Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Program

Inclusion in Worship

Inclusion Awareness Day Workbook 2004

Creating Congregations Where People of All Abilities Participate

Ten Easy Ways to Communicate Welcome

1.    State the desire to be intentionally inclusion in the faith community's mission statement. 

2.    Use “people first” language in homilies, sermons, and bulletin articles.

3.    Use access symbols in newspaper advertisements, event announcements and signage to publicize accessible features already in place. 

4.    Include the words “All are welcome.  Please call (insert phone number) so that we can provide accommodations for your participation” in all event announcements. 

5.    Personally invite congregants with disabilities to participate in ministries, clubs, religious education programs, and events and arrange any accommodations to make participation possible.

6.    Make large print prayer books, missals, Bibles, bulletins and hymnals (such as this 14 point bold type) available.

7.    Provide homilies on audiotape or in large-print and promote their availability in the bulletin.

8.    Keep individuals with visual impairments informed by announcing information from the bulletin at the end of the worship service.

9.    When new members join your congregation ask, in a sensitive and dignified way, if any accommodations would enhance their participation in the faith community.

10.  Invite congregants who cannot regularly attend services or events to contribute to the faith community through a “ministry of praise”.   Contact them on a regular basis and ask them to pray for a particular intention of the faith community.