The Affirming Journey at Eden United Church
in April 2022, Eden United Church entered a time of learning, listening, discernment, and reflection as we worked to become an “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)
- Presentation by a transgender artist and performer
- Conversation during hosted refreshment/social time after worship services
- Monthly "Affirming Moments" during worship service including informative videos and information
- 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
- Gathering and addressing feedback from congregation committees, teams, groups, and individual members
To learn more about the Affirming Process, visit the Affirm United website.
In May 2025 at our AGM the congregation voted overwhelmingly (96.5%) in favour of joining Affirm United and being publicly recognized as an affirming faith community. We celebrated this milestone on Oct 26 2025, at which time we were presented with our Certificate by Affirm United. View our celebration service here:
2025 Apology to 2S and LGBTQIA+ People and Communities
The United Church of Canada has formally acknowledged and apologized for the harm caused to the 2S and LGBTQIA+ communities, pledging to live out radical love and affirmation for all people.
You can view the full apology statement and watch the service recording as we work together toward justice and healing.
Affirming Updates
I Spy a Rainbow (Searching for Symbols of Allyship Near and Far)
For 3 years now, Eden members have stayed connected and engaged in the affirming journey by sharing photos of 2S/LGBTQIA+ allyship and visibility during their summertime travels, whether locally during "staycations" or travels further afield. Here is a collection of those photos.
Pride Service June 2025
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.
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 services 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:
