Affirming Updates
Eden’s Affirming Team would like to update you regarding the affirming work and what to expect over the next few months.
Since beginning our affirming journey of listening, learning and discerning in April 2022, we have been considering what it would mean for Eden to be publicly recognized as an affirming faith community. We have heard stories from the LGBTQ community, learned about the historical and present day challenges the queer community faces in the religious world, and we have considered our own preconceptions, biases, and misunderstandings surrounding the relationship between this community and the church. We have also recognized that we have a lot more to learn and many stories to hear as we continue the work of maintaining Eden as a safe space and to publicly, intentionally and explicitly live as an affirming faith community for all diverse and marginalized communities.
Next steps:
• At our AGM Pt 1 on Sunday Feb 9 we will bring forward two documents for Congregational approval which have been approved by Council and by Affirm United: a revised Marriage Policy with slightly more inclusive language, and an Affirming Vision Statement.
• At our AGM Pt 2 on Sunday May 4 (assuming approval of these two documents) we will bring forward a motion to be voted on, for Eden to be officially recognized as an Affirming Faith Community.
We are also beginning to circulate the required Affirming Action Plan that the Affirming Team has created. This document does not need to be voted on as it will be a living document which will evolve over time to reflect the needs of Eden and the greater community.
Please review these three documents (revised Marriage Policy, Affirming Vision Statement, and Affirming Action Plan). Please approach any Affirming Team member with any questions or to discuss any aspect of these documents.
Have questions or comments for the Eden Affirming Team?
Contact us here: affirmingeden@edenunitedchurch.com
The Affirming Journey at Eden United Church
in April 2022, Eden United Church entered a time of learning, listening, discernment, and reflection as we work to become a recognized “affirming ministry”.
What does that mean?
What is the difference between being a welcoming, inclusive or open ministry, and being an officially “affirming” ministry? From
Open Hearts: Resources for Affirming Ministries in the United Church of Canada:
"Affirming Ministries are congregations, presbyteries, Conferences, educational institutions, and other ministries within the United Church that publicly declare their commitment to inclusion and justice for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Although Affirming Ministries make an explicit statement about issues of sexuality and gender, their commitment to justice is far broader. They continually grow and change as they seek to live more fully into God’s way of welcome, love, and justice for all creation."
Eden and the Affirming Team have been continuing this affirming journey by engaging in activities such as the following:
- Themed worship services (Pride Sunday, PIE Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance)
- Webinar Scripture study
- Guest speakers (Pflag Peel region, Rainbow Camp, Rainbow Sauga Alliance)
- Conversation during hosted refreshment/social time after worship services
- Monthly "Affirming Moments" during worship service
- Continually updated bulletin board
- Attending a local Pride event (Halton Pride)
- Networking and allyship opportunities with community 2S/LGBTQIA+ group
- Partnering with affirming United Churches
- Much more planned for the coming year...stay tuned!
To learn more about the Affirming Process, visit the
Affirm United website.
Affirming Team
In 2022 a committed team of Eden folks joined together to lead Eden United Church through the Affirming journey.
One of our first activities was a fun brainstorming and team building session where we shared ideas about what the Affirming journey should look like.
These first ideas helped us get started and continue to influence our time of education, listening, discernment and reflection.
I Spy...a Rainbow
In the summer of 2024, Eden members were encouraged to watch for signs and symbols of allyship for the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community. Eden's allies responded with some wonderful photos from our local community, from across Ontario and across Canada, and even from overseas.
Thank you to everyone who contributed photos from your summer journeys.
See the photos in link below:
Pride Sunday Worship Service, June 11, 2023
Eden United Church celebrated the Pride season with a worship service, featuring a visit from the founders of Rainbow Camp (https://www.welcomefriend.ca), Harry Stewart and Chris Southin.
The sanctuary was decorated with plenty of rainbows for the worship service which included beautiful music, an interesting and informative discussion about Rainbow Camp's important work with queer youth, and a time of reflection and remembrance during the prayers of the people.
The affirming team hosted refreshments afterwards, and our guests from Rainbow Camp stayed for a question and answer opportunity.
Pride Sunday Worship Service, June 9, 2024
Led by Affirming Team members, our Pride Service this year included a discussion of where we are on our Affirming journey, a key message presented by Affirming Team member Elizabeth and a beautiful anthem performed by our Eden choir.
The Affirming Team loves decorating the sanctuary with plenty of rainbows, and this year was no exception.
The Affirming Team hosted refreshments (including cake!) during our social time after the worship service.
You can view the Pride service below.
PIE Day Worship Services
PIE Day Sunday, March 10,2024!
This year's theme for PIE Day was "PIE in the Public Square". We took this opportunity to invite leaders from Rainbow Sauga Alliance, a community social and advocacy group in Mississauga, to join us during our worship service. Our guests Tom Lebour and Ron Cameron-Lewis shared with us about the history, work and plans of this social and advocacy group. (Tom Lebour and Ron Cameron-Lewis of Rainbow Sauga Alliance are seen below in conversation with Alison Andrew and Jon Dobbin, Eden Affirming Team members). For more information about Rainbow Sauga Alliance. click the Button below.
PIE Day 2023
A group of 16 to 20 people then stayed after the social time for a casual conversation and Q&A, during which our guest speakers shared their personal stories of how they got involved with Pflag and founded Pflag Peel Region. Click here to learn about Peel Pflag: Pflag Peel region .
So...What is "PIE" Day?
Borrowing from the mathematical PI (3:14, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, which is always constant regardless of how large the circle is), "PIE" day is celebrated on March 14 (3rd month, 14th day) every year. For affirming ministries, “PIE” is an acronym that outlines the goals for an affirming congregation:
- P – Be Public: Being out and proud! Using symbols, signs and words which are echoed outside and inside the church building, in all facets of church life.
- I – Be Intentional: An Affirming ministry is deliberate in their process of study, education and dialogue with members of their faith community. They 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.
- E – Be Explicit: - An Affirming ministry is very clear about who it welcomes. It names queer, trans, and Two Spirit people and the gifts they bring.
Click here to learn more about PIE Day: Pie Day
Watch our YouTube video from Sunday, March 12, 2023, to see the PIE Day message. Click below link:
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