St. Mark's United Church

AFFIRMING CONGREGATION

One of the questions before the Congregation during the 2006 Joint Needs Assessment was whether we were willing to explore becoming a formally designated “Affirming Congregation” of the United Church. The response was strongly "Yes!". At our Congregational Meeting last year we reaffirmed this direction. Anne Parks, Harry Brown and Kathryn Moase were asked to take the lead in engaging us in the discernment process.

What is a designated "Affirming Congregation"?

An “Affirming Congregation" is one that has intentionally reflected upon what it means to be inclusive and that has evaluated its openness to the ongoing work of being intentional about how it welcomes and includes others within the life and work of the church. All barriers to those wishing to be a part of the congregation are explored, particularly, though not only, those around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

A Sunday service was held on May 4th, 2008 to explore our history of inclusion and to offer ways of furthering that process.  Check below to see Alan Hall's sermon from that service.

For more information, check out the links below or go to our contacts page to send a message to Affirm. 

Sermon from May 4, 2008

January 2008 MEMO of St. Mark's

February 2008 MEMO of St. Mark's

Flyer for March 2008 Session

Final Affirming Report, Presented to the Board on May 7, 2008