Exploring Affirming

The United Church of Canada seeks to fully honour and celebrate the gifts and diversity of all its members and leaders, including those of different sexual orientations and gender identities, and encourages its member communities of faith and ministries to make a public statement of welcome, inclusion, and justice-seeking by become Affirming Ministries.
(source “Open Hearts”, Resources for Affirming Ministries in The United Church of Canada)

In February 2020, the Community of Faith of Central United Church asked that a Team “take the necessary steps to embark on the Affirming Process as prescribed by the United Church of Canada.” Notwithstanding the closure of the church due to COVID-19 protocols, the Board approved the establishment of a Team in November of that year.
Current members include: Bill Moore (Chair), Hazel Nisbett, Heather Anderson-Cortis, Simon Bondoc and Maegan Lansdell-Cole. 

The Team has now completed the research, provided significant resources through the presentation of material, and conducted a “straw poll”. As Team Lead, I am grateful for the many hours the various members of our Team committed to this project…our work as mandated by our church family, is now complete.

At a Board Meeting on May 21st, it was decide to prayerfully consider our path forward and then re-engage the topic in the fall. Such re-engagement may include further discussion, evaluation and possibly a vote.

Bill Moore, Affirming Team Lead.