Mainline and progressive welcoming and inclusive congregations have made great strides with communities that have been historically excluded based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexuality. These churches have done this out of a sense of justice and as a gospel imperative; yet, often by keeping groups separate. They not always achieved their goals because they did not do the hard work required to eradicate racism, sexism, and homophobia. The "separate groups" reflect a deep sense of who is doing the welcoming and including, and who is welcomed and included. Hence, the object groups remain as guests and must behave as such. To overcome this paradigm welcoming and inclusive congregations must move toward creating opportunities that promote a sense of belonging for all in the congregation. The challenge lies in the fact that homogeneity is easier to maintain than having to continually work at developing a sense of community in more diverse congregations. Ironically, this requires valuing discomfort over comfort. In conversations with many Latinx and Latinx LGBTQ persons I have come to realize that although many feel welcomed and included in congregations, there still is limited space afforded to them to develop a sense of belonging. A sense which begins when people can bring their full selves to their communities of faith. And then take their full selves into the world as builders and reconcilers. Often, practically, this begins with opportunities to share their stories. Starting with a specific community- LGBTQ+ and Latinx in the Episcopal Church -- in this project I develop an approach/rationale for going beyond welcome and inclusion to creating communities where all feel they belong, especially Latinx LGBTQ+ persons. This approach will offer both theory and applications, and should also broadly apply to other contexts and communities.

Jesus taught that building the reign of God is an ongoing project and vision that will ultimately include and belong to all.