The First Parish in Bedford Unitarian Universalist
75 The Great Road, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 On the Common
781-275-7994
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The First Parish in Bedford Unitarian Universalist 75 The Great Road, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 On the Common 781-275-7994 |
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After the inspiring work of
many parishioners for more than a decade, it’s official!
First Parish in Bedford has voted in favor of being designated a UUA
Welcoming Congregation. What does this mean for us?
The Reverend James Covington reminds us that:
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v It means we include and address the needs of gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender persons at every level of congregational life-in worship, in programs, in social occasions, and in rites of passage-welcoming not only their presence, but the gifts and particularities of their lives as well. |
| It means we attend to legislative developments and work to promote justice, freedom, and equality in the larger society. |
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v And finally, it means we celebrate the lives of all people and their ways of expressing their love for each other. |
But I want to remind you that this is meaningful not only as a statement of things we do but also as a statement of who we are -- an open and affirming and safe congregation for the GLBT communities and for all communities: We are an intentional celebration of diversity. And here's the whole wonderful secret about diversity: it is the vehicle by which transformation occurs; when we engage it fully and openly and past superficial difference it transforms "otherness" into "communion." That is the work I am called to do -- that is the work we are called to do. I am very proud of us!
-Roger
Peltier
