Countdown: Lakeshore Affirming?
Your Affirming Working Group is preparing for the vote to decide if Lakeshore will become an
official Affirming Congregation. Voting day will be Oct 15 th with a vote of 75% in favour to pass.
This is a very important opportunity to publicly declare our support of inclusiveness and
equality. Your vote will matter.
A newly drafted Lakeshore Vision Statement is being prepared for discussion.
Three Talking Circles are planned. Come and ask your questions and join in the discussion
about what it means to be affirming and to finalize the Vision Statement that will be put to a
vote Oct 15th .
Please consider taking part in one of the following:
official Affirming Congregation. Voting day will be Oct 15 th with a vote of 75% in favour to pass.
This is a very important opportunity to publicly declare our support of inclusiveness and
equality. Your vote will matter.
A newly drafted Lakeshore Vision Statement is being prepared for discussion.
Three Talking Circles are planned. Come and ask your questions and join in the discussion
about what it means to be affirming and to finalize the Vision Statement that will be put to a
vote Oct 15th .
Please consider taking part in one of the following:
- Following the Sunday service Oct 1st
- By Zoom Oct 3rd
- Wednesday evening in the Parlour at 7:30 Oct 4th
Lakeshore United proudly displays the Huron Pride decal. Everyone is welcome here!
Affirming Awareness and Knowledge:
Lakeshore is seeking through discernment, education, and engagement to find what it means to become an Affirming Congregation. Although Affirming Ministries make an intentional statement about issues of sexuality and gender, their commitment to all human rights and social justice is far broader. They continually grow and change as they seek to live more fully in God’s way of welcome, love, and inclusiveness.
As part of educating ourselves, there are many aspects of the understanding and language around sexuality and gender that may be new or confusing to most of us.
The following link will take you to excellent PDFs provided by Huron County Pride that are easy to read and understand. https://www.huroncountypride.ca/awareness-knowledge
As part of educating ourselves, there are many aspects of the understanding and language around sexuality and gender that may be new or confusing to most of us.
The following link will take you to excellent PDFs provided by Huron County Pride that are easy to read and understand. https://www.huroncountypride.ca/awareness-knowledge
Lakeshore United Church’s Affirming Ministry Intentions
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.
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.
What is the Affirming Ministry program?
The program is a network of United Church of Canada ministries of all kinds that strive to be
fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. And it asks each ministry
to take action.
The program encourages United Church bodies, and other Christian traditions, to study and
discern what it means to be publicly welcoming and inclusive in their context. It’s important to
note that ministries include communities of faith, community ministries, chaplaincies of all kinds,
care homes and supported living, outdoor ministries/ camps, Regional Councils, and more.
The Affirming program also encourages the study of other United Church resources that
promote the inclusion of other marginalized groups.
fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. And it asks each ministry
to take action.
The program encourages United Church bodies, and other Christian traditions, to study and
discern what it means to be publicly welcoming and inclusive in their context. It’s important to
note that ministries include communities of faith, community ministries, chaplaincies of all kinds,
care homes and supported living, outdoor ministries/ camps, Regional Councils, and more.
The Affirming program also encourages the study of other United Church resources that
promote the inclusion of other marginalized groups.
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.
Can’t we just say “everyone is welcome”? Why do we need to name sexual orientation and gender identity in our statements?
As a committee, and we hope you’ll agree, we need to be explicit about being an Affirming
congregation because so many Christians have been so explicit about their exclusion. We know
that many organizations say that everyone’s welcome, but in reality they may not be that
accepting or inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Sometimes
everyone is welcome does not mean all are welcome.
People of this marginalized group are often invisible even to those of us that want to offer
support. Human rights have been won only when issues of injustice become more visible.
Affirming Ministries are public, intentional and explicit (P.I.E.) about what their welcome and
justice-seeking really means.
congregation because so many Christians have been so explicit about their exclusion. We know
that many organizations say that everyone’s welcome, but in reality they may not be that
accepting or inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Sometimes
everyone is welcome does not mean all are welcome.
People of this marginalized group are often invisible even to those of us that want to offer
support. Human rights have been won only when issues of injustice become more visible.
Affirming Ministries are public, intentional and explicit (P.I.E.) about what their welcome and
justice-seeking really means.
What’s the difference between “Welcoming” and “Affirming”?
Most congregations do their best to be welcoming, but being affirming goes deeper and is
public, intentional, and explicit, in their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
public, intentional, and explicit, in their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
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
Get Involved
June Book Club
Join Rev. Harry Disher for our upcoming as we read This is How it Always Is: A Novel
by Laurie Frankel. For more information, contact revharryd@gmail.com.
by Laurie Frankel. For more information, contact revharryd@gmail.com.
Past events
Congregational meetings were held on the following dates:
On November 6, the Riverside United Church video was shown to five youth members followed
by a discussion.
On February 23, 2023 Colleen Lowrie, program director at Camp Menesetung, led service Why
it Matters.
On March 19, 2023, the congregation recognized P.I.E. Sunday with a sermon from Rev. Harry
Disher, screening of the About P.I.E. video. The congregation was invited to meet for pie and
coffee following service.
- Wednesday June 8, 2022 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday June 12, 2022 at 12 p.m.
- Sunday November 20, 2022 at 12 p.m.
On November 6, the Riverside United Church video was shown to five youth members followed
by a discussion.
On February 23, 2023 Colleen Lowrie, program director at Camp Menesetung, led service Why
it Matters.
On March 19, 2023, the congregation recognized P.I.E. Sunday with a sermon from Rev. Harry
Disher, screening of the About P.I.E. video. The congregation was invited to meet for pie and
coffee following service.
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
