affirm and include people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer at every level of congregational life—in worship, in leadership, and in social occasions—welcoming them as whole people.
What is a Welcoming Congregation?
In the 1980s and 90s, when the word “welcoming” became a code word for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) launched the 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.
The UUA’s position is that each of us has worth and dignity, and that worth includes our gender and our sexuality. As Unitarian Universalists (UUs), we not only open our doors to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, we value diversity of sexuality and gender and see it as a spiritual gift. We create inclusive religious communities and work for LGBTQ justice and equity as a core part of who we are. All of who you are is sacred. All of who you are is welcome.
Welcoming Congregation Certification
On February 6th, 2022, at the annual meeting of the congregation, First Parish Church in Weston UNANIMOUSLY voted to accept official recognition as a Welcoming Congregation! Click here for an overview of programs and achievements from our initial certification.
The Welcoming Congregation program now has a renewal process to encourage and emphasize the importance of ongoing learning and deeper understanding. First Parish is continuing the important work of welcoming diversity through education, community advocacy, and congregational programs.
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
Books in the First Parish Library:
These books were recently added and are available for borrowing.
- Coming Out in Faith by Susan A. Gore and Keith Kron, eds.
- Queer There and Everywhere by Sarah Prager
- Transgender 101: A Simple Guide to a Complex Issue by Nicholas M. Teich
- This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids by Dan Owens-Reid and Kristin Russo
- Trans Allyship Workbook by Davey Shlasko
- The Gender Creative Child by Diane Ehrensaft
- A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronshi
Other helpful resources:
LTBGQ+ Pride & Affirmation
Congregation members stamped colorful handprints on this banner made by the children of our church school program.