International Welcoming Church Sunday
International Welcoming Church Sunday, the last Sunday in January, happens this year on January 26.
This is a time when congregations in many different denominations together celebrate our commitment to diversity – and in particular to affirming God’s love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
How can you celebrate International Welcoming Church Sunday?
The options are diverse, of course!
Here are a couple of ideas.
- Read your Open & Affirming Statement aloud in worship.
- Announce the start of a Bible study or discussion group about welcome. See the Resources page for ideas. (You don’t have to be an O&A Congregation to do this.)
- Take up a collection to support GLAD, and hold a membership drive, encourage your congregation to become members of GLAD themselves. You and your church members can join GLAD at contribution.gladalliance.org.
- See our page Being an Open & Affirming Ministry for many more ideas!
Email Mark Johnston, Executive Director of GLAD’s Open & Affirming Ministry Program, for support in your celebration and to share how you’re celebrating welcome on International Welcoming Church Sunday.