The worship space in a church is called a sanctuary...place of refuge, of hope, of safety. This is a place that for hundreds of years was sacred and was a place of protection from earthy forces and anyone who entered was safe in God’s hands.
Saint Benedict wrote: “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for He is going to say, ‘I came as a guest, and you received Me.’ (Matt. 25:35).”
We in St. Thomas of Dover Mission welcome all regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin religion, creed, age, disability, mental and physical sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, marital status, military and veteran status, political affiliation or party membership.
It is our responsibility as followers of Christ to keep the door open and to provide a place at the table. It is the responsibility of those who accept that invitation to come “dressed for the King’s banquet.” (Matthew 22:1-14) And to be ready to “Choose to serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
Jesus tells us that he is “the good shepherd (John 10:11) and he also told us that we are to do for others as he has done for us, (John 13:15). We therefore must be shepherds for each other and for our church.
We know that some who come to us are dressed as sheep, but are in reality wolves. There will be those make unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
And those who make remarks that are not of a sexual nature, but include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. For example, to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general.
Both victim and the harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and harasser can be the same sex.
And we are all on duty to protect the flock, Bishop, priest, deacon and layperson. It is up to all of us to say vigilant and speak up, to report what we see and hear. We will report it to the church trustees, who report it to the proper authorities, the police, Protective services, or other applicable agency. The clerical trustees will confront the individual and they will be removed from the community. Violent language or threats will not be tolerated nor will harassment that is based on Race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, mental and physical sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, marital status, military and veteran status, political affiliation or party membership.
This behavior will also mean removal from the community.
We know that not all who are invited will come, we know that some will come with intentions other than to be part of the Kingdom of God, but rather for selfish desires. We will be open, welcoming and affirming. We will also be vigilant, as the shepherd has “no body now but ours.” (St. Teresa of Avila). We will welcome the lost home, and keep Christ’s flock from harm.

Reference: Fair Employment and Housing Act, State of California and U.S. Department of Labor, EEOC