The Affirming program is both a process and recognition for ministries who strive to celebrate LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit 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.
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 will discern how our new structure can live into the spirit and practice of being Affirming.
The members of the Equity and Diversity Committee are: Liz Carter-Morgan, Cathey Day, Ken Delisle, Diane Dwarka, Alan Gershuny, Jamie Miller, Linda Rodgers, Don Schau. Contact them through Julie Graham, staff liaison. Here is the draft Affirming vision statement for the Regional Council; it will go to the annual meeting of the entire Regional Council for approval.
Have a look for 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.
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
