Spruce Grove Gay Straight Alliance on the difference a church made

Affirming Connections in Calgary writes, “We want to cheer on that St. Andrew’s United Spruce Grove celebrated becoming an Affirming Ministry on Sunday, April 28!

We received a letter from Spruce Grove GSA Society about their affirming experience with St. Andrews, and it’s amazing – we wanted to share it with you.”

Additional context: St Andrew’s Affirming celebration took place days after Alberta decided on a new provincial government. Alberta’s United Conservative Party won the election, and it had campaigned in part on removing privacy protections that allowed schools to not inform parents when a student joined a GSA.

From Spruce Grove GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) Society:
“In January 2018 the Spruce Grove GSA had its very first meeting. Unfortunately for our next meeting, in February, we suddenly found ourselves homeless. I had approximately three weeks to find somewhere to host our youth! I was heartbroken, devastated and crushed. What would I tell our kids, the parents, what would I tell Spruce Grove… our community GSA has suddenly come to a crushing halt.

A friend referred me to Connie Archer from St. Andrew’s United Church. I called her up and she agreed to meet with me at the church the next day.

Continue reading “Spruce Grove Gay Straight Alliance on the difference a church made”

National ecumenical consultation of affirming ministries, April 2019

Jordan Sullivan, is the Ministry Partnership Animator for the United Church of Canada, and a bridge builder between Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble and the wider United Church. He and AUSE co-chair Michiko Bown-Kai were involved with a recent ecumenical national consultation of Christian denominations about their work towards being truly LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit-welcoming.

He writes, “I am so very grateful for the courageous, faithful, and committed people involved in LGBTQIA2S+ Justice work among their respective faith communities across Canada.

Continue reading “National ecumenical consultation of affirming ministries, April 2019”

Affirming celebration for Sylvan United Church, Mill Bay BC, 26 May 2019

A celebration to be declared an Affirming Ministry will be held for Sylvan United Church, Mill Bay BC, on Sunday May 26 at 10:00 AM at:
Sylvan United Church
985 Shawnigan Mill Bay Road
Mill Bay, BC, V0R 2P2
www.sylvanunited.ca
Phone: 205 743-4659

All welcome!
Please send a note of congratulations to Sylvan United Church through this form:

Affirming celebration for Emmanuel United, Sault Ste Marie, 26 May 2019

A celebration to be declared an Affirming Ministry will be held for Emmanuel United Church, Sault Ste Marie ON, on Sunday May 26 at 10:30AM at:

 

Emmanuel United Church
224 Bennett Blvd
Sault Ste. Marie ON  K9V 5Z6
http://emmanuelunitedssm.ca/
Phone:  705-946-4949

All welcome!
Please send a note of congratulations to Emmanuel United Church through this form:

New details: 2019 annual conference at Hillhurst United Church, Calgary

Our 2019 annual conference will be hosted by Hillhurst United Church in Calgary, July 26-28. AUSE Council expresses gratitude and excitement at this chance to work alongside Hillhurst and other Affirming ministries in the Calgary area, who work together through Affirming Connections. We look forward to a rich time of learning, visioning, and being together.

The conference will likely begin with registration late Friday afternoon, a BBQ dinner on Friday July 26, followed by evening programming; we’ll continue all day Saturday and through the evening, with conversation, workshops, and exciting theme speakers and exploration. The theme will likely focus on bringing together trans and queer justice with commitments to decolonization. Sunday we’ll join the congregation of Hillhurst United for worship and lunch, and then wrap up with a brief annual general meeting. There may be after-conference opportunities to explore Calgary and area- stay tuned!

We’re very grateful to the Hillhurst for its commitment to making this time fully inclusive of youth and children; programming will be offered for a range of ages.

Accommodation will include hotel and university residence options that will be listed on the website, as well as billeting with Calgary-area Affirming supporters. We thank all hosts in advance for helping to make this conference more accessible for everyone!

The registration fee will be kept as reasonable as possible. AUSE welcomes designated tax-receiptable donations that will support those for who the registration is a barrier. Donations can be offered here: http://affirmunited.ause.ca/donate/ We are a member-funded movement and are grateful for all the work that your donations of time, money, and talent make possible.

Please watch our annual conference page for further details and registration, and start planning your visit!

 

Affirming celebration for Eglinton St George’s United Church, Toronto, 5 May 2019

A celebration to be declared an Affirming Ministry will be held for Eglinton- St George’s United Church on Sunday May 5, 2019 at 10:30 AM at:

Eglinton St. George’s United Church
35 Lytton Blvd
Toronto ON, M4R 1L2
www.esgunited.org   

All welcome!

Please send a note of congratulations to Eglinton St George’s United Church through this form:

form:

 

Affirming celebration for Silverton United Church MB, 28 April 2019

A celebration to be declared an Affirming Ministry will be held for Silverton United Church (Russell-Silverton Pastoral Charge) on Sunday April 28, 2019 at 3:30 pm at:

Silverton United Church (Russell-Silverton Pastoral Charge),
20 MB-478, Silverton MB
www.russellsilvertonunited.ca
Phone 204-821-5442

(Silverton is located off highway 45, 8.5 Km east of Russell or 11Km west of Angusville. When you turn north off highway 45 onto MB-478, the United Church is on your left and the Community Hall is on your right.)

All welcome! And, all are also invited to a celebratory Turkey Supper at Silverton Hall Sunday April 28, 2019 at 5:00 pm.  Adults $20; Youth 6-12 yrs $12; Children – free.  Reserve tickets by calling office at 204-773-2071 or email Kim at  knoxmb@mymts.net before April 21.

Please send a note of congratulations to Silverton United Church through this form:
form:

 

Affirming celebration for Knox United Church MB, 28 April 2019

A celebration to be declared an Affirming Ministry will be held for Knox United Church (Russell-Silverton Pastoral Charge) on Sunday April 28, 2019 at 7:00 pm at:

Knox United Church,
200 Memorial Avenue North
Russell  MB
www.russellsilvertonunited.ca
Phone 204-773-2071

All welcome! And, all are also invited to a celebratory Turkey Supper at Silverton Hall Sunday April 28, 2019 at 5:00 pm.  Adults $20; Youth 6-12 yrs $12; Children – free.  Reserve tickets by calling office at 204-773-2071 or email Kim at  knoxmb@mymts.net before April 21.

Please send a note of congratulations to Knox United Church through this form:

 

Affirming celebration for St Andrew’s United Church Spruce Grove AB, 28 April 2019

A celebration to be declared an Affirming Ministry will be held for St Andrew’s United Church on Sunday April 28, 2019 at 10:00AM at:

St. Andrew’s United Church,
1A Fieldstone Drive,
Spruce Grove  AB  T7X 2Z3
www.sprucegroveunited.com/
Phone: 780-962-0488

All welcome!
Please send a note of congratulations to St Andrew’s United Church through this form: