by Michele | Sep 13, 2024 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Children & Youth, Community, Events, Global Community, Indigenous Justice, Learning Opportunity, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, News, Resources, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada
Greetings Siblings in Christ,
It has come to our attention that across-Canada anti-2S-LGBTQIA+ protest marches are to be held on Friday, September 20, 2024. The organization responsible, Hands Off Our Kids (https://handsoffourkids.ca/) states their mission is to:“safeguard children from gender ideology teachings, sexual indoctrination, exposure to explicit sexual content, ensuring that parental consent remains paramount.” They also aim to “protect our children from thought control and will ensure their religious freedoms are protected.”
Their rhetoric has been strongly anti-2S-LGBTQIA+ and especially anti-Trans in the past. This group has worked to exert influence in school boards in Ontario and beyond, spreading harmful misinformation and opposing SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) education in schools, again with misinformation. For information about SOGI click HERE.
These marches are planned across Canada on September 20, including the following locations across our tri-regional councils:
WOW: Owen Sound, Meaford, Hanover, Orangeville and Kitchener
HF: Mississauga (2 locations), Oakville, Milton, Hamilton
ARW : London, Windsor
More details and updates can be found on their website: https://handsoffourkids.ca/resources/
A constantly updated list of in-person presence and counter-protests is available here. The private Facebook group 1 Million Voices for Inclusion, which also hosts community-specific chats and planning, is an excellent resource for ideas and support.
Christ calls us to be a peace-seeking, truth-speaking,
love-focused presence in the face of these movements.
How can you be active?
Faith-Filled Responses
- Send letters of encouragement to school staff and to any student group or individuals who need support;
- deliver homemade real church cookies to those groups/individuals;
- use your church signage and lawn to send PIE messaging;
- write letters to the editor;
- learn about SOGI and what it really is, as opposed to the myths spread about it;
- support school board candidates and members who are supportive of 2SLGBTQIA+ human rights.
- Offer support to transgender, Two Spirit, and gender-diverse people who are being targeted by this movement.
Faith-Focussed responses:
- Pray
- Re-read all the radical bible verses about God’s all- encompassing love.
- And be PIE— public, intentional, and explicit—about the fact that you’re people of faith supporting 2S-LGBTQIA+ people (using your best judgement about when and how, of course).
When we show up in a positive way, it is noticed!
When discussing with your congregation:
- Know that it is possible that well-meaning people in your congregation may be supporting these movements. Leading with language of “hate” in this instance can alienate the well-meaning people that you wish to connect with.
- While the “Hands Off Our Kids” and related movements are understood as hate movements, and that is an accurate description of the impact of these movements, not everyone who shows up in support of these marches is doing so out of hate.
- Name and honour how this harms people in 2S-LGBTQIA+ communities without conveying an assumption that this harm was intended. Intentions and impacts are often very different, but a well-meaning intention does not erase hurtful and harmful impacts.
- Offer grounded information to counteract harmful mis-information.
If you are making plans or have concerns, please contact me, Thérèse Samuel, Minister Right Relations and Social Justice, and my colleague John Egger, Minister, Social Justice.
Thanks to Northern Spirit Regional Council and clergy from Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council for sharing information that helped in the creation of parts of this resource.
by Michele | Aug 21, 2024 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Camps & Retreats, Children & Youth, Climate Change, Community, Events, Funds & Grants, Global Community, Indigenous Justice, Learning Opportunity, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, Mission & Service, News, Pastoral Relations, Regional Council, Resources, Right Relations, Social Justice, Staff, Stewardship, The United Church of Canada, UCW, Volunteer
by Michele | Aug 8, 2024 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Community, Events, Global Community, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, News, Regional Council, Resources, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada
As Pride season continues, hate incidents, assault, hostility and pushback in communities across the nation are on the rise, and some of these incidents go unreported and/or undocumented.
The United Church of Canada is beginning to collate information on these incidents, to map out patterns and also to encourage reporting, create awareness, and support advocacy initiatives.
Unfortunately many congregations and other ministries have already experienced anti-2SLGBTQIA+ pushback. The regional council has created a reporting form for such incidents. Should you experience any incidents, please fill out the form and help us work together to address the pushback against 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and wellness here:
Incident Form
And may you have a happy and safe summer.
Thérèse Samuel
Minister, Right Relations and Social Justice
Antler River Watershed, Western Ontario Waterways, Horseshoe Falls
TSamuel@united-church.ca
by Michele | Aug 6, 2024 | Affirming, Community, Global Community, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, News, Regional Council, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada
Photo Credit Hannah Voggenhuber via Unsplash
Feedback on a draft apology to members of the 2S and LGBTQIA+ communities by The United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada’s Apology Task Group invites feedback on a draft apology to members of the 2S and LGBTQIA+ communities harmed by The United Church of Canada. This is a part of the United Church’s commitment to continued learning, reconciliation and action. A volunteer apology task group was appointed in November 2023, to draft an intentional living apology that moves beyond a statement to explicit action. Recognizing the need for apologies to be lived into with action, the apology task group has developed this statement in response to the findings of Iridesce: The Living Apology Project and the 2011 National LGBT Consultation, for which feedback is welcome. Further engagement with communities of faith is planned in town hall meetings commencing later this Fall.
The draft and feedback survey can be found here.
At the 42nd General Council, the church approved support for a national process of a Living Apology installation project for dialogue, story-telling, education, and reconciliation with persons who identify as sexual or gender diverse including but not limited to Two-Spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer persons. The Iridesce: The Living Apology Project launched in 2017 and was a collaboration between the General Council Office (GCO) and Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble (AU/SE).
Over three years, the project gathered stories from across the United Church and submitted its final report to the General Secretary in July 2020. Upon review of the report, it was recommended that the General Council Office (GCO) form a working group to recommend follow-up actions to the General Council Executive. The working group concluded and submitted formal recommendations for follow-up on the Iridesce Project in January 2023. Among the recommendations was the crafting and offering an apology to 2S and LGBTQIA+ communities.
The apology task group members are Rev. Tricia Gerhard , Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai, Christine Dolson, Rev. Aaron Miechkota and Frederick Monteith. Further inquiries can be directed to Rev. Tricia Gerhard at minister@westworth.ca or through the GCO liaison to the task group, Jane Thirikwa at jthirikwa@united-church.ca.
by Michele | Jul 15, 2024 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Camps & Retreats, Children & Youth, Climate Change, Community, Events, Fundraiser, Funds & Grants, Global Community, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, Mission & Service, News, Pastoral Relations, Regional Council, Right Relations, Social Justice, Staff, The United Church of Canada
We are Hiring!
Job Posting: Executive Assistant
For Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils
Click here for Job Description: https://united-church.ca/opportunities/executive-assistant
Job Number: 24-28
Opening/Closing Date: July 15, 2024 to August 5, 2024
Description
The Antler River Watershed, Western Ontario Waterways and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils are seeking an Executive Assistant on a permanent full-time basis (35 hours per week).
Antler River Watershed, Western Ontario Waterways and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils share staff with many, including this position, serving all three regional councils. These three regional councils represent diverse contexts: major urban centers as well as rural and recreational communities. Within them are significant hubs for technology, manufacturing and academia.
Reporting to the Executive Minister, the Executive Assistant supports the Executive Minister, the Regional Councils and their Executives and plays a vital role in the preparation for and holding of Executive and regional council meetings. The Executive Assistant also ensures that the official records of the regional council are properly maintained.
The primary areas of responsibility are:
- Resource meetings of the Executives and Regional Councils (25%).
- Executive Minister Support (22%).
- Support to Congregational Support, Western Ontario Waterways (15%)
- Information Management (20%)
- Function as or on behalf of the Governing Official (18%)
See attached job description for detailed tasks
Qualifications
- Post-secondary studies in a related field
- 3-5 years of experience in a senior administrative role or equivalent work and life experience.
- Computer skills in the use of various software applications – Office 365, Dynamics, SharePoint, One Drive, Teams, Zoom, and other social media and online platforms and a willingness to use new technologies;
- Ability to translate the purpose of the regional councils into the experience of people making contact: offering welcome and support;
- Solid administrative, planning, time management, organizational and situational analysis skills to prioritize and plan work, meeting deadlines and completing multiple tasks on time with limited supervision, together with flexibility to deal with changing situations and priorities;
- Strong minute-taking skills;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written (includes writing, editing, proofreading, keen eye for attention to detail);
- Competence in arranging and hosting electronic meetings;
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment, collaboratively and collegially;
- Demonstrated research, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of the United Church would be considered an asset.
- Alignment with the vision and values of The United Church of Canada;
- Motivated self-starter capable of identifying needs and taking action in cooperation with volunteer leadership and other staff.
Working Conditions
The United Church of Canada has adopted a hybrid workplace model, providing flexibility for this position, working from a home office with office space available at the regional office located at 1552 Hwy 6, Carlisle, ON. The incumbent will be provided, for work purposes, use of secure devices and must be available by email, phone, teams or zoom during regular office hours Monday to Friday. Travel within the region will be required. Occasional additional hours, evening and weekend assignments may be required.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, The United Church of Canada will aid employees who request accommodation throughout their employment with us, unless the position is deemed to be a bona fide occupational requirement and/or to the point of undue hardship considering issues of health, safety and cost.
Compensation
The target hiring range for this position is $49,462 to $56,372 per year with the ability to progress to a maximum of $65,950. This is based on category 4 on the 2024 salary range. Placement on the salary range will be based on factors such as market condition, internal equity, candidate experience skills and qualifications relevant to the role. Pension and group benefit plans coverage and annual vacation round out this compensation package.
To Apply
Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume to Human Resources at careers@united-church.ca. Please quote job number 24-28 in your application.
Downloads
by Michele | Jun 28, 2024 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Camps & Retreats, Children & Youth, Climate Change, Community, Events, Fundraiser, Funds & Grants, Global Community, Indigenous Justice, Learning Opportunity, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, Mission & Service, News, Pastoral Relations, Regional Council, Resources, Right Relations, Social Justice, Staff, Stewardship, The United Church of Canada, UCW, Volunteer
We’re trying something new. We’re introducing an Ask An Expert series in partnership with the General Council Office. You ask the questions, and we’ll provide the expertise.
Who are the experts? Well, it depends on the topic and staff availability.
Maybe you want to know more about the insurance partnership between the GCO and Communities of Faith. Or what you do when the local newspaper calls (or when you want to get a good story out). Or what the new government relations officer does. Or what the cost-of-living-adjustment is.
It’s kind of like a Pick-Your-Own-Adventure book. Here’s how it works:
1. You send us your questions here: https://forms.office.com/r/q7UM9spU9z
2. We find the expert who can answer them.
3. We all tune in on Wednesday September 18th, 7-8 p.m. by Zoom here: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/89972136949
4. As many questions will be answered as can be within the allotted time. Unanswered questions will carry over to the next session, or we’ll answer them on our Regional Council Facebook group.
5. Tough questions are okay. We’ll do our best to answer them, and if we can’t on the spot, we’ll follow up with the right information.
So, pick your adventure. Will it be insurance? Or grants? Climate justice? Governance? Media relations? Government relations? Global partnerships? Or something else?
You pick. Ask your question here: https://forms.office.com/r/q7UM9spU9z. Join us on Wednesday September 18th at 7 p.m. to get an answer in real time. Don’t have a question right now? Listeners welcome!
This session will be facilitated by: Michelle Owens
