The Affirming Ministries Program is a network of primarily United Church ministries that strive to be fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. You don’t have to be United Church to take part, though!
Before becoming formally Affirming, local churches, colleges, church courts, assisted living homes, outdoor ministries, and other ministries study and reflect on gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations; make a statement of welcome; make changes to key policies and their building as necessary; and commit themselves to work for justice and inclusion within their community of faith, the wider church, and their community. The program was launched in 1992. The United Church officially endorsed the program in 2000 and encouraged its ministries to participate. Right now there are over 100 ministries in the Affirming process and over 200 Affirming ministries in communities of all kinds in every part of Canada!
To open our updated 95 page resource Open Hearts: Resources for Affirming Ministries in The United Church of Canada click here. (PDF format, which helps you navigate through the table of contents and preset bookmarks.) And have a look at our 2017 two page graphic summary of the Affirming process as a poster, bulletin insert. Feel free to right click and download the two JPG photos on this page and use in social media and PowerPoints. Finally, download our free PDF bulletin insert/ flyer, Why Become Affirming? and help get the conversation started.
If you are on a mobile device and want to see some content online, click on the following links to see two excerpts from our Affirming Ministries Kit: Open Hearts:
- The Table of Contents (to see the many pieces within our resource)
- The requirements to declare your ministry an Affirming Ministry
Please keep exploring this site and its many resources! You’ll find stories from Affirming ministries, worship resources, videos, handouts, and more. If you’d like to be part of ongoing conversations, join our closed Facebook group, follow our Facebook page, and find us on Twitter @AffirmUnited. Questions? Ask our amazing volunteer Affirming ministry coordinators or our part time communications staff person.