Mandate
Following the Affirming Process used by the United Church of Canada, the Committee’s mandate is to understand the need for, and the issues surrounding, congregational inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. The Committee then supports the congregation and other committees in their understanding of the issues in order for them to be prepared for a congregational vote on becoming a member of Affirm United.
Resources
ORCHARD VALLEY AFFIRMING RESOURCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Definitions:
For Watching:
Rev. Paula Stone Williams:
– I’ve lived as a man and a woman. Here’s what I learned.
https://youtu.be/lrYx7HaUlMY
– The story of a parent’s transition and a son’s redemption.
https://youtu.be/9NZCWeBNPeE
Thomas Lloyd:
– Why am I so Gay?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U1foLW8h54
Dr. James Makokis:
– Two Spirit Cree medical doctor cares for his transgender patients.
https://www.facebook.com/607271319/posts/10158096800106320?sfns=mo
For the Bible Tells Me So, a film by Daniel Karslake
The Bible has been often used against people who are LGBTQ+. This documentary film deals with biblical passages and themes of sexual orientation as told through the lives of five families.
* DVD is available for borrowing from Orchard Valley
For Reading:
– Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church’s Debate on Same-Sex Relationships, by James Brownson.
A copy is available for borrowing from Rev Don Sellsted.
– Open Hearts: Resources for Affirming Ministries in the United Church of Canada, by Alyson C. Huntley
www.affirmunited.ca
– Becoming an Ally: Breaking the Cycle of Oppression in People, by Anne Bishop
– Love Lives Here. A Story of Thriving in a Transgender Family, by Amanda Jetté Knox]
A copy is available for borrowing from Orchard Valley
– We Have Always Been Here: A Queen Muslim Memoir, by Samra Habib
(Winner of Canada Reads 2020)
– What Does the Bible Say About Transgender People? by Austen Hartke and Myles Markham.
Centre for Action and Contemplation (cac.org)
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- Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations Archive
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- Final Court of Appeal, October 22, 2019
- A Deeper Tenor, October 23, 2019
- True Self and False Self, October 24, 2019
- For the Good of the World, November 6, 2020
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- Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations Archive
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Queergrace.com
“Queer Grace is a curated encyclopedia of information and ideas around the life of LGBTQ+ people and Christian faith. We hope to offer a safe space full of resources for all those navigating their journey in the church.”
www.iridesce.ca
The Living Apology Project: A project of Affirm United and the United Church of Canada.
“Illuminating gender and sexual identities and expressions.”
Note: You can subscribe on the website to the free newsletter.
For Children, Youth and Families:
These books are all available for borrowing from Orchard Valley.
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- A Church for All, by Gale E. Pitman
- A Princess of Great Daring, by Tobi Hill-Meyer
- All Kinds of Families, by Suzanne Lang
- And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Robertson and Peter Parnell (disk included)
- Freedom Soup, by Tami Charles
- I am Jazz, by Jessica Hershel and Jazz Jennings
- I am Perfectly Designed, by Karamo Brown
- Is That For a Boy or For a Girl? by S. Bear Bergman
- It’s Okay to be Different, Todd Parr
- Let’s Talk About Race, by Julius Lester
- Love is in the Hair, by Syrus Marcus Ware
- M is for Mustache: A Pride ABC Book, by Catherine Hernandez
- My Divided Family, by Diane Guerrero
- My Two Dads and Me, by Michael Joosten
- My Two Moms and Me, by Michael Joosten
- Out of Wonder: Celebrating Poets and Poetry, by Kwame Alexander
- Red: A Crayon’s Story, by Michael Hall
- The Boy in the Dress, by David Williams
- The Bread Pet: A Sourdough Story, by Kate de Palma
- The Little Red Shed, by Adam & Jennifer Young
- The Newspaper Pirates, by j wallace skelton
- The Zero Dads Club, by Angel Adehoya
- When Aidan Became a Brother, by Kyle Lukoff
- The Fabulous Zed Watson, by Basil Sylvester and Kevin Sylvester
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