Lakeshore United is an Affirming Ministry
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Since April 2024, Lakeshore United Church is proud to be an affirming ministry.
The April celebration followed a congregational meeting on October 15, 2023 when the congregation voted overwhelmingly in support of a motion to join the Affirm United / S’affirmer Ensemble. What does this mean? With this recognition, our congregation commits to being public, intentional and explicit in welcoming full participation from all persons of sexual orientation, gender identities, races, abilities, ages, economic circumstances, ethnic and faith backgrounds in the life and work of the ministry. Lakeshore United Church is the first to join the organization in Huron County. |
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Photos from our affirming ministry celebration on Sunday, April 14th
Lakeshore United Church’s Affirming Ministry Process
In January 2022 an Affirming Working Group, approved by the Lakeshore Council in late 2021,
was established. Members include Andy Ross, Sally and David Walker, Mandy Sinclair and
Marilyn Potter. The group was formed in response to an identified need to be more public,
intentional, and explicit in Lakeshore’s welcoming and inclusion of all. It has been an evolving
and rewarding experience of discerning and learning how to become more radically and
intentionally welcoming and sharing this through education and group discussion events. With
your support and prayers we will continue this journey working with all in the ministry and wider
community to identify what being Affirming could look like at Lakeshore.
On Sunday, April 14, 2024 the congregation of Lakeshore United Church in Goderich celebrated becoming a member of Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble, a justice-oriented organization whose membership is open to those who support their work, inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity.
To celebrate, Betty Thomasson, Marian Lane, and Dianne Sutton and the Sew and Sews unveiled a colourful quilt with the Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble logo which is proudly displayed in the sanctuary. The quilt will serve as a reminder of the intention to be public, intention and explicit in its welcome of people of all sexual orientations and gender expressions.
To learn more about Affirm United / S’affirmer Ensemble, please visit: https://affirmunited.ause.ca/
was established. Members include Andy Ross, Sally and David Walker, Mandy Sinclair and
Marilyn Potter. The group was formed in response to an identified need to be more public,
intentional, and explicit in Lakeshore’s welcoming and inclusion of all. It has been an evolving
and rewarding experience of discerning and learning how to become more radically and
intentionally welcoming and sharing this through education and group discussion events. With
your support and prayers we will continue this journey working with all in the ministry and wider
community to identify what being Affirming could look like at Lakeshore.
On Sunday, April 14, 2024 the congregation of Lakeshore United Church in Goderich celebrated becoming a member of Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble, a justice-oriented organization whose membership is open to those who support their work, inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity.
To celebrate, Betty Thomasson, Marian Lane, and Dianne Sutton and the Sew and Sews unveiled a colourful quilt with the Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble logo which is proudly displayed in the sanctuary. The quilt will serve as a reminder of the intention to be public, intention and explicit in its welcome of people of all sexual orientations and gender expressions.
To learn more about Affirm United / S’affirmer Ensemble, please visit: https://affirmunited.ause.ca/
The Affirming Ministry Team
Who is Affirm United?
Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble (AU/SE) is a justice-oriented organization of people in The
United Church of Canada. AU/SE works for the full inclusion of people of all gender identities
and sexual orientations in The United Church of Canada and Canadian society.
While the organization works in partnership with the United Church of Canada, AU/SE is an
independent, volunteer-led movement with membership open to those who support their work, and works in partnership with the United Church of Canada.
United Church of Canada. AU/SE works for the full inclusion of people of all gender identities
and sexual orientations in The United Church of Canada and Canadian society.
While the organization works in partnership with the United Church of Canada, AU/SE is an
independent, volunteer-led movement with membership open to those who support their work, and works in partnership with the United Church of Canada.
Think “PIE”: Public, Intentional, and Explicit.
Public
An Affirming Ministry uses symbols and signs which are echoed outside and inside the church
building, in worship, and in all other facets of church life. The broader community should also
know what it stands for; a witness to the wider community that God’s love extends to everyone
equally and without reservation. This is still a radical message!
People who come to Lakeshore United would hear about our ministry and know that we are an
Affirming congregation and what that means. We would intend to have our statement or
Affirming symbols on our website, print materials, advertisements, signs, and more.
Intentional
An Affirming Ministry is deliberate in their process of study, education and dialogue with
members of their faith community (both during the Affirming process and as a piece of their
ongoing work), to ensure that the history of oppression and discrimination by the Church is both
understood and acknowledged, and that continued growth, education, and celebration are part
of its ministry.
At Lakeshore United Church, we might consider hosting workshops, studies, partnerships with
other organizations, incorporating Affirming messages into our services, and other regular
events at the church are all important. But we will also need to revisit our action plan for
possible growth areas. We are in the process of updating our marriage policy, but we may need
to update it to include new areas of education such as safe space guidelines for rental groups,
etc.
Explicit
We would need to consider if Lakeshore United Church is clear how we can be fully inclusive –
moving beyond tolerance into celebration - and ensure this is communicated to our community
and the broader public. We may need to continue to share our story of our Affirming process
and how the work will continue in the future. If there are neighbouring ministries, we could
accompany them through the Affirming process.
We will need to be clear on how we can be fully inclusive and ensure it is communicated not
only to the Lakeshore United Church community, but the broader public. We will communicate
about the on-going work we as a community will do.
An Affirming Ministry uses symbols and signs which are echoed outside and inside the church
building, in worship, and in all other facets of church life. The broader community should also
know what it stands for; a witness to the wider community that God’s love extends to everyone
equally and without reservation. This is still a radical message!
People who come to Lakeshore United would hear about our ministry and know that we are an
Affirming congregation and what that means. We would intend to have our statement or
Affirming symbols on our website, print materials, advertisements, signs, and more.
Intentional
An Affirming Ministry is deliberate in their process of study, education and dialogue with
members of their faith community (both during the Affirming process and as a piece of their
ongoing work), to ensure that the history of oppression and discrimination by the Church is both
understood and acknowledged, and that continued growth, education, and celebration are part
of its ministry.
At Lakeshore United Church, we might consider hosting workshops, studies, partnerships with
other organizations, incorporating Affirming messages into our services, and other regular
events at the church are all important. But we will also need to revisit our action plan for
possible growth areas. We are in the process of updating our marriage policy, but we may need
to update it to include new areas of education such as safe space guidelines for rental groups,
etc.
Explicit
We would need to consider if Lakeshore United Church is clear how we can be fully inclusive –
moving beyond tolerance into celebration - and ensure this is communicated to our community
and the broader public. We may need to continue to share our story of our Affirming process
and how the work will continue in the future. If there are neighbouring ministries, we could
accompany them through the Affirming process.
We will need to be clear on how we can be fully inclusive and ensure it is communicated not
only to the Lakeshore United Church community, but the broader public. We will communicate
about the on-going work we as a community will do.
Useful Resources
About P.I.E.
Kamloops United Church’s Affirming Ministry journey
Riverside United in London, Ontario’s Affirming Ministry Journey
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I be LGBTQIA+ or Two Spirit and Christian?
Yes. And yes. And yes. You are a cherished and beloved child of God. Affirm United/ S’affirmer
Ensemble believes that all gender identities and sexualities are a gift from God and that
churches should be a safe and fully welcoming space for LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit people to
worship.
Do I have to be LGBTQ+ to join?
No! Membership is open to all. We welcome all who would like to support the inclusion of
everyone in the church and society
Yes. And yes. And yes. You are a cherished and beloved child of God. Affirm United/ S’affirmer
Ensemble believes that all gender identities and sexualities are a gift from God and that
churches should be a safe and fully welcoming space for LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit people to
worship.
Do I have to be LGBTQ+ to join?
No! Membership is open to all. We welcome all who would like to support the inclusion of
everyone in the church and society
