St. George’s has always sought to be a welcoming and inclusive parish, but has recently stepped up efforts to be more intentional about being inclusive on many fronts. 

The well-attended summer adult forum series on racial reconciliation was one example of that.  In the 1980’s St. George’s hosted an assistance project for un-documented residents pursuing amnesty.  Today planning is underway for an adult forum series focused on the current worldwide refugee crisis.   Our members and participants in Sunday worship increasingly reflect some of the diversity of our community.

 The renovation to the nave focuses on accessibility, to ensure seamless participation in worship by individuals with physical disabilities. For a long time, we have had lay-readers who read from Braille scriptures or who speak with difficulty,  and we provide assistive listening devices and have in the past offered ASL interpreters, but fixed pews and high steps to the altar have limited mobility of individuals who use wheelchairs.  The renovated nave will allow everyone to take communion together around the altar. 

 St. George’s has a long history of participation by gay and lesbian members in leadership positions, from Altar Guild chair to Senior Warden, and members of the Vestry.  When the Episcopal Church authorized blessing of same sex unions, the congregation engaged in a series of listening sessions and discernment before the Rector sought and won the Bishop’s approval to perform such blessings at Saint George’s, and when same sex civil marriage became legal in Virginia, Saint George’s quickly became the site of same-sex weddings.  In 2015 one of the first acts of the newly established Vestry liaison for Accessibility and Inclusion was to organize participation in the metro area Gay Pride celebration that year. 

Individuals with various learning abilities and emotional or mental aptitudes have been present in St. George’s programs and activities over the years, but have not always been invited into fuller participation through adaptation or modification of those activities to accommodate their needs.  It was especially exciting, therefore, recently to see the smile of accomplishment on the face of an autistic teenager after the adult acolyte at the 8 AM worship service invited the youth to serve with him, fitted him with vestments, and coached him through a new and responsible role in the service.  Recently one of our clients at HOST and food pantry began attending the Saturday morning Men’s Group and participating in their discussions. 

Inclusion is about bridging the gaps between ourselves and people who may not look, or think, or love, or move the same way we do.  How can you bring a smile to someone’s face by taking the extra step to mentor, or welcome, or accommodate someone who might not otherwise feel included?   Inclusion is about acknowledging our own vulnerabilities and lovingly meeting others where they are.  What better place to practice that than in church?  What better example than Jesus?