Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne
We Are a Welcoming Congregation
On June 2, 1997, our congregation received its official “Welcoming Congregation” designation, as we are open to and affirming of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. In the months leading up to that date, our congregation held two sessions of the UUA's Welcoming Congregation program. And we also examined and updated all aspects of our congregational life to reflect inclusion and advocacy for all people regardless of sexual orientation. This included our membership materials, hiring practices, bylaws, worship services, rite-of-passage ceremonies, religious education programs, work with other congregations, the press and the media, other community organizations, and the schools in our geographic area.
In the spring of 1996, in response to a school board's resolution condemning homosexuality, our congregation’s Gay/Lesbian Issues Group sent a copy of the book, The Journey Out: A Guide for and about Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Teens, to each of the 41 public and private middle and high schools in Allen County. The books were also sent to the school librarians with a letter encouraging them to expand their libraries to include books “which help increase understanding of what it means to be a gay or lesbian adolescent or adult, student or teacher.” Copies of the letter were sent to each school's principal, the local newspapers, the book's publisher, the Gay-Lesbian-Straight Teachers Network, and the National Education Association. That project was funded by a request for contributions from congregants. Over $400 was raised, which fully covered the project’s costs.
Unitarian Universalism is a caring, open-minded faith community. Our congregations are places where people gather to nurture their spirits and put their faith into action by helping to make our communities, and the world a better place.
Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations extend a warm welcome to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, families, and communities. We work to promote acceptance, inclusion, understanding, and equity for LGBT persons of all ages, abilities, colors, and genders, both within our denomination and in society at large. We are committed to protecting the civil and legal rights of LGBT people and families across the country.
