Creating Access and Inclusion in Worship

Press Release

Use this sample press release to publicize your congregation?s Inclusion Awareness Sunday celebration. Fill in your congregation?s information and send the press release to the religion editor of your neighborhood newspaper several days before your event. Follow up with a call to see if the paper will cover Inclusion Awareness Day at your parish.

For Immediate Release Contact:
(Date) (Your name)
(Your phone and email)

Chicago Area Parishes Celebrate Inclusion Awareness Sunday

(Your town), Illinois ? On ___ (insert date and parish) ___will join other faith traditions in Chicago in observing Inclusion Awareness Sunday. Inclusion Awareness Sunday is an integral part of the Pathways Awareness Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors movement which raises awareness to the need for accommodations so that people of all abilities can participate in worship and ministries at their house of faith.

____ (Insert name of parish) ____ welcomes those with disabilities every Sunday and seeks to enable their full participation in the life of the church. By observing Inclusion Awareness Sunday we hope to further educate parishioners about the needs of people with disabilities in our midst, as well as to recognize the tremendous value that they add to our community.

(Name and address of your parish) will (list your events, e.g.: have a special liturgy, bless new accessible features, etc.) to showcase how people with disabilities are welcomed every day of the year. (Insert the name and title of your religious leader and a quote, e.g. ?In the past year our parish has made a conscious effort to make our facilities accessible. We are delighted that we can open our doors to all.?).

For more information about Inclusion Awareness Sunday visit www.inclusioninworship.org or contact Pathways Awareness at 1-800-955-445 or friends@pathwaysawareness.org.