Inclusivity & Belonging

Everyone Is Welcome.

At St. Paul’s, we believe that none of God’s children should be marginalized for any reason. Regardless of their race, gender, political affiliation, educational background, socio-economic status, age, sexual orientation, different abilities, or any other trait, everyone is welcome and deserving of God’s love.
We at St. Paul’s embrace every person with warmth and loving kindness and believe that diversity is a beautiful reflection of God’s abundant love and grace. We are committed to becoming a church that is actively engaged in building a more just and peaceful world as well as a church that is praying for it. As part of the Episcopal Church, we are guided by the vision of Becoming Beloved Community, our church’s long-term commitment to racial justice, healing, and reconciliation. We are all on a lifelong journey toward God’s dream, taking intentional and faithful steps, striving to heal and transform injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, institutions, and society.

Helpful Links

Repairing the Breach

A resource from our Diocese for explaining our history with racism in Southern Virginia View the resources here.

The Episcopal Church and Racial Reconciliation

Reconciliation is the spiritual practice of seeking loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God and one another, and striving to heal and transform injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, institutions and society. View the Episcopal Church’s racial reconciliation info here.

In 1976, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church made a significant declaration affirming the inherent worth and dignity of homosexual persons as children of God, granting them a full and equal claim upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral care of the Church (1976-A069). This momentous decision marked a pivotal turning point, propelling Episcopalians on a collective journey toward greater understanding, compassion, and inclusivity for all individuals who form part of God’s diverse creation. Since then, the Episcopal Church has been steadfastly committed to fostering an environment where every person is embraced, respected, and supported, recognizing that diversity is a beautiful reflection of God’s abundant love and grace. Through ongoing dialogue, education, advocacy, and pastoral care, both The Diocese of Southern Virginia and we here at St. Paul’s strive to create a Church that is welcoming, affirming, and responsive to the needs and experiences of all of God’s children, ensuring that no one is excluded or marginalized based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

LGBTQ Resources from the Diocese of Southern Virginia

Our diocese has a collection of some wonderful resources and organizations dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion. View the resources here.

The Episcopal Church and Inclusivity

We are proud to be part of an organization like the Episcopal Church that is dedicated to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial, and redemptive love. View the Episcopal Church’s LGBTQ+ info here.