In an 18 month period between 2004 and 2006, Unitarian Coastal Fellowship completed the rigorous UUA requirements to become a Welcoming Congregation and created the Welcoming Congregation statement that can be found on the first page of this newsletter. In 2018, the UUA recommended that all Welcoming Congregations complete an annual renewal process to ensure that their congregation is continuing to uphold the promise that is made in our statement.

In February, a subcommittee of the Social Action Committee began working toward that renewal process. They recognized that the information on gender preference and identity has exploded in recent years and that, as a congregation, we need a lot of education to understand exactly what we are committing to and how to best express our welcoming of all.

At the first meeting they reviewed the requirements for renewing our status – which must be done within one year of starting the process.

By February 2023, the following requirements must be met:
• Become A Welcoming Congregation – This was done in 2006
• Welcoming Worship Services – We must hold at least two per year; LGBTQ+ marriages, naming ceremonies, or Remembrance Services may also count for this requirement
• Welcoming Days of Observance – at least 6/year – There are many ways to fulfill this requirement by recognizing specific days in LGBTQ+ history during a service, in our newsletter, or in the Wave
• Welcoming Religious Education – at least one module per year – this requirement can be filled by a class, documentary film with discussion, common read, etc.
• Support a Welcoming Project – we are already doing this and will continue both by financial contributions to state LGBTQ+ supporting organizations, and support for local LGBTQ+ organizations like Crystal Coast Proud

You will be seeing evidence of the work towards this Welcoming Congregation renewal in the near future. We invite your questions, comments or suggestions. Contact Amy Jones ([email protected]) or Barb Thomas ([email protected]).