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
International Day for Persons with Disabilities
The Northern Spirit Affirm Committee has made a commitment to take a wide lens approach to inclusion and what it means to be an Affirming region and share that vision with our communities of faith....
Letter to Premier Smith from Alberta United Church Leaders
Click here to view this letter as a printable pdf. To The Honourable Danielle Smith, MLA Premier of the Province of Alberta Unit 307, 10800 97 Ave. Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6 premier@gov.ab.ca 25 November...
A Letter from Church Leaders to the Alberta Premier, on the Trans Day of Remembrance
Click here to read this letter in pdf form. November 20, 2025 Premier Danielle Smith premier@gov.ab.ca Legislature Building Unit 307 – 10800 97th Avenue NW Edmonton AB T5K 2B6 Dear Premier Smith,...
Online Intercultural Workshop and Western Intercultural Ministries Network AGM
Beyond the Chinese Face: Challenges Faced by Chinese in Canada: Explore aspects of the experience of the Chinese experience in Canada, followed by WIMN’s Annual Meeting. Thursday, November 20, 2025,...
Inspiration and support for Orange Shirt Day 2025
September 30, and the preceding Sunday are important times for renewing our collective commitment to truth-telling and steps towards reconcili-action. Below are some resources to support your...
Call for AB to rescind permit for right wing Christian concert
The chairs of the Regional Council Executive and the Affirming Committee offer to our Region and its communities the following strong concern about an upcoming extremist right wing Christian concert...
Regional update on the Apology to Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people on August 8
August 8 at 9:00AM MDT, the United Church will offer a public apology to 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Read on to learn how to participate and be supported. Dear members of the Northern Spirit, Living Skies,...
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
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
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,...
