The Affirming program is both a process and recognition for ministries who strive to celebrate LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit 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.
In May 2019, Living Skies Regional Council voted to begin the Affirming process. This reflects its 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 task group, the Regional Council and its members will discern how our new structure can live into the spirit and practice of being Affirming. Task group members are: Joy Cowan, Bob Hayes (chair), Shelly Manley-Tannis, Allison Saraurer, Yoonjoo Shin, Tony Thompson, and Jackie van’t Voort. Staff support is Julie Graham. Please contact the task group any time through jgraham@united-church.ca or livingskies@united-church.ca (we don’t post members’ emails in order to protect privacy, but the Regional Council will put you in touch directly and confidential conversations are welcome.)
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.
Resources and info:
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble
AUSE private Facebook group
Affirming PIE Day (14 March annually)
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
You’re invited: Living Skies Justice Team Open House
Tuesday February 20, 10:00AM-11:30AM the new Living Skies Justice Team invites you to come and share your social and ecological justice work and interests! They're starting the work of re-engaging...
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...
Statement on Parental Inclusion and Consent Policies for Saskatchewan Schools
Parental Inclusion and Consent Policies for Saskatchewan Schools Statement from Living Skies Regional Council of The United Church of Canada Living Skies Regional Council, the United Church of...
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...
*UPDATE: Invitation: draft Regional Council Affirming Vision Statement (with video link*)
PDF copy of this letter, to share. Dear siblings in Christ in Living Skies Regional Council, You’re receiving this because you’re a member of Living Skies Regional Council or connected to a partner...
Affirming updates and PIE Day 2023 invitations
Click here to read this post in newsletter format. Greetings across the Prairies and North this cold January, as the light slowly begins to return, and we continue our many Affirming journeys and...
Open letter: Legacy Christian Academy and associated threats and violence
25 November 2022, open letter from the Living Skies Regional Council Executive. Living Skies Regional Council, the United Church of Canada in Saskatchewan, has grave concerns about the allegations...
Statement: Beloved Queer and Trans Children of God in Regina
A few weeks ago a story appeared about a young queer teen being dismissed from volunteering with her church’s kids program because of her sexuality. During the process in which she was removed it...
Regional Council condemns recent abuses in SK Christian institutions
Printable version Living Skies Regional Council, the United Church of Canada within Saskatchewan, condemns the abuse that has recently come to light at Legacy Christian Academy in Saskatoon and at...