Affirming 2SLGBTQIA+

 

The Affirming Program

The Affirming program is a process and recognition for ministries who strive to celebrate Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people publicly, intentionally, and explicitly. Any ministry of any kind can become Affirming, and within our Regional Council there are many such ministries- with lots of room for growth. Learn more about the Affirming Program on Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble. Scroll down for the latest Affirming news in Northern Spirit.

Northern Spirit is now Affirming

In June 2019,  Northern Spirit Regional Council voted to begin the Affirming process. In June 2024, after being guided by a task group through the process and after a positive vote of the full Regional Council in May 2023, the Regional Council completed the Affirming process with a public celebration. In this journey, we are guided by our Vision Statement, our Action Plan, and by our community partnerships, United Church global partners, and responses to emerging needs and opportunities in NWT, Northeast BC, and northern Alberta.

A committee will guide the continuing work of living into our commitments. Members: Mary Annan; AJ Janewski, Wilson MacLennan; Louise Rogers; Gary Simpson; Mickey Wilson; Rachel Young. Julie Graham (Regional staff). Please contact the task group through northernspirit@united-church.ca to protect members’ privacy.

 

More Resources and Information

 

To find Affirming ministries in Northern Spirit Regional Council:
On the AUSE site; and on the United Church of Canada ministry locator

(check under AB/ BC/ NWT communities for both.)

Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble

Affirming PIE Day (14 March annually)

Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20th annually)

The United Church of Canada: resources

Celebrating Gender Identity Toolkit, second edition, United Church of Canada

Moving Toward Full Inclusion-Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the United Church of Canada (second edition)

Affirming Ministries Resource List

Affirming Ministries Printable Resources

YouTube Affirming Playlist

Affirming news

Reminder: From the Heart event May 30

Reminder: From the Heart event May 30

From the Heart: understanding the impacts of AB's anti-transgender laws  Friday May 30, 7:00PM at Riverbend United Church, Edmonton, and on YouTube Everyone, including the wider community: join us...

Pride Month Planning: Tri-Region Gathering

Pride Month Planning: Tri-Region Gathering

Hello friends! Pride Month is coming soon, and the Affirm/ Equity and Diversity Committees of Northern Spirit, Living Skies, and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils are coming together to bring you an...

Northern Spirit regional meeting 2025 details

Northern Spirit regional meeting 2025 details

Dear members of Northern Spirit Regional Council, and all communities of faith and ministries: May 29- June 1 Northern Spirit will meet at Riverbend United Church, Edmonton. We gather for community,...

Call to action: Alberta Bills 26, 27, and 29

Call to action: Alberta Bills 26, 27, and 29

Expressing your concerns about Alberta’s Bills 26, 27, and 29 and their impacts on transgender children, youth, and loved ones.  PDF version of this resource First, here’s how to set up your letter...

We Sing Our Faith: Intercultural music in the UCC

We Sing Our Faith: Intercultural music in the UCC

We Sing Our Faith: A conversation on the evolution of intercultural music in the United Church of Canada, Thursday September 19 2024, 11:30AM-1:30 PM Pacific, 12:30-2:30PM MDT/ CST, 1:30-3:30 CDT....

September 20 transphobic marches and our responses

September 20 transphobic marches and our responses

The “hands off our kids” transphobic and homophobic marches marches we dealt with last September are making a comeback Friday September 20, 2024. Their locations can be viewed here, and if anyone in...

Affirming Celebration Video Album

Affirming Celebration Video Album

On June 1, 2024, 120 people had a wonderful celebration of an ordination and a becoming-officially-Affirming at Mill Woods United Church in Edmonton. Deep thanks to all the many people who offered...

Pride month reminders: event, resources, and news

Pride month reminders: event, resources, and news

June is a busy month for Pride events of all kinds! June is also Indigenous History Month, so whenever you have the chance, make sure you learn from and  about Two Spirit and Indigiqueer people, and...

Celebration of Ministries and Affirming Celebration!

Celebration of Ministries and Affirming Celebration!

Regional Council Affirming celebration and Celebration of Ministries service, Saturday June 1 at 2:00PM, Mill Woods United Church, Edmonton and online!  Having completed all the requirements of...

United Church News

40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism—the United Church’s popular education and action program—returns in October 2025. Read More

Churches from across the Eastern Ontario Outaouais region will gather at the EY Centre in Ottawa on Sunday, June 15 for a bilingual event commemorating the United Church of Canada’s Centennial. Read More

100 Tables invites communities of faith across the country to transform picnic tables into spaces of welcome and connection, in service to the needs of their neighbourhood. Read More

The national commemoration of The United Church of Canada’s 100th anniversary is Sunday, June 8! Tune in to watch the service in the historic Gower Street United Church in St. John’s, Newfoundland… continue reading Read More

Moderator Carmen Lansdowne shares prayers from across the church to the communities affected by the current wildfires in Western Canada. Read More