The congregants of the UUCP hereby declare that We are and intend to remain a Welcoming Congregation.

A resolution that we become a Welcoming Congregation was adopted by unanimous vote at the Annual Meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton on Saturday, May 18, 2002.

Whereas, The members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton (UUCP) ascribe to the seven purposes and principles of the UUA, among them being the belief in the "inherent worth and dignity of all people";

Whereas, The Mission Statement of the UUCP directs us "To be a growing religious community of people, supporting each other, living the Unitarian Universalist principles, welcoming and celebrating diversity, and respecting differences of opinion"; and

Whereas, Our statement of welcome proclaimed at every Sunday service promises to "welcome all who share our Principles…without regard to…sexual orientation";

Resolved, That the congregants of the UUCP hereby declare that we are and intend to remain a Welcoming Congregation.

BACKGROUND

In 1987, the Common Vision Planning Committee was formed by the UUA to collect information about how welcomed and accepted gays, lesbians, and bisexual (GL&B) persons felt in their UU congregations. The Committee found many negative attitudes, deep prejudices, and profound ignorance about GL&B people. Many GL&B UU's reported that they felt unaffirmed, unwelcomed, and unsupported in their liberal religious communities. In all likelihood, the many members of UU congregations who have gay, lesbian, or bisexual family and friends also felt that they did not have a safe place to discuss the lives of the people they love. This situation, so inconsistent with our UU values, was deeply troubling. As a result, the delegates of the 1989 General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to initiate the Welcoming Congregation program to educate and sensitize its members regarding GL&B concerns.

The resolution of 2002 represented the culmination of nearly five years of congregational consciousness-raising workshops, dedicated worship services, and serious introspection. Changes and additions were made in our adult and children's R.E.programs. The wording (often subtle) of our bylaws, of items in our worship services, of our publications and statements by staff and congregants were more sensitively considered.

Our task is not finished. As noted by a member Tony Tucker, despite the work of the Civil Rights movement, African-Americans still face discrimination, and the need for a group to promote diversity within the congregation will always be needed.