In 2005, the Board of  Trustees of the Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist fellowship voted to implement The Welcoming Congregation Process developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association. A task force was created during that summer to be responsible for accomplishing this goal. Over a two year period, this task force produced programs with a GLBT focus, held workshops to further the congregation’s understanding of GLBT issues and encouraged the development of affirming attitudes.

At the end of the process and after much work, we applied for and received the Welcoming Congregation status granted by the Unitarian Universalist Association in March of 2007. The current welcoming congregation Team was reestablished in 2010 to further the Welcoming Congregation Team concepts both inside and outside the TPUUF community.