The document invites congregations to become a "Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation" by publicly welcoming and affirming LGBT people. It describes a 3-phase process: 1) Prepare the congregation, 2) Have the vestry adopt a statement of inclusion, 3) Publish the statement and register as an affirming congregation. Congregations completing the process are added to a database and can work with IntegrityUSA on further inclusion.

1. An invitation to be become a…
Dear sisters & brothers:
Many unchurched lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] people in your community are spiritually searching.
They are looking for a faith community where they will be welcomed and affirmed as beloved children of God. You
can encourage them to visit and join your parish by becoming a Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation.
A Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation is a mission or parish of our denomination that publicly welcomes and
affirms LGBT people and that has completed the simple, three-phase process described on the next page. If your
parish qualifies, I invite you become a Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation by registering online at
http://bolec.integrityusa.org or by returning the bottom third of this letter in the reusable envelope in which it arrived.
Once your parish registers as a Believe Out Loud Congregation, you will be added to a national database of
welcoming and affirming faith communities.
Thanks for considering this step toward fuller inclusion and wider evangelism. Please contact me if you have any
questions.
Heaven's blessing,
John Clinton Bradley
Program Coordinator
johnclint@integrityusa.org
585-360-4512
Yes, we publicly
welcome and affirm
LGBT people and
want to register as a
Believe Out Loud
Episcopal
Congregation!

2. Phase 1: Ready?
 Does your congregation already have a history of publicly
welcoming and affirming lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender [LGBT] folk?
o If the answer is NO, we strongly recommend you
continue with Phase 1.
o If the answer is YES, decide whether your congregation
would benefit from continuing with Phase 1 or is ready to
move to Phase 2.
 Attend a Faith-Based Community Organizing workshop offered
by the Instutute of Welcoming Resources
http://www.welcomingresources.org/communityorg.htm].
 Download and use IWR's Building An Inclusive Church Toolkit
to evaluate, organize, educate, and prepare the congregation
[http://www.welcomingresources.org/welcomingtoolkit.pdf].
Phase 2: Set.
 Ask the vestry or annual meeting to adopt a public statement explicitly welcoming and affirming LGBT people.
[Example statements can be found on page 28 of the Building An Inclusive Church Toolkit.]
Phase 3: Go!
 Publish the statement.
 Register as a Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation.
 Work with IntegrityUSA to make your congregation even more welcoming and affirming.
 Consider becoming a corporate member—or Proud Parish Partner—of IntegrityUSA.
Congregation phone number:___________________________________________________________________________
Congregation email address: ___________________________________________________________________________
Congregation website URL: ____________________________________________________________________________
Please attach your public statement explicitly welcoming and affirming lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
On what date was the statement of welcome and affirmation adopted by the vestry or annual meeting? _________________
How has your congregation published its statement of welcome and affirmation [check all that apply]?
Newspaper Television Radio Email Web Other: _____________________________________________
Signature of senior clergy person: _______________________________________________________________________
Printed name and title of senior clergy person: _____________________________________________________________