Grace United Church on Walkers Line is not only accepting – but celebrating – the 2SLGBTQIA+ members of its parish.
Earlier this month, the church released a statement online saying that it has become an affirming church, which means it is fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
“It’s actually an expression of something that is absolutely central to our faith as followers of Jesus,” minister Richard Bott says. “This is about what we’re called to do, as people who are called to justice and love.”
Grace United is the latest united church around Halton to become affirming, following Nelson United on South Drive, and St. Paul’s in Oakville.
United churches in Canada started celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ members in 1988, when the church’s general council declared all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, who profess their faith in Jesus Christ are welcome to be or become members of The United Church of Canada, the church website reads. All members of the church are also eligible to be considered for ordered ministry.
Bott has only been working at Grace United for about a year, but the decision to become affirming has been in progress for at least two.
“In the first year, there was a committee of people from the congregation who took a look at what affirming would mean in the official structure of things,” Bott says. “They explored, with the church board and governing body, doing lunch and learns, running workshops about gender identity and sexual orientation, and how to deal with making a mistake such as misgendering someone.”
Representatives from Pflag Halton, an organization that serves the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, joined in these meetings, and even had some leaders participate in worships.
Having that representation, both in meetings and in services, was a big deal for members of the community.
“Any time a community of faith takes the steps that Grace United did, which is such a long, arduous process, it’s huge because historically communities of faith haven’t been welcoming and loving to queer and trans people,” Whit Ross, Pflag Halton chapter lead says. “Given the current rise in SLGBTQIA+ hate, it’s more important than ever for other groups to step up and say they’re standing by this community.”
In total, there are approximately 300 congregations in the United Church in Canada that are affirming, but more are in the process of becoming affirming, Bott says.
There are queer and trans members of the Grace United congregation already; becoming affirming was just the latest step in ensuring they feel welcome at their own church.
“We wanted to be supportive and say to the folks who are already part of the church that we love you, and to say to the wider community that it’s important to celebrate all of God’s children,” Bott says.
