The Welcoming Congregation Committee

Mission Statement: To provide a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment in our congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

 

We are officially recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation. To obtain that status we completed a series of workshops, developed by the UUA, designed to reduce prejudice by increasing understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations. Some of the workshop titles were: the Common Elements of Oppression; Religion and Homosexuality; How Homophobia Hurts Us All.

 

Throughout the learning program, which lasted approximately 18 months, the Welcoming Congregation Committee monitored and recorded progress using specific action steps provided by the UUA. In addition to the required steps we also did additional activities which included: pertinent movies; a GLBT panel for Q&A; a trip to the Atlanta Historical Society for an exhibit on “Being Gay in Atlanta in the 1970’s’. Once Emerson completed all steps and took a congregational vote on becoming a Welcoming Congregation, the committee mailed the information to UUA and requested formal recognition, which was granted in 2007.

 

We continue our involvement by remaining active locally in GLBT issues, making our congregation/community aware of national GLBT issues and providing programs and activities. We have a formal Welcoming Committee that meets monthly to continue to plan for Emerson’s growth in this area. For more information about the Welcoming Congregation at Emerson, contact Susan Tomicheck.

Upcoming Events & Efforts

The Atlanta Pride Festival (October 30 – November 1)

A small group of UUCA members who have been very active in the Pride weekend over the years will visit Emerson on October 4th. The committees will "display their wares" that Sunday and the UUCA group will be available to answer questions. They want us to become more involved and excited about participating in Pride Weekend activities. If you cannot attend, you can support Pride Weekend by making things at home and sending them with those going, such as signs with Emerson's name on them so walkers can pin them on their shirts. Joe and Susan Tomichek are organizing this event, so please call them at 770-977-1760 if you have questions.

 

Welcoming Congregation Committee Photo Gallery