Author: AffirmAdmin

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Adding Sparkle to Your Rainbow | Zoom Webinar Thursday February 25, 2021 | 7-8:30pm

As part of our Public, Intentional and Explicit commitment, Affirm United / S’affirmer Ensemble along with Affirming Connections are pleased to announce this special P.I.E. gathering … an Affirming Refresher presented by Affirming Coordinator Linda Hutchinson!

We’ll talk about these areas to add sparkle:

  • Your Vision Statement
  • Your Marriage Policy
  • Your Action Plan . . . Do you have one?  Does it need updating?  Are you engaging with the wider community?
  • Your relationship with building users, renters
  • Your language – Pronouns, Microaggressions
  • Broadening your scope . . . the call of all people who are marginalized

Bring your stories and your questions!

Linda Hutchinson, Affirming Ministry Coordinator to Affirm United / S’affirmer Ensemble

Presenter Bio – Linda Hutchinson

Linda, a United Church member by birth and by choice, has worked/volunteered at all levels of The United Church of Canada with children, youth and adults, mainly in the areas of Resource Ministry and Affirm United’s Affirming Ministries Program.  She is a member of Sydenham Street United Church in downtown Kingston, ON, an Affirming Ministry since 1999, was a member of the Bay of Quinte Conference Affirming Ministries Action Group from its formation in 2007 to 2018 when UCC restructured, and has been a Coordinator of Affirm United’s Affirming Ministry Program since 2012.  Linda and her spouse, Bruce, have two adult children and four grandchildren.

Register today …

Click here to Register

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpdOCtrzIuE9d-rFll1amk2LAtHRX_wWnX

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In-Person Affirm United Summer Conference 2020 cancelled | Stay tuned for alternate plans.

Dear friends of Affirm United/s’affirmer Ensemble,

The council of Affirm United in agreement with First St. Andrews United, London Ontario, have decided to cancel this year’s summer conference scheduled for July 23rd to July 26 because of the uncertainty being experienced with Covid 19 Virus. We will keep you updated about the work of Affirm United, and what decision will be made in regards to our annual AGM that normally takes place at our Summer Conference.
We pray for you and all your loved ones and hope you are keeping healthy and safe during this time of disruption. Please follow the guidelines that our health experts recommend so we can meet again and share our gift of God’s love.

Blessings to all,
AU/SE council

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Annual Conference and AGM 2018 Online Registration Form

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

We have closed registration for Affirm United / S’affirmer Ensemble’s 2018 AGM and conference, Many Voices- One Song. Thank you to our 80 plus registrants.

We emphasize that all people of all identities are welcome at this gathering; we ask that you bring a respectful spirit and open mind, and that all participants come with the belief that sexual and gender diversity is part of God’s beloved creation. Our movement believes that being gender and/ or sexually diverse is a gift, not a sin. We look forward to seeing you July 13-15 at Royal York Road United in Toronto!

All of the information you include in this form will be treated as confidential, and shared only as needed with the planning committee and AUSE’s communications coordinator.

Please click here for full workshop information, as you are invited to give your workshop preferences in this registration form. Click here for a draft conference agenda.  Continue reading “Annual Conference and AGM 2018 Online Registration Form”

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No room for hate: statement on the terrorist attack in Sainte-Foy, QC

On behalf of our membership and the Canada-wide network of Affirming ministries, the Council of Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble expresses its deep sorrow regarding the events of this weekend that have targeted our Muslim siblings. We stand in solidarity with our queer and trans Muslim siblings and all Muslim communities. We mourn the dead, pray for their families and the injured, and commit to speaking and acting against Islamophobia and other forms of racist scapegoating and stereotyping.

As LGBTTQQIA+ and Two Spirit communities, we have experienced too often the kind of divisive, violent hate exemplified by the terrorist attack in Ste-Foy. We know far too much about hate. Ee believe that we all share in the responsibility to act against hate of any kind.

We are thankful for the many faith communities and community groups who have already organized both vigils and demonstrations, and encourage all Affirming ministries to open their hearts and doors to all who want an end to Islamophobia.

We join with those who have written to the federal government to ask for immediate, meaningful Canadian support for refugees and migrants. We join them in calling for an increase in the number of refugees permitted entry to Canada. We call for an end to the Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States, echoing the original call made by churches and advocates in 2004. A United Church action is available here.