First Unitarian Universalist Church 2434 E Battlefield (East from Glenstone), Springfield, Missouri (MAP) Sunday Services at 11am (Childcare Available);    (417) 883-3922 We Are A Welcoming Congregation!

We Are a Welcoming Congregation
at 1st UU Church of Springfield, Missouri

Members of the First UU Church of Springfield voted to be called a Welcoming Congregation to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons who are looking for a church home in which they are comfortable with personally and religiously.

The vote was taken Sunday, May 16, 2004, at the semi-annual congregational meeting held after regular Sunday services. This caps a 26-month program of workshops, special services and other activities in which GLBT issues and topics were studied. 

It was agreed that the Springfield UU Church already welcomed, without discrimination, people of all sexual orientations. However, being formally called a Welcoming Congregation will send that message out publicly to those interested in a liberal non-discriminatory church home. It also means the church maintains a program of education in GLBT issues, makes sure the congregational life  reflects affirming non-discrimination, in church actions and publications, and in outreach to Springfield and the Ozarks.

After a brief report on the proposal, church members at the meeting discussed what it would be like to be called Welcoming. There were questions asked, and answered, on how church members, both within the church and publicly, would react and whether they would be comfortable living up to the called designation of being welcoming.

The topic was presented by Scoop Peery and the discussion and questions were led by Kathy Null and Board President Dean Bliss. At latest count 422 of the more than l,000 UU societies are now called Welcoming Congregations. Springfield is the second UU group in Missouri to vote to be called Welcoming.  Fayetteville and Jonesboro Arkansas, plus 12 congregations in Texas, are already Welcoming.

A report has been sent in to the UUA Identity Based Member office (formerly the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns) that will add the local congregation to the list and send a letter of congratulations, along with a poster that proclaims Springfield is a Welcoming Congregation.

The process of being welcoming is not over. Scoop was appointed as the “watchdog” to see that the program is continued to be carried out. This will involve having a revived Interweave chapter check our programs, literature and public outreach to continue the actions needed to help our church live up to the Welcoming Congregation designation. Volunteers please contact Scoop Peery at DavidPeery@aol.com.

The Welcoming Congregation Program is a completely volunteer program for congregations that see a need to become more inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people. It consists of a series of workshops developed by the UUA. The goal of the workshops is to reduce prejudice by increasing understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations. Some of the workshop titles include: How Homophobia Hurts Heterosexuals; Connections to Other Forms of Oppression; Gender Socialization and Homophobia; and Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality.

For more information from the UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns about the Welcoming Congregation Program, please click here or contact the church office at 883-3922.