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: Affirming partners
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble (AUSE)
AUSE private Facebook group
Affirming PIE Day (14 March annually)
Affirming Connections
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
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...
Introducing Korean Rainbow United Network
Korean Rainbow United is a network of The United Church of Canada for Korean queer people and allies, with involvement and leadership in our Regional Council. Members of the network work along with...
Action call: Letters of support for Rev Lee Dong-hwan
June is Pride Month, and your solidarity is invited. In 2020, Rev. Lee Dong-hwan of the Korean Methodist Church accepted an invitation to bless the crowd at the Incheon Pride Festival. As a result,...
Video invitation to Affirming ministries: Let’s create together!
This is your invitation to a video project for Pride Month, June 2022! Rev Laura Fouhse at McClure United, Saskatoon, Treaty Six, writes, “I would love for all of the Affirming Ministries across...
Living Skies Affirming gathering: Preparing for Pride
Join us Tuesday May 10, 7:30– 8:30PM June is Pride Month and Sunday, June 5 is United Church Pride Sunday! What are your rainbow plans? How can we support Pride activities in the community? Come...
