Why I’m an Affirm United member-Emma Pipes

Rev. Emma  Pipes is one of AUSE’s awesome Council members. She serves Knox pastoral charge in Caledon, ON. She’s kicking off our series of stories on why people choose to become members of Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble. Are you a member who’s happy to tell our wider family why you made that decision? Write to our communications coordinator and we’ll post your story! Wonder why becoming a member makes a difference? Read more here

Why am I a member of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble?

I often find myself moving between places and people.

Sometimes people ask me to get on board with what is going on already and often I can do that.  However, there is something special about people who are working together to figure everything out as it happens around them. Sometimes this can be challenging, but I really like being in the midst of conversation about the world and its realities.  I especially find meaning in working together to reduce oppression and hatred the world through a variety of ways especially for LGBTQ2+ people.

Being part of Affirm United gives me a forum to continue asking questions, learning and engaging with real people and their stories on a very real level as well as being a part of decisions that would affect change in the world. I care that the voice of those who would identify as part of the LGBTQ2+ community would be heard and valued in the church and wider world as years go on.