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Foundational to the identity of LVUC becoming an officially recognized affirming ministry is the adoption of a Vision Statement that represents both our intention and commitment to this ministry.

The Affirming ministry team has developed the following vision statement that hopes to represent and define both the work of the committee, but more importantly, help shape the future of our community of faith. This is both an internal and external proclamation of who we are, and how we want to be known.

Proposed Affirming Vision Statement

 At Lynn Valley United Church we celebrate the diversity of God’s creation and affirm that all people of any gender identity or sexual orientation have a place of inclusion, worship, discipleship, and leadership.

 Furthermore, Lynn Valley United Church commits to the following:

      • Offering worship that reflects the affirmation of LGBTQIA2S+ people
      • Recognizing and unlearning our internalized biases, both as a congregation and as individuals
      • Communicating our affirmation of LGBTQIA2S+ people in the community through words, symbols, and actions
      • Offering and participating in ongoing social and education activities as a congregation in support of LGBTQIA2S+ people
      • Supporting initiatives at LVUC that promote safe spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ people
      • Making educational resources (books, videos, etc.) available to people within and outside our congregation
      • Maintaining membership with Affirm United, the United Church organization that supports the development of affirming congregations and networks across Canada
This vision statement has been shared with and endorsed by the board, and was presented to the Leadership meeting on January 23rd. At the February meeting of the board, this vision statement will be adopted as a central tenet to our congregational life and ministry. 


The official vote to becoming a formally recognized affirming congregation will be held at the LVUC AGM in June. 

We welcome your comments & encouragement and express incredible excitement as we move forward with this defining work. 

Neil on behalf of The Affirming Ministry Committee: Kane Schutz, Myrna Pearce, Jennifer Eastwood

1 Comment

Krista about 3 years ago

I like and agree with the statement and I thank you for creating it. I think touching on our biases is huge, but because they are mostly unconscious is it the intention of the church to offer unconscious bias training of some form to the congregation to meet this commitment?

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