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Chair: Laura Monteodorisio
Updated October 24, 2009
As of July, 2007, First Parish Chelmsford became officially recognized by the UUA as a Welcoming Congregation.
After 20 months of education, reflection, and open discussions, the final act taken at First Parish Chelmsford was a unanimous vote to declare our intent to be a UUA Welcoming Congregation at our annual meeting in June, 2007. Click here to read the article that was approved. After the UUA received our paperwork, we received notification in July that we have been designated a Welcoming Congregation.
We are grateful for the support and advice of our minister, Rev. Ellen Spero, our mentors at First Parish Groton, Betty Keddy and Karen Johnson, guest speakers Lindsey Straus, J.D. and Carolyn Hotchkiss, J.D., and the members and friends of First Parish Chelmsford who were trusting enough to step forward and share their personal journeys.
It is time to form an ongoing Welcoming Congregation Ministry to offer programs, alert the congregation to legislative initiatives that provide the opportunity to express our support of GBLT persons to legislators, and communicate with the appropriate church committees. If you are interested in joining this ministry please contact one of our co-chairs.
In Fellowship,
The Welcoming Congregation Committee
Lunch and Conversation with Senator Fargo - More than 40 congregants attended our Lunch and Conversation with Senator Fargo. Senator Fargo was very impressed with the turnout. She gave us information about H1722, "An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes". We learned from Senator Fargo that currently, gender identity and expression are not covered in the state's hate crime or non-discrimination laws. Though there are 17 states that do cover gender identity and gender expression in either their hate crimes or non-discrimination laws, Massachusetts, which usually leads the country on issues of fairness and equality, is not one of them. Senator Fargo is one of 23 sponsors of this bill. She explained that the bill is now sitting in the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. For this bill to go forward, this Committee must "report out favorably" on H1722. Senator Fargo urged those attending to take a moment to call or e-mail the Representative Chair of the Committee, Eugene O’Flaherty (Rep.GeneOFlaherty@hou.state.ma.us), the Senate Chair of the Committee, Robert Creedon, Jr. (Robert.Creedon@state.ma.us), as well as our individual State Representative and Senator to voice your support of this bill and, in the case of the chairmen of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, to request that they "report out favorably" on H1722. Several of those who attended have made calls and e-mails. We invite those of you who are so inclined to do so as well. But quickly!
Several members of the Welcoming Congregation group attended the Greater Lowell Equity Alliance meeting at Rosie’s Diner in No. Chelmsford. At this meeting, MassEquality presented their priority agenda for 2008. The issues they will be focusing on are: Marriage Equality, Transgender Equality, Equality for LGBT Youth, Seniors, and victims of Domestic Violence, and Equality in HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention. The group attending the meeting cheered when we told them about Senator Fargo’s visit to First Parish and that several of us had made calls and sent e-mails in support of H1722. They asked us to bring their legislative postcards to First Parish to have those who support their 2008 priorities sign so they can send them to their legislators. We will have the postcards available over the next few Sundays at Social Hour.
Several members of the Welcoming Congregation group also attended the Greater Lowell Equity Alliance meeting at Rosie’s Diner in No. Chelmsford. At this meeting, MassEquality presented their priority agenda for 2008. The issues they will be focusing on are: Marriage Equality, Transgender Equality, Equality for LGBT Youth, Seniors, and victims of Domestic Violence, and Equality in HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention. The group attending the meeting cheered when we told them about Senator Fargo’s visit to First Parish and that several of us had made calls and sent e-mails in support of H1722. They asked us to bring their legislative postcards to First Parish to have those who support their 2008 priorities sign so they can send them to their legislators. We will have the postcards available over the next few Sundays at Social Hour.