Fall Worship Series

Join us for a time of prayer, worship, and hope! Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble invites you to a time of affirming worship. All are welcome, but for safety, registration is required. 

Register for the October service here.

Register for the November service here.

Register for the December service here.

Affirming Coffee Hour !

Are you an Affirming Ministry with questions? Or ideas to share? Or maybe just looking for some community to connect with on all things Affirming? Or perhaps your community of faith isn’t yet Affirming, and you’d like to learn more about the process, and what others are doing? Then join us for coffee! AU/SE is inviting you to join us for monthly coffee hours to learn and connect. All are welcome, but registration is required. 

Register for the October coffee hour here.

Register for the November coffee hour here

AGM Hosting Info Session!

A few months ago we put out a call for AGM 2024 hosts, and many of you responded!  We are now inviting any interested communities of faith to join us for a virtual info session to learn more about what hosting entails. If your Affirming Ministry is interested, whether you’ve expressed interest before or not, please join us for this session. Register here

Welly Hanenberg is this year’s Youth Advocate!

Welly has been an outstanding advocate for the 2SLGBTQ+ community at Redeemer University which has not been easy, at a school who is not Affirming. Last year, Welly and the Redeemer LGBTQ community experienced the death by suicide of a beloved member of the community. Welly rallied around students and did not give up the fight to have Beckett’s experience heard. The advocacy and voice Welly has maintained as a student at Redeemer University has changed lives. She has instilled confidence in personhood, has affirmed the inclusive Love of God and has been a voice for those feeling alone in their journey in figuring out who they are.

Congratulations Welly!

Sharon Valmont is this year’s Volunteer of the Year!

Sharon is the Chair of Golden Ears United Church’s affirming team, encouraging, and inviting new people to the committee. They’ve held three major affirming events in the past six months, including a PIE Day screening, and a Drag Brunch. Sharon is an out and proud Trans woman who lives with some disabilities. She has generously shared her journey and testimony with her congregation in worship, being willing to be authentic and vulnerable. She shared her journey to sobriety and has helped our congregation be more understanding and welcoming.  She also is a weekly volunteer at their Thrift, and volunteers to run their livestream on Sundays.

From Sharon: “Volunteering has always held a special place in my heart. There’s something inexplicably rewarding about dedicating your time and energy to help those in need. The smiles on people’s faces, the gratitude in their eyes, and the knowledge that I have played a part in brightening someone’s day are priceless rewards.

Receiving the Volunteer of the Year award is a testament to the collective efforts of all those who contributed to my journey. It is an acknowledgment of the countless hours, determination, and love poured into the work I do. This recognition fills me with tremendous pride while also inspiring me to continue making a difference in the lives of others.”

Congratulations Sharon!

Urgent: Notice Of Nationwide Anti-2SLGBTQ+ Rallies Sept 20

URGENT NOTICE

On Wednesday, September 20th, anti-2SLGBTQIA+ activists plan to rally at legislatures, city halls, and school board offices across the country under the “1 Million March 4 Children” banner. While they claim to be in support of “parental rights,” this is explicitly an anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rally. They’re supported by a big tent of far-right and conspiratorial groups, including Christian Nationalists, white supremacists, and anti-public education activists.

(Click here to learn more: *content warning of extreme anti-2SLGBTQ+ language)

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO

1) Presence

  • Counter-Demonstrate, using the advice found in the Pride Defense Guide, Safety Plan, and Faith Community Guide. Find out what is happening in your city and make plans with community partners.
  • Plan an alternate event at the same time on the 20th. This could be anything from a coffee hour to a vigil, simply – a place to connect and find solace.

2) Communications

  • Use all of your available communication channels to show your support: church signage and property, e-newsletters, websites, social media, and connections with local media. We have created some images that you can use in your messaging, that you can see below, and download here

3) Advocacy 

  • Connect with your faith community and work together to find out what your ministry can do to respond faithfully to these issues.
  • Contact politicians, in particular school trustees/MP’s, to express your support for gender-affirming policies and inclusive education, and your opposition to policies that would forcibly out trans youth (sample letter).

4) Community Relationships

  • Reach out to local 2SLGBTQIA-led and solidarity groups and ask how you can be of service and what kind of allyship would be most helpful to them. 

5) Pastoral Care 

  • If you feel equipped to offer support to those who are being targeted by these hate groups, be sure those around you know you’re available. 
  • Ask for support! This is an extremely worrying and intense time for queer folks.

Find contact info for Affirming Ministries through Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble here, and resources from Affirming Connections here.

We encourage everyone to share positive messages of Public, Intentional, and Explicit affirmation to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, particularly from a faith perspective.

Since religion is being weaponized by many of these extremist organizers, it’s imperative to share a different narrative about faith, and to categorically denounce hate and bigotry. 

Messaging and images created in partnership with Affirming Connections, and the Regional Minister: Justice and Communication for Living Skies, Prairie to Pine, and Northern Spirit Regional Councils of the United Church of Canada.