Emily’s Weekday Wonderings – An Affirming Congregation

On Sunday, Leaside celebrated two years as an affirming congregation. We had the opportunity to think about the question “What does it mean for you to be a part of an affirming congregation?”Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble  is the organization within the church that recognizes affirming ministries. In order to be recognized as an affirming ministry, it is necessary to take part in an intentional learning and discussion process, to create affirming policies, and to publically celebrate being affirming. As Leaside United Church, we recognize that being affirming  is not a one time decision, but an ongoing process. Since becoming an affirming congregation, we have invited guest speakers, had a movie night, and ran a Question Box to continue our ongoing education. We also have rainbow flags visible on our outdoor sign, our website and social media, our bulletin, and in our sanctuary.

As of the end of 2017, there were 199 affirming ministries, with another 120 ministries in the affirming process. There are currently approximately 3000 ministries in the United Church of Canada. The number of new affirming ministries has been increasing year by year. In 2007, there were 39 affirming ministries total (31 of them congregations). 2016 – the year that Leaside United Church became an affirming ministry – saw 26 new ministries. 2017 had 35 new affirming ministries. According to the listof affirming ministries on the Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble website, Leaside is one of 19 affirming congregations in Toronto.

So, how might being a part of an affirming congregation be a part of our daily lives? A few ideas:

Sharing that LUC is an affirming congregation and why this matters

With a long history of the church actively excluding people who are gay, lesbian, transgender or not normative in other ways, we cannot expect that people will know we are affirming unless we intentionally tell them they are safe to enter and be themselves. This is not just a matter of being nice to each other, but a matter of faith – a deeply significant claim about what it means to follow in the example of Jesus.

Paying attention to the language we use

As an affirming congregation part of our practise is understanding the various ways people self-identify in our congregation and wider communities and paying attention to using language that is suitable ourselves. As language continues to shift and change, we have an ongoing process of learning what is appropriate for our own conversation, even when it means letting go of what was the correct language at a different time.

Being willing to correct the language or misinformation of others

We are also called upon to speak against incorrect generalizations or hurtful language when we hear it used by others. We might do this gently, by referring to our own process of learning.

Broadening our exposure

We might need to be intentional to ensure that poetry, literature, theatre, film, etc. by queer artists are a part of our reading and viewing. It can be easy to be complacent in what is familiar – how are we intentional about broadening our experiences?

Agreeing that practical details matter

Do you know that LUC has an all gender washroom, which is also our accessible washroom? We also have another single person/all gender washroom in the basement. Wouldn’t it be better if all our washrooms were single person, all gender, accessible washrooms?

Ongoing learning

Really, I think this is the heart of a faithful life – the commitment to continue to learn, to grow, and to rethink our ideas. You’ve likely heard me say before that the word “disciple” comes from the Latin for “student” or “learner.” Being disciples, then, is recognizing that an important part of our faith is asking questions, and continuing to learn. In important ways this is a reminder of what it means to be human; life is an ongoing process of growing and changing, becoming our best selves, most truly who we are as diverse, loving, humans.

Blessings, Rev. Emily Gordon