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
AB’s proposed transgender legislation- new Regional action resource
Alberta’s proposed transgender legislation and new Regional Council action resource The Northern Spirit Regional Council Executive believes that taking action against Alberta’s proposed legislation...
Hate mail being sent to Affirming ministries
Transphobic and homophobic hate mail from the US is again being sent to United Church Affirming ministries. The package contains messages and a USB key, and often has a Customs declaration that it...
Response to Premier Smith: transgender children and youth
Regional letter responding to Premier Smith’s February 1, 2024 announcement regarding transgender children and youth As you do for the least of these… In a familiar story in Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus...
Northern Spirit Celebration of Ministries service
Northern Spirit will be holding a second Celebration of Ministries service this year! Join us: October 21, 2023, 4 p.m., at Kirk United Church Community Centre, 13535 122 Ave, Edmonton AB and via...
Regional letter and resource on Pride vigilance and courage
A Pride season letter has been sent to all ministries in Northern Spirit, Living Skies, and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils. In light of vandalism, and angry words sent to2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming...
Background on 2SLGBTQIA+ hate movements in Canada
This article accompanies a June 2023/ Pride season letter sent to all ministries in Northern Spirit, Living Skies, and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils. In light of vandalism and angry...
From the Affirming Task Group: A Note of Thanks to the Region
A Note of Thanks to the Region... The Affirm Task Group celebrates with Northern Spirit Region on our decision to become an Affirming Region. The Spirit has called us into Bold Discipleship, Daring...
Northern Spirit Affirming Vision Statement
Northern Spirit Region of the United Church of Canada: Affirming Vision Statement, adopted May 2023. Northern Spirit Regional Council of the United Church of Canada acknowledges and laments that the...
Affirming PIE Day 2023 updates and invitations
To see this post in newsletter format, click here. And click here to see a January 2023 update from the Regional Council's Affirming Task Group. Greetings across the Prairies and North this cold...
Regional Council Affirming Task Group updates
(Please also see the PIE Day 2023 update and events invitations here.) The Affirming task group for the Regional Council continues its work. Next steps will be a draft Vision Statement and Action...
