2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming

The Affirming program is both 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! Within our Regional Council there are many such ministries, with lots of room for growth. Keep scrolling down this page for more resources, and for the latest news and Affirming opportunities.

Our key commitments

Photos from our Regional Affirming celebration, 1 June 2024. Thank you to all the beautiful people who made this service of worship and praise a sacred time.

In May 2023, Living Skies Regional Council voted to become Affirming, after a three year process. As part of this commitment, we offer you this Affirming statement (video version). Click here for the text version of our Vision Statement, which represents our overall commitments. And click here for the Living Skies Affirming Action Plan (2024, PDF), which will guide how the Regional Council will live into being and becoming Affirming in its work, ministry, and structures.

Being Affirming builds on past commitments, when the former SK Conference and one of its presbyteries were Affirming. And it reflects the need to revisit and renew those commitments. Guided by a permanent committee, and by Affirming and supportive ministries, people, and partners throughout SK, the Regional Council and its members will discern how we live into the spirit and practice of being Affirming.

Committee members

As of June 2024, we moved from a task group which guided the process to a permanent Affirming committee.
Committee members (we welcome more!): Rev Sarah Giles, Rev Shelly Manley-Tannis, Allison Sarauer, Charlotte Snyder, Rev Jackie Van’t Voort, Owen Wright.

Past task group members: Rev Joy Cowan, Bob Hayes, Rev Shelly Manley-Tannis, Allison Sarauer, Yoonjoo Shin, Rev Tony Thompson, Rev Jackie Van’t Voort.

Have a look for Affirming ministries in Living Skies Regional Council: On the AUSE site; and on The United Church of Canada ministry locator (check under SK communities for both.) Many others are currently in the Affirming process. We welcome conversation and cooperation! Please get in touch with the committee through the Regional office, at livingskies@united-church.ca

Resources and info: United Church of Canada

The United Church of Canada: resources
Celebrating Gender Identity Toolkit
Resource: Moving Toward Full Inclusion-Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the United Church of Canada

Affirming news