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Massachusetts church earns Welcoming Congregation designation
First Parish Church in Taunton, Massachusetts, was recently designated as a Welcoming Congregation by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Congregations certified as Welcoming have followed guidelines to become explicitly welcoming and inclusive to LGBTQ people. The congregation’s minister, the Rev. Christana McKnight, said, “No matter what your orientation is, coming to church with your partner and children isn’t something you should have to hide. . . . It’s unfortunate that religion has become a place where many people assume they have to hide who they are. We want to be really clear in our stance of inclusivity.” (Taunton Daily Gazette, 4.29.19)
Read more about the UUA's Welcoming Congregation Program.
Texas fellowship donates healthy food
San Marcos UU Fellowship in San Marcos, Texas, has focused on donating healthy food to its local food bank. The congregation’s Social Justice Chair Jeannie Lewis said, “SMUUF has participated each year in this Healthy Food Drive and regularly donates the most fresh produce. We also help support the two Food Bank garden plots at Alamo Community Garden, which provides fresh produce year round.” (San Marcos Daily Record, 4.25.19)
Wisconsin congregation collects stories of adversity
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has partnered with another local organization to “ collect stories of adversity and injustice.” The congregation’s ministerial intern, Rachel Carter, said “the project is hoped to empower people who have before now been afraid to speak about their experiences or have felt they aren’t being heard or listened to.” (Chippewa Herald, 4.25.19)