|
A purple poster is taped to the front window of Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs. It reads, “We are a Welcoming Congregation. This Unitarian Universalist community welcomes and celebrates the presence and participation of bisexual, gay, lesbian and/or transgender persons.”
Davies has been officially recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) as a Welcoming Congregation. Nearly 60% of the Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States have received that recognition.
Becoming a Welcoming Congregation was a natural following to the congregation’s decision to become an intentionally racially diverse congregation. That choice was made tentatively in the early 1990's and more definitively as the congregation moved forward to be racially and ethnically diverse. A major part of that experience was a desire to reflect the ethnic makeup of the surrounding community and to enter into dialogue and conversation with each other. The congregation grew in diversity and called its first African American minister, The Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr., in 2005.
At a Jubilee Workshop in March 2006, three of the six breakout groups independently suggested that Davies should become a Welcoming Congregation. The time was right and the church was ready.
“Standing on the Side of Love”
Rev. Crestwell delivered a defining sermon, "Standing on the Side of Love," and his message was enthusiastically received by the congregation. He subsequently was invited to and spoke in Annapolis about the need for change in the State of Maryland's legal support of all couples. In the context of the historic denunciation of homosexuals by African American evangelical ministers in major local black churches, Rev. Crestwell’s public stand was noteworthy.
Since the 1960s, Davies has always had a strong focus on civil rights and justice. The congregation has always been accepting and nurturing of members of the BGLT community without any intentional decision to be welcoming of them. The church fulfilled the requirements, voted and approved unanimously, and petitioned the UUA to make official what it historically had always been.
Learning from others
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring (UUCSS) became a Welcoming Congregation more than ten years ago. Davies was just beginning the process, and the church had recently become intentionally racially diverse. The two congregations could learn from each other.
Each congregation hosted the other for weekend workshops. Davies took advantage of the Silver Spring Church's experience of being a Welcoming Congregation. Reciprocally, UUCSS sent members to Davies to learn about Davies anti-racism work and its growth in diversity.
Becoming a Welcoming Congregation
The church, through the leadership of its Religious Education Director, offered the "Our Whole Lives" sexuality curriculum to middle school students both in the church and in the community. The church also held a series of eight workshops which were attended by approximately one-third of the congregation. "Ma Vie en Rose," a Belgian movie, was shown, followed by discussion. The discussions for both the workshops and the movie were open, sometimes uncomfortable, but never contentious. One church member said, “It felt as though we had learned the skill of sharing thoughtfully and listening carefully from our discussions on race and ethnicity. There was a sense that welcoming of people with all of the diverse kinds of sexuality that go with the human condition would be part our emerging cultural and racial diversity.”
Next Steps
One major focus for the church this year is to organize within the church and with others to lobby in the State Capital for the adoption of equal marriage status legislation slated to be considered in the fall. It is an historic opportunity for the Maryland legislature to put an end to discrimination. The Welcoming Congregation Committee is looking to both the Interfaith Fairness Coalition of Maryland and Maryland Equality as well as others.
The church is located at 7400 Temple Hill Road, Camp Springs MD and is accessible to the handicapped. More information may be found at www.dmuuc.org or 301-449-4308.
|
About Our Diversity Growth Plan Request updates for this site. Our
Principles
Our
Beliefs
Our
History
Our Minister & Staff
Sunday
Morning Worship Services
Religious
Education
Programs
Caring
Network
Membership
Virtual
Memorials
Neighbors
Links
 |
