Affirming Group and process
Trinity United Church is in process toward a congregational decision on becoming an Affirming Ministry of the United Church of Canada, following a church Board decision in June 2024.
Affirming ministries of the United Church are publicly, intentionally, and explicitly affirming of LGBTQIA+ and 2-Spirit people.
Our Western Ontario Waterways Region of the United Church is Affirming and supports Trinity and several other regional United Churches who are in process toward becoming Affirming.
Before deciding to become Affirming, ministry members learn, reflect on and discuss what this decision would mean. They take the time to really understand the ways in which “affirming” follows Jesus in going beyond the usual claim to be “welcoming”.
Members of Affirming ministries report experiencing deep spiritual growth during this process. While in process, as well as after a vote to become Affirming, ministries consider ways to understand and affirm others who are often marginalized. While continuing to learn about how to truly affirm LGBTQIA+ and 2-Spirit people, they may address how to be alert to racism, for instance, or agism, or ways to affirm neurodivergent people and people of varying physical and mental abilities.
Questions or comments? Please feel free to:
- visit the national Affirm United website at https://www.affirmunited.com
- speak with or contact any of our Group Members:
Beth Theis (she/her), Lead Contact, beth.theis2@alumni.utoronto.ca, 705.627.2606
and
Joan Boughton, Andy Cooper, Barbara Downie, Holli Kinnear, Marion Locke, Bev
Mayberry, Dave Saunders