The Affirming program is both a process and recognition for ministries who strive to celebrate Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people publicly, intentionally, and explicitly. Any ministry of any kind can become Affirming! Within our Regional Council there are many such ministries- with lots of room for growth. On this page you’ll find a short list of resources and an Affirming-related newsfeed (keep scrolling down).

Knox United Church in Brandon, an Affirming ministry, marching in Brandon’s Pride parade.
In June 2019, Prairie to Pine Regional Council voted to begin the Affirming process. This reflects its past commitments, when the former Conference of Manitoba and NW Ontario and all of its presbyteries were Affirming. Guided by a task group, the Regional Council and its members discerned how our new structure might live into the spirit and practice of being Affirming. At the October 2020 annual meeting of the Regional Council, the membership voted unanimously in favour of accepting the Vision Statement and Action Plan, and of becoming an Affirming Regional Council. This was a moment of great joy for the Affirming committee! A public celebration on May 30 2021, Our Place in the Rainbow, marked the final step in the formal journey, and the journey of growing into being Affirming began.
Click here for the Vision Statement.
Click here for the Affirming Action Plan.
And scroll down for Affirming news.
The Equity and Diversity Committee will carry the continuing work forward and welcomes conversation with you. You can find their page and membership here.
Have a look for the many Affirming ministries in our Regional Council: on the AUSE site; and on the United Church of Canada ministry locator (check under MB and NW Ontario communities for both.) Many others who are not listed are currently in the Affirming process. And you are welcome to join our private Affirming Facebook group!
Resources and info:
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble
AUSE private Facebook group
Affirming PIE Day (14 March annually)
Resources and info: United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada: resources
Celebrating Gender Identity Toolkit
Resource: Moving Toward Full Inclusion-Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the United Church of Canada
Affirming news

Neechi Camp 2025 Seeks Campers and Donations
Neechi Camp will take place this year, August 17 to 21, 2025 in Ochekwi Sipi Cree Nation, also named Fisher River, MB. We will set up camp on the beautiful grassy area beside Fisher River United...

Zeebu 2025
Thanks to Selkirk United Church for hosting 20 young leaders for the Feb 14th Zeebu pre-event leader training plus an additional 20 grade 7 to 12 participants for the Zeebu retreat, Feb 15 to 17,...

Prairie to Pine signs on to federal letter on 2SLGBTQIA rights
Regional Council signs on to national letter to federal parties re 2SLGBTQIA human rights On the International Transgender Day of Visibility, over 200 trans, queer and allied organizations across...

Faith in action: 2025 federal election resources
As faith communities, and registered charities, we don’t promote or critique only one party. We address all of them, we focus on how their policies affect people and planet, and we expect...

September 20 transphobic marches and our responses
The “hands off our kids” transphobic and homophobic marches marches we dealt with last September are making a comeback Friday September 20, 2024. Their locations can be viewed here, and if anyone in...

Women and Gender Equity Manitoba (WAGE MB)
Women and Gender Equity Manitoba (WAGE MB) Engagement with the 2SLGBTQI+ Community If you identify as gender-diverse or sexuality-diverse, and might be willing to speak with WAGE MB about your...

UCC at Prairie to Pine Pride Festivals
Have you attended a Pride Festival on behalf of the UCC? Will you be? Send photos to CAbad@united-church.ca to have them added. Winnipeg Pride Parade - June 2, 2024

Pride month reminders: event, resources, and news
June is a busy month for Pride events of all kinds! Click here for our regional summary of community Pride events. Remember, June is also Indigenous History Month, so whenever you have the chance,...

2024 Pride Festivals in Prairie to Pine Regional Council
The Equity and Diversity has prepared this list and welcomes updates and more communities! Please send additional listings or corrections to prairietopine@united-church.caUnited Church people are...

Please Help Youth to attend National Rendezvous Retreat
Pictured Above are those from our region who travelled together to Rendezvous 2017 in Montreal. Rendezvous (the 2024 Audacious Hope iteration) is happening and we're inviting your financial support...
