Creating Access and Inclusion in Worship

COUNTDOWN TO INCLUSION AWARENESS DAY

Begin planning now for Inclusion Awareness Day! Use the checklist below to get started. Underlined items are linked to www.inclusioninworship.org.

• Mark your congregation's calendar for Inclusion Awareness Day, the last weekend in September, or choose an alternate date for your parish.


• Recruit an inclusion committee to raise awareness to the need for access and inclusion. Introduce committee members to the congregation on Inclusion Awareness Day. Use tips on starting an inclusion committee at www.inclusioninworship.org.


• Plan a series of bulletin articles and a special worship service for Inclusion Awareness Day. Use this workbook and workbooks on www.inclusioninworship.org for articles, prayers and homily hints.


• Download the song 'Open Doors' and the sheet music from www.inclusioninworship.org and ask your choir to learn the hymn for Inclusion Awareness Day. Provide copies of the assembly version for congregants.


• Survey your congregation on Inclusion Awareness Day to find out the needs of your members. Use our access survey or facilities survey available at www.inclusioninworship.org.


• Invite members of your congregation who happen to have disabilities to begin a ministry on Inclusion Awareness Day. Provide accommodations and continue their participation throughout the year.


• Invite members of your congregation who happen to have disabilities to speak at a worship service about what inclusion means to them.