At 1U, 2023-2024 was a year of purposefulness concerning Welcoming Congregation activities and outreach among our members and in the community

First Unitarian of Orlando(1U) was certified by the UUA as a Welcoming Congregation on April 11, 1994.  1U applied  to formally Renew our UUA Welcoming Congregation certification last fall  by being deliberate in activities and functions of our church during the year. In the spring, we submitted a report that showed ways 1U engaged in the required “Five Practices of Welcome Renewal.”

Starting with our new certification granted in June 2024, Welcoming Congregation Renewed, 1U has committed to be part of the Renewal process yearly. This involves activities that indicate involvement in activities and functions of our church during the year that touch on the Five Practices of Welcome Renewal.

 The Five Practices of Welcome Renewal are purposeful actions that every congregation works to integrate into congregational life in order to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, genderqueer, non-binary, and feel fully welcomed, centered, and embraced.

These five areas of activity and purpose offered by The UUA guide for Welcoming Congregation Renewal serve to guide specific choices a congregation makes regarding learning, supporting, and reaching out in support of the LGBTQUIA+ folks, friends and family in our congregation and in our community.  The Renewal program knows every congregation has different concerns and needs. These practices are a guide.

 

Five Practices

Becoming a Welcoming Congregation

To renew, a congregation must have been certified as a Welcoming Congregation by the UUA. 1U was certified as a Welcoming Congregation on April 11, 1994.

Welcoming Worship Services

Another Practice of Welcome Renewal is incorporating Welcoming Worship Services into our ordinary calendar of worship every year

Welcoming Days of Observance

The Welcoming Days of Observance are recognized and celebrated in order to bring visibility and affirmation despite recent legislation and policy changes. These days remind all that “All of who you are is sacred. All of who you are is welcome.”

Welcoming – A whole church Activity or Program

The fourth Practice of Welcome Renewal is an annual opportunity for your

congregation to experience a Welcoming Congregation Module offered by the UUA or a local seminar for its local congregation and community.

Welcoming – A Project

The fifth Practice of Welcome Renewal is Support a Welcoming Project. Welcoming Congregations are congregations that give generously of our gifts and resources.

Welcoming- Other – What your beloved community needs

 

Actions of commitment during the Year were reported to the Welcoming Renewal office at UUA at the end of the church year by the 1U Justice Council. 1U Staff at Worship and in programs showed 1U’s commitment to the issues of LGBTQUIA+, their families and friends.  The work will continue and 1U hopes to expand on the work of last year.

The UUA hopes that every congregation that renews continues each year to continue growing beloved congregation in traditional ways and new ways, reaching out with love.

More information about the Welcoming Renewal program is  here.