At the Official Board meeting held on September 28, a motion to form an Affirming Ministry Congregational Working Group was unanimously approved. The mandate of this group is to embark on a process of investigation, discernment, reflection and understanding of how our church may engage in public, intentional, and explicit acts of welcome for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in our church. This work is supported by the Affirming Ministry program offered by the organization Affirm United. This work will involve liaising with the United Church of Canada, Regional Council, Affirm United, churches who are already Affirming Ministries, and also with the local community.
The group will provide information, education, feed-back, resources, theological exploration, and learning events for the congregation. This process will last at least twelve months, after which time the group will make a recommendation to a Congregational Meeting as to whether Glen Morris United Church should become an Affirming Ministry. It will be the decision of the congregation to accept or reject the recommendation made by the working group.
Reverend Michiko has agreed to be the Chair of the working group, and two members of the Official Board have agreed to be members. Several more members of the congregation will be needed to join the group, and I would ask anyone interested to contact either me or Reverend Michiko. Similarly, should you have any questions about this process, reach out to either of us.
Robert Williams
Chair, GMUC Official Board
Phone: 519 632 8587
Email: robertscottwilliams@gmail.com
Rev Michiko Bown-Kai
Phone: 647 967 0746
Email: michikobownkai@gmail.com