We are a Welcoming Congregation, recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association. This means we affirm and include people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer at every level of congregational life—in worship, in program, and in social occasions—welcoming them as whole people.

WELCOMING CONGREGATION POLICY STATEMENT (As updated August of 2016)

•  The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse (First UU) shall henceforth be known as a Welcoming Congregation, as defined by the Unitarian Universalist Association.
• We welcome, celebrate and support the lives of all people and all structures of families that come to us, in recognition of our celebration of the wide variety and diversity of humanity. We welcome all gender identities, sexual orientations and all family configurations.
• First UU pledges our commitment to do its part to heal centuries of religious and societal based oppression and prejudice, making our Society a sanctuary of spiritual growth and welcome for all.

Below is a bit of the history of how we became a Welcoming Congregation

Welcoming Congregation Resolution

After a two-year process of study and reflection on the role of religious doctrine and religious institutions in perpetuating prejudice and misunderstanding toward gay,lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people, the members of this congregation adopted the following resolution at a Congregational Meeting on March 8, 1998.

“Be it resolved the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse shall henceforth be known as a Welcoming Congregation. We celebrate and support the lives, relationships, religious quests, and contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people, and their families and friends. We affirm and promote the full participation of all people at every level of our congregation and community. We pledge our society’s commitment to do its part to heal centuries of religious and societal based oppression and prejudice, making our church a sanctuary of spiritual growth and welcome for all.”

Welcoming Congregation Charter

The Welcoming Congregation Committee celebrates and supports the lives, relationships, religious quests, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and their families and friends. We are committed to conducting outreach efforts in the LGBT community by publicizing the congregation’s welcoming presence in the larger Syracuse community, through leading the congregation’s involvement in the annual CNY Pride parade and festival, and through working with the Worship Services Committee to conduct the annual Pride service in June.