Leadership Academy: Welcome Track

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to keep an eye out for the hanging metal signs emblazoned with the Episcopal Shield and the boldly declared words, “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You”. It delights me to find them, to wander down the block to find the church, and to discover – Is it stone or redwood? Does it have stained glass windows? Then, I look for the second sign, usually located near the front door. This sign usually includes the service times.

Both of these signs excite me because I know what the sign means to me. “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You” speaks to our church’s commitment to respect the dignity of every human being, to see each person as beloved, and to strive each day to walk more closely with Jesus . It reminds me that I can envelop myself in ancient liturgy, hear the scripture read and reflected upon, say the prayers with a community, and after the Eucharistic prayer, I can come to the table. For those seeking a deeper spiritual connection, a place of healing, or a supportive community, I know that the Episcopal Church offers a space for all to grow in faith.

And – I know that those words and ideals are aspirational. I know that no church is perfect. We are filled with human beings, and human beings are exceptionally fallible. I know that even though our hearts cry out that we welcome you, sometimes our words, actions, and buildings can limit the opportunity for people to find true belonging. 

And that is precisely what the Holy Spirit has been pestering me with this past year. What would it look like if we wrestled with the opportunity to not just welcome people but create true belonging? We could imagine a community where every person felt their gifts were needed. We can adapt our worship spaces and services to meet the needs of all of us. We can step away from certainty and then we can humbly try to live into the words on the sign. 

If you long for this too, I hope you will register for the Welcome track at Leadership Academy. A description of each of the exceptional workshops is below.

Register Today!

Accessibility in Action

Join the Accessibility Group from St. Dunstan’s as they share their journey toward creating an inclusive and welcoming campus. This session will explore their innovative efforts, including a creative video, assistance for people with hearing loss, ramps and wheelchair-accessible seating, large-print materials, gluten-free communion options, and a quiet room for sensory-sensitive individuals. Learn practical strategies and gain inspiration for making your church more accessible to all.

Rhythms of Grace – Worship that engages across the spectrum of neurodiversity

Join members from St. Brigid’s Oceanside and St. Peter’s Del Mar as they tell stories of their work embracing neurodiversity and promoting inclusion in their worship spaces. The conversation highlights the ongoing work – successes and challenges – that are part of their rhythm of life. Come and see if you find yourself in their story.

“The Episcopal Church Welcomes You”: Becoming the Church We Say We Are

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he exhorts believers to “welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (15:7).  As followers of Jesus, our call is to embody this welcome, particularly to those most vulnerable and on the margins of society. But, to extend Christ-like welcome – that is, welcome that leads to belonging, and welcome that celebrates one another in the fullness of our various identities – is challenging. Join Sarah Hankins from Uptown Community Services, Danielle Beabout from EDSD’s LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Taskforce, and Rachel Ambasing, EDSD’s Missioner for Community Vitality and Diversity, for an honest, reflective, and generative conversation about living into our aspiration of Christ-like welcome.