The Welcome Circle is faith community founded in Charlottesville, Virginia, minutes from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

 

Our founding principle: We hold this truth to be self-evident, that ALL PEOPLE are created equal.

 

In essence, we come together because of the sacredness of welcome itself...the welcome of ALL PEOPLE.

 

Our welcome is motivated both by our common humanity and by of the rich mosaic of our differences.

 

But these words matter little if beneath them lies a lack of interest or will to know our own unconscious power when we are in a dominant group: white people, straight people, Christians, able-bodied, wealthy...in our gatherings we do two things.

 

We explore, question, and hold one another accountable around these issues within us, between us, and in our community through dialogue, reflection, presentation, and activities.

 

We share what is sacred to us and what makes a circle welcoming for us.

 

In this high feedback environment, we learn and practice using three solidarity protocols when we feel called...refusing silence or violence...to stand in solidarity across differences of power and race, culture, class, gender sexual orientation, ability, and religion.