Welcoming LGBTQ+ People and Our Familes!
We invite you to review all 52 of our 2024 weekly posts for our popular series 52 Ways to Expand Your Welcome to LGBTQ+ People and Our Families: Our 2024 Edition. Click here to review the entire series!
52 Ways to Expand Your Welcome to LGBTQ+ People and Our Families: Our 2024 Edition
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The 52 Ways to Expand Your Welcome to LGBTQ+ People and Our Families Series
52 Ways #52: Embrace the Challenges and Joys of LGBTQ Ministry!
Throughout 2024 we have reprised — and updated! — our popular weekly blog 52 Ways to Expand Your Welcome to LGBTQ+ People and Our Families. Every week, for the past year, we have posted suggestions on how your faith community can become more welcoming to – and inclusive of – LGBTQ+ People and Our Families. […]
52 Ways #51: Create a Calendar of LGBTQ Events for Next Year
Get ready for 2025 by planning ahead to recognize important holidays and events in LGBTQ communities. You can work with the leadership of your community of faith to incorporate these into worship, educational programs, outreach events, and more. Select which holidays, events, and commemorations are most applicable to your situation and make plans accordingly. Some […]
52 Ways #50: Build Alliances with LGBTQ Communities Outside of Your Congregation
Once your congregation has made the decision to welcome and include LGBTQ people, don’t keep the news of your welcome within the walls of the congregation – spread the word! There are many effective ways of doing this, including regular congregational advertisements in the gay and straight press (both online and print); postings on the […]
52 Ways #49: Create Inclusive Space and Celebrate Inclusive Rituals
Create Inclusive Space Congregational space can be exclusive space especially with regard to transgender individuals. For instance, most congregations still do not provide all-gender restroom facilities and this omission can be a considerable barrier for transgender persons who belong, attend, or visit your congregation. Providing at least one accessible all-gender restroom is an important sign […]
52 Ways #48: Support LGBTQ People During the Holidays
When our families are supportive, it makes a huge difference for LGBTQ people. But not everyone has family support … and the holidays can be especially challenging for some people. As the December holidays approach, make plans now to reach out to those who may be feeling isolated. Think about how the language of sermons […]
52 Ways #47: Integrate LGBTQ People into the Life of Your Congregation
Once a congregation has publicly declared its welcome, it needs to work toward including and integrating queer people more fully in all aspects of congregational life. Since a community of care assumes, accepts, and celebrates the presence of queer people within its midst, the day-to-day life of the congregation should reflect this. Renovating congregational life […]