Resources
Open Hearts is our main resource for ministries in the formal Affirming journey. It’s also a good resource for Affirming ministries who want to continue to explore and engage the sometimes difficult journey of being Affirming over the long haul. While it uses a lot of United Church language, we welcome any tradition who wants to use it, and hope it will be helpful to your journey. It was created by Alyson C. Huntley in conjunction with the Affirming Ministries Program Coordinators. The table of contents is provided below to give you a taste and an overview. You’re encouraged to explore, and to choose what you need!
Open Hearts is currently under review - just updating so its the best it can be! We will post the new version as soon as it is ready!
Please click here to open the full document as a PDF.
Additional Resources
All of these resources are posted as PDFs or JPGs and will open in a new window. Feel free to use these however you wish!
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Activity: Coming Out Stars (Understanding the Impact of Oppression on LGBT People)
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Why would a small rural congregation bother with becoming Affirming?
– a story of how a two point pastoral charge became Affirming in both points -
Celebrating Gender Diversity – Trans and Gender Identity Kit
Print these PDFs freely:
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The Affirming process in seven steps: Infographic (2017) Bulletin insert/ flyer PDF; PDF poster
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“Coming Out” as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender within a Christian Community
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Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in The United Church of Canada – national highlights
Check out this excellent Affirmations Deck or develop your own, and share these at your display: http://teenhealthsource.com/blog/resource-affirmations-deck/
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Poetry Readings
Videos!
Have a video to add? email communications@ause.ca - Videos must be cleared for public use and be directly related to AUSE’s work, ministries, or membership.
Video from Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble and Affirming Connections, March 2019:
PIE Day 2022 – Queer Virtue Event with Rev. Liz Edman
PIE Day 2022 – Everyone Gets A Slice Panel Discussion
PIE Day 2024 – PIE In The Public Square
Celebrating National Affirming/PIE Day – Rev. Franklyn James
Celebrating National Affirming/PIE Day – Rev. Tricia Gerhard
Celebrating National Affirming/PIE Day – Rabbi Dr. Nachshon Siritsky
Videos from Affirming ministries/ AUSE members:
Brechin United Church, Nanaimo BC on why being Affirming makes a difference
Kamloops United Church on being intentional about being Affirming
Riverside United Church, London ON: Being an Affirming church
Affirming celebrations
Quispamsis UC in Quispamsis NB – Celebration Service, June 2022
Orchard Valley UC in New Minas NS – Affirming Service June 5th, 2022
Spirit of Hope (Edmonton AB) United Church’s Affirming Service, February 2022
Trinity PEI’s Affirming service, January 2016
Forest Hill United Church (Fredericton): Receiving Affirming certificate, May 2017: and sermon
Liturgies
Scroll down for liturgies, reflections/ sermons, songs, and other resources. Resources can be used freely in your worship service or community, as long as you seek permission to use any of material noted as copyrighted. Where material is open for reprint, please make sure you include the name of the writers.
P.I.E. Day Worship Service Templates
We commissioned two orders of worship from enfleshed, which has roots in the United Methodist church in the US, and beyond. Check out the complete services, including hymns, prayers, communion liturgy, and scripture suggestions!
United Church of Canada resources
Affirming Celebration liturgy, Sherwood Park United Church, AB, April 2018 (PDF)
Robert McClure United Church Advent candle liturgy, 2017 Calgary. (PDF)
Litany and order of service, Gaetz Memorial United Church‘s Affirming celebration, Red Deer AB, November 2017.
A prayer for Pride 2017 by AUSE
Worship services honouring the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia:
May 17, 2017: Original liturgy and sermon notes by Ruth Wood, commissioned by Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble and The United Church of Canada. Liturgy-Speaking-our-truth-IDAHOT 2017-by Ruth Wood (PDF)
May 17, 2011: Bilingual Prayer Suggestions Part I; English Prayer Suggestions Part II
Mad Trans Love: Rev Cindy Bourgeois, offered at St Andrew’s College, Saskatoon/ Treaty Six Territory, March 2015. Used with permission. Mad Trans Love sermon-Cindy Bourgeois (PDF)
Sodom and Gomorrah: Rev. Dr. Kate Crawford, Huron Shores pastoral charge, 2015. Sodom and Gomorrah sermon-Rev Dr Kate Crawford-Nov 2015
Fences: Reflection shared by Rev. Bain Milroy at Peterborough Presbytery, February 3, 2010 – reprinted with permission. Click here to open a PDF of this reflection
On Rocking the Boat: Reflection shared by Kathleen Sorenson
Click here to open pdf of this reflection
Resources
Day of Pink: The International Day of Pink is a a day where communities across the country and across the world unite in celebrating diversity and raising awareness to stop homophobic, transphobic and all other forms of bullying. Each year on the second Wednesday of April, millions of people wear pink to remember that positive actions make a difference and that the change starts with each one of us. –Click here to open pdf file of Day of Pink Bulletin Insert (with prayer), created by the Mission, Outreach and Right Relations Enthusiasts, Shining Waters Presbytery, Bay of Quinte Conference
Theme song – Never Doubt – written by Gordon Miller for the 2007 Conference
(Lyrics, Melody and Chord Chart in Key of G)
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A New Affirming Song is Born!!
“We’re Affirming (There’s Room at the Table)” is a wonderful recent song with lyrics and music written by Dr. Janet Hammock, an Elder at Sackville United Church, Sackville, N.B. and Professor Emeritus of Music, Mount Allison University. The piano accompaniment, created by Sackville United’s Music Director, Jennie Del Motte, can easily be adapted as needed by the accompanist.
“We’re Affirming!!” was composed for a service at Sackville United Church on the day they became an Affirming church in September 2018, and it is so well-loved and so appropriate that it has been performed every year since on their affirming anniversary date.
The song is versatile and upbeat and could include up to four soloists, an SATB choir, and the congregation could be involved singing the refrain. There are two short bridges that enable two modulations from D Major to Eb Major, and finally to a bright and celebratory E Major.
Below is a link to a video of a performance at the Affirming Day Anniversary service at Sackville United Church on September 18, 2022. It will give music directors a good idea of the song’s tremendous impact and potential. Janet says “Ours is a small, very enthusiastic choir. This was the first time they had sung live in church since the pandemic started!”
https://www.facebook.com/SackvilleUnitedChurch/videos/516937020433081 27:55 to 33:37