Shining Waters Regional Council
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Highlights
Small Town, Big Impact
Affirming Connections has a developed a great new video series: Small Town, Big Impact: Stories and strategies from the Affirming journey. The series invites Affirming leaders, clergy and lay, to share their experiences of the Affirming journey including how the...
Celebrating Pride 2022
> Back to Affirming Page
The Great Diversity
Pride Toronto
TRANS MARCH FRIDAY JUNE 24, 7:00 PM (MARCH AT 8PM) Trans March Website UCC PARTICIPANTS Come and join the journey. Walk with the Trans community or cheer them on from the sidelines. UCC friends are welcome to gather at Gloucester and Church, south east corner between...
Share Your Rainbow Flag
Thanks so much to Wasauksing United Church and food bank for sharing this photo of their regional rainbow flag. Let's follow their lead and share photos of your community and your flag. Use our United Church flag hashtags and let's all show up this month with our...
Local Pride Parades
Here's the information page for local Pride events and a place to sign up to receive information related to United Church groups in local pride parades in York Region, Toronto and Muskoka. >Back to Affirming Ministries page
As Queer Folk in Community: a new hymn!
As Queer Folk in Community is a new hymn written by Jeffrey Dale. The tune is Kingsfold. It is on page 53 of Gathering Magazine: Pentecost 1, 2022. >Back to Affirming Ministries page
P.I.E. in our own words
Thanks to everyone who contributed a video and attended our event to share your stories of what it means in your place to be public, intentional and explicit in your affirming journey. View our video library of stories here. We invite all Affirming Ministries to...
Affirming Ministry –what it means to us.
Here's the playlist of our first round of storytelling of what it means to be an Affirming Ministry, in our own words. > Back to Affirming Ministry page
Join Moderator Richard Bott in celebrating P.I.E. Day
The United Church of Canada’s Moderator, Richard Bott, shares his own plans for PIE Day! More PIE Day Resources on the National Affirming PIE Day website. > Back to Affirming Ministry page
PIE Day Resources and Ideas for Worship
Jointly created by Horseshoe Falls and Shining Waters Regional Council. The Resource Page includes includes a litany, children's story, sermon starters and links to more resources. >Back to Affirming Communities page
Shining Waters Pride Flag
These flags were blessed at the Affirming Ministries Celebration Creator of the universe, God of steadfast love Your...
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2021
The Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, was set aside to recognize those who have been killed due to ignorance and hatred, targeted because they were trans or gender non-conforming. The first event took place in 1999 in San Francisco to honour Rita Hester,...
Virtual Pride Gathering June 2021
Virtual Pride Gathering June 24, 2021, 7PM
Read moreCreator each and every human identity
bears your sacred image.
Inspire us
to fully live
the power of this truth
every day.
Amen, amen, may it be so.
Affirming Prayer
Creator each and every human identity bears your sacred image. Inspire us to fully live the power of this truth every day. Amen, amen, may it be so. >Back to Affirming page
Resources
Affirming Communities
AFFIRM UNITED OPEN HEARTS DOCUMENT By Alyson C. Huntly, in conjunction with the Affirming Ministries Program Coordinators. This is a resource for and about Affirming Ministries, includes information and resources on the affirming process as well as ideas to help congregations continue to grow. Includes a very full listing of additional resources. [PDF| 95 pages | 2017]
AFFIRMING MINISTRY REQUIREMENTS From Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble describes the components required in the affirming process. [2016]
SMALL TOWN, BIG IMPACT: Stories and strategies from the Affirming Journey A new video series from Affirming Connections that invites Affirming leaders from smaller rural communities to share their Affirming journeys. Watch the playlist on their YouTube Channel. [2022]
Calendar Moments
- MARCH 14 NATIONAL AFFIRMING/PIE DAY Celebrates the intention to be Public, Intentional and Explicit in the inclusion of people of all sexualities and gender identities.
- FIRST SUNDAY IN JUNE The United Church of Canada celebrates Pride Sunday.
- NOVEMBER 20 TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE Resources for worship and action from The United Church of Canada and other communities of faith
LGBTQI2S Inclusion
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SPONSOSPONSORING AN LGBTIQ2+ REFUGEE AN LGBTIQ2+ REFUGEE Questions about LGBTIQ2+ Refugee Sponsorship For United Church of Canada Communities of Faith [PDF | Nov. 2018 | 2 pages]
GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOMS A variety of resources from the Unitarian Universalists on making washrooms safe spaces, including suggestions for signage.
LGBT RESOURCES PAGE on The United Church of Christ website, our partner denomination in the United States.
OUR WHOLE LIVES A curriculum of life span sexuality education programs from the Unitarian Universalists.
QUEER THEOLOGY An on-line network including resources, podcasts and opportunites for engagement hosted by Brian G. Murphy and Fr. Shannon TL Kearns.
SONGS FOR THE HOLY OTHER Hymns Affirming the LGBTQIA2S+ Community request a copy from The Hymn Society website.
Trans Experience and Gender Diversity
CELEBRATING GENDER DIVERSITY: A toolkit on Gender Identity and Trans Experiences for Communities of Faith
A resource to help communities of faith explore gender identity and deepen their understanding of gender and the integral role it plays in creating welcoming and affirming communities. Includes plans to create a gender-inclusive washroom policy, workshop modules, handouts and a glossary of key terms and concepts. Download this PDF. [PDF | 87 pages | 2019] Link to United in Learning webinar on animating this resource.
CREATING AUTHENTIC SPACES: A Gender Identity and Gender Expression Toolkit
From the 519 Community Centre in Toronto, a part of their efforts to challenge transphobia and to foster environments that are inclusive of gender identity and gender expression. The kit includes a set of infographics that can be downloaded on pronouns, allies, creating a welcoming environment and more. Download the kit.
TRANS AND GENDER IDENTITY RESOURCES CHART
A listing compiled by The United Church of Canada. [PDF | 12 pages]
RUTH’S STORY
Ruth Wood talks about her life journey as a trans person and her theological reflection on love and acceptance [YouTube Video | 6:44 | 2012]
Doctrine and Policy
MOVING TOWARD FULL INCLUSION: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in The United Church of Canada A detailed resource that documents the church’s history intended to enable dialogue with partners and promote respectful sharing. [PDF | 67 pages | 2014]
MARRIAGE: A United Church of Canada Understanding A comprehensive overview of the United Church position on marriage, including same-sex marriage. Highlights changes in the church position over the years and the current theological understanding of what our church believes about marriage. [PDF | 12 pages | 2005]
THE AUTHORITY AND INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE Theology and Faith Committee, The General Council of The United Church of Canada [PDF | 49 pages | 1992] Results of a church-wide study on the authority of scripture.
Quick Links
Staff Support
SUSIE HENDERSON
Communities of Faith Minister for Equity and Innovation
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6262
Email: shenderson@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Teleworks from home in Toronto
Role: Susie supports the regional council in planning and policy for equity and innovation and encourages and connects communities of faith as they adapt and experiment in changing times.
Contact Susie about: Affirming Ministry; Community of Faith Mapping Project; Equity Committee; Innovative Ministry; Wellspring Blog
JEFFREY DALE
Minister, Justice and Faith Formation
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6773
Email: jdale@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Teleworks and works in the Guthrie office
Role: Jeffrey encourages and connects communities of faith with matters of faith and justice and the regional council in youth and young adult ministry and matters of faith formation and liaises with the General Council in this regard.
Contact Jeffrey about: Affirming Ministry; Camping Ministries; Faith Formation; Guaranteed Income; Harm Reduction; Homelessness; Poverty; Social and Eco-justice; Worship and Music; Youth and Young Adult Ministry, United Church Women (UCW)