Welcoming Your Whole Self

From its beginning, INUUC has welcomed individuals regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation and received families of all configurations with open arms.  People who are trans, nonbinary or intersex, queer, two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bi and pansexual, asexual – however you identify – you can find an affirming spiritual community here.  Since June 2026, we are proud to have officially earned the Welcoming Congregation status from the Unitarian Universalist Association.  The work to be a  Welcoming Congregation reflects our ongoing journey to integrate 2SLGBTQIA+ affirmation into our worship, educational programs, social justice work and daily congregational life.  We at INUUC strive to live out radical hospitality.

How We Live Out Our Commitment

Being a Welcoming Congregation is an ongoing promise to include 2SLGBTQIA+ themes across our programming.

Congregational Life & Welcome

• Leadership & Participation: 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals serve in all areas of lay leadership, board membership, committee work and professional ministry.
• Hospitality: Our greeters and ushers offer an affirming environment for first-time visitors of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
• Gender-Affirming Space: We provide gender-neutral, accessible restrooms where our Sunday services are held.
• LGBTQ+ Circle:  Aims to celebrate, affirm, support and connect LGBTQ+ community members and our allies through regular gatherings.  (link)

Inclusive Sunday Services 

• Worship Themes: We feature services dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ themes, history, and theology throughout the year 
• Inclusive Language:  We present our speakers with an inclusive language guide, and we honor everyone’s self-identified names and pronouns, including nametags preprinted with pronouns.

Religious Education & Learning

• We plan to host workshops, book discussions and film screenings focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ history, identity and intersectional justice.  This includes a continued commitment to offer the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum to our congregation and wider community.  We also have a library available with many Welcoming Congregation focused titles. (include link).

Community Outreach, Advocacy & Social Justice

• Local Advocacy: We partner with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and advocacy groups to support the work they do in the community, including championing civil rights, trans rights and healthcare access. 
• Public Witness:  Members of our congregation show up in the community for Pride parades and festivals, rallies and justice initiatives.

Get Involved with the Welcoming Team

Our Welcoming Congregation Team meets regularly to guide our educational efforts, plan inclusive programming and keep our commitments accountable and fresh.

Whether you are looking for a spiritual home where you can bring your whole self, or you want to help us build a more just and welcoming world, there is a place for you here. 

Team Lead:  Lisa Heil welcoming@inuuc.org

*Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual