Affirming Ministry
Grace’s Journey to Affirming
Summary of Grace United Church’s Affirming Ministry Lunch & Learn on January 29, 2023
The Worship Service
The Affirming Ministry Lunch & Learn followed an Affirming forward service lead by Richard Bott and supported by members of the Affirming Ministry namely, Steven Bottaro, Sharyn Georgas, Jane Jenner, and Janet Saunders. Watch the entire service here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uh6jVMijI0
The Lunch & Learn Workshop Process
The Lunch & Learn event was quickly set up during the Coffee Social. Approximately 40 participants enjoyed the lunch provided. Thanks to Myrna-Gail who helped with the beverages and set up. On each of the tables the Affirming Committee provided several handouts:
- A list of the definitions of the individual “communities” making up the 2S/LGBTQIA+ acronym of the larger queer community;
- Wheel of Privilege and Power; and
- the handout from “Open Hearts: Resources for Affirming Ministries in the United Church of Canada”, entitled Why Become an Affirming Ministry?
Table Discussions over Lunch
Also on the table were several stickies to encourage responses from the participants to three questions:
- What stood out for you regarding the service today?
- What did you learn that was new?
- What needs to be clarified?
Some in the congregation loved Richard’s stole, while others enjoyed the fact that the Affirming Committee members remained in the congregation while reading their portions of the service. Many were also surprised that there is such a small percentage of Affirming congregations within the broader United Church of Canada. Some commented on the history and the timelines of Affirm United and the United Church.
https://affirmunited.ause.ca/history/
https://affirmunited.ause.ca/affirming-ministries/
Many participants were prompted by the questions to participate in the open forum. For those who were not comfortable participating within a large group, the stickies provided the opportunity to write down comments or questions throughout the workshop. Participants were then encouraged to park those stickies on the easel. Questions will be answered at the end of the session or reference made as to where to find additional information.
Safe Space, Pronouns, “This is Us” & Language
Richard talked about safe spaces and the use of pronouns by all in order to create a safe place for everyone. When thinking about the 2S and LGBTQIA+ community we need to say to ourselves “This is Us” as people within our congregation and immediate family members are part of the 2S and LGBTQIA+ community. Language is important when we are discussing issues related to marginalized communities; however, until we learn them, we can use the language we know, and as we learn the appropriate terminology, we will use that. This allows us to all learn together and in a safe environment.
The Agenda for the Lunch and Learn focused on three main topics:
- Affirming Vs. Welcoming
- Privilege
- Allyship
Affirming Vs Welcoming
One of the comments we received from a Grace member is attaining a level of comfort when trying to explain to a friend or family member what “affirming” is. Here is a video clip of one person’s take on what “affirming” means to them. This clip is a video documenting the affirmation process by Riverside United Church in London, ON.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcx6cImMlhY
- Discussion between welcoming and affirming is important. We will need to revisit this to make sure the distinction is understood.
- Numerous questions were raised about the Affirming process – what it involves, how long it takes, what is required to become Affirming, and to maintain the Affirming designation.
- Concern expressed by some: “Are THEY (i.e., 2SLGBTQIA+) going to take over?”.
- One of our core values is inclusivity, and that becoming Affirming ties in with this.
Privilege
Discussion of what privilege is using the wheel of privilege and power.
Here is the link for the wheel which includes gender, and sexuality, as well as race. Take a look at the wheel and make a note of where you sit on the wheel in each category. The closer to the centre of the wheel you are, the more privilege you have.
Here is a link to a video to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD5f8GuNuGQ
What is privilege?
- Unearned advantage we get from being part of a dominant group whose needs traditionally have been prioritized by systems (e.g., government, police, school etc.).
- We don’t earn or choose, privilege is structural, we can’t control but we can understand and be more aware.
- Makes it easier for some people to succeed not due to efforts or ability.
- By understanding, helps us understand experience/barriers of people with less privilege face.
Discussions:
- Surprise at how many categories were on the Privilege Wheel.
- You have to look at each spoke on the wheel to determine your overall privilege; you will have varying degrees of privilege in each category.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is the acknowledgement that everyone has their own unique experiences of discrimination and oppression and we must consider everything and anything that can marginalise people – gender, race, class, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc.
For example – A black woman may experience misogyny and racism, but she will experience misogyny differently from a white woman and racism differently from a black man.
We are all unique. It is important to recognize that people in the queer community are individuals with their own views and concerns, and not one person represents everyone in the community.
We can use our privilege to our advantage to support and advocate with (not for) others (i.e., be allies).
Our privilege from where it comes from gives us the ability to be an ally to marginalized groups.
Here’s an example:
Video “Sometimes you’re a caterpillar”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRiWgx4sHGg
- What situation immediately came to mind when you saw the snail struggling?
- Was it the wheelchair/accessibility situation? This is an example of how the world had to be educated as to why physical accessibility (e.g., ramps, no curbs, wider washroom stalls, etc.) was necessary to equal the playing fields for those with physical challenges – now (for the most part), it has become a no-brainer. We set up handicaps by being blind to their impact on others…. What are the handicaps we set up?
- The same change in mindset (like the caterpillar) is needed for the 2S & LBGTQ+ community.
Allyship
What is an ally?
Some videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4UEVBdWdms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BxDyFgAQoo
How can we be allies to marginalized communities, such as 2S plus LGBTQIA+? What actions can we take?
- Learn and educate ourselves (i.e., appropriate terminology and language) and understand issues that specific groups face (read).
- Awareness is not enough: we need to put our voices out there.
- Advocate and support; we need to be that “someone” who has your back.
- Challenge in the moment inappropriate jokes or references, for example.
- Support someone who is challenging in the moment.
- Share feedback to someone who is exhibiting inappropriate actions or language.
- Lead with our hearts.
- Be P-I-E. (Public, Intentional, Explicit)
- Mark days of significance (e.g., PRIDE Sunday), etc.
Importance of Allies:
- Advocate(s);
- Someone who goes to bat for others;
- Characterized by listening to find out what would help – what the issues and barriers are;
- Important to understand that broader meaning of the word – not just in the context of political or military spheres.
Check in
The stickies that were place on the easel in the parking lot were reviewed – some were about the definitions and we directed them to the sheet on the table. The other questions or comments were addressed at this time if not within the workshop.
We then checked in with everyone to see how they were feeling. We read two statements and asked participants to gauge their reaction to them by using the orange and blue cards on the table. Orange if you are warm to the statement and blue if you are cool to the statement.
- I have more information now than I did before I came today.
- If asked (which, are you not), I feel ready to make a vote today on Grace being an affirming congregation.
The Affirming Committee asked participants to provide feedback regarding the L&L workshop. All comments and concerns were organized and reviewed by the Affirming Committee at their next meeting. The comments were extremely valuable to help the Affirming Committee plan the next Lunch & Learn event.
Who We Are!
Grace is on a journey of learning & discernment to explore what it means to become an Affirming Ministry Church.
Who are we?: Our journey started with a four-person team that prepared an initial report that was approved by the Board August of 2021. The committee grew from 4 to 9 members and includes; Paul Bartu, Steve Bottaro, Holly Dobson, Sharyn Georgas, Jane Jenner, Janice Martin (Co-chair), Kathryn Munn, Janet Saunders, Kim Wilson (co-chair)
If you would like to contact us please use this email: graceaffirming@gmail.com
While the focus of the committee’s work will be on the 2S&LGBTQ+ community, which was the catalyst for Affirm United (Affirm United), we will also learn about a wide array of marginalized groups including the BIPOC communities, communities with various income levels and those with different abilities.
Why Become An Affirming Ministry?
This is probably the most often-asked question by members of a congregation of an Affirming Ministry Committee. Congregations believe that they are already “welcoming” – so why do they have to make a public declaration of it after completing a study process?
According to Open Hearts “Being an Affirming Ministry is not merely about welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Words like welcoming or inclusion suggest those on the inside have the power to choose to accept those on the outside. This makes it sound like an act of charity to welcome those who are different or marginalized. However, it is not our place to welcome anyone because church is not a private club and we are not the gatekeepers. As soon as one new person comes through the doors, the community becomes a new community”. Click here to read the Open Hearts Document.
In carrying out the educational, discernment, and decision process to becoming an Affirming Ministry, a congregation is openly stating that all are a part of the community – not in spite of who they are – but for who they are and what they bring to that community of faith. Where actions speak louder than words, you are showing the world that God’s love is for everyone – regardless of who you are. Affirm United calls this P.I.E. – public – intentional – explicit. To become an Affirming Ministry is to be nurturing and supportive to all of its flock – to be a safe place.
Click here to watch the PIE Day videos.
Becoming an Affirming Ministry will allow Grace’s strong community of faith to live out its core values – particularly inclusivity (all-embracing, celebrating and honouring the full spectrum of humanity and creation by following Christ’s example of acceptance) through its Guiding Principles of Learning, Connecting and Belonging.
How will we do it?
Committee members are continually looking for opportunities and information for their own education and for the benefit of the congregation. To date, most of our findings have been posted on Grace-Line under the heading of Nuggets for Nourishment. We have also had “Guest spots” during Sunday services under the “Time of Learning Segment.”
| To Date | Still to come in 2022 |
| Black History Month bios/inclusion in Grace-Line and Worship services (Feb 2022)
PIE month – Grace-Line, 3 “baking in the kitchen with Kathryn” videos, UCC PIE videos, Rev. Helen’s message Invitation to join in Horseshoe Falls Sunday night Indigenous Justice series Grace-Line “Nuggets for Nourishment” PRIDE day service June 26th, 2022 Grace Website development |
Considering Matthew Shepard – Sept 23rd 2022 @Port Nelson United Church
Church Service on September 25th 2022 to acknowledge the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day – September 30th 2022
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When do we cross the finish line?
While no specific date has been determined for completion of the committee’s work, the journey will take as long as it takes. It is hoped that we will be able to vote on whether to become an Affirming Ministry church within 18-24 months.
For more information about the Affirming Process at Grace:
| Heading | Links |
| Grace Journey | Recommendation to board document |
| Affirm United | Affirm United |
| What is Affirming? | Affirming FAQs |
| PIE Day | PIE Day Videos |
| Black History Month | Black History Month Bios |
| Indigenous Peoples | September 30th – National Day of Truth and Reconciliation |
| 2S and LGBTQIA+ | 2S and LGBTQIA+ definitions
PRIDE Service at Grace June 26 2022 When Pride Is Not a Sin: The Season of Overcoming Gay Shame – Rev Emily Heath |
| Asian Peoples | Asian Heritage Month |
Check out our in-house library of books written by Indigenous authors as well as other vulnerable population authors. Also some children’s books. Please return in a 3 week timeframe if possible. the library is located in the Narthex of the Church (in the back of the Sanctuary).