In this (extra) February-March edition:
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NEW! PIE Day worship, videos, and events listings
Farewell and thank you to our Communications Coordinator
Opportunities for your gifts and skills: staff position; co-chairs; Council members at large
Video series: Facing Queerphobia: Responding Faithfully to anti-LGBTQ hate New book: Misguided Love- Christians and the Rupture of LGBTQI2+ People Welcoming new Affirming ministries! Reminder: Annual conference 2020: July 24-26 in London ON
Fresh n hot: PIE Day worship, videos, and events listings We are rolling out that pie crust, baby! We’re about a month out from Affirming PIE Day, 14 March 2020. (Wondering what we’re talking about here? Check www.pieday.ca) On the list of fresh, hot, goodness for this week:
Worship materials! We commissioned two orders of worship from enfleshed, which has roots in the United Methodist church in the US, and beyond. Check out the complete services, including hymns, prayers, communion liturgy, and scripture suggestions!
Videos! We heard the cries of the people who wanted something shorter for sermon time or for sharing on social media. In addition to the original 15 minute cut of PIE stories (and pie eating), check out three new versions here. All are downloadable so you don’t have to mess around with bad wifi in the middle of your worship.
Events listing and posting! The national events listing calendar is now open for sweet goodness. Thanks to all who have already sent their event info in. Have a look and be inspired, and please post your own event right here (we’ll review it and post it to our live site for you). Or consider hosting one! It need not be large and elaborate; it can be two or three gathered for dessert and conversation about God's radical, infinite, irrational love.
Farewell and thank you to our Communications Coordinator We want to acknowledge and thank Julie Graham who has been our Communications & Marketing Coordinator for the past five years. We celebrate that Julie will be starting a new chapter in her vocation and life and wish her joy in all she does.
The AUSE council, members, and ministries all across Canada will miss Julie, especially her dedication and passion to the work of Affirm United/S’Affirmer Ensemble.
We would like to especially thank Julie for her creativity and compassion in this position. We recognize that this role enabled the growth of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble with Julie bringing her many gifts of creativity and sharp insight to the work she did. Together we have been able to share in challenges, build memories, and celebrate successes that have shaped how we reach people as an organization.
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11. Blessings for the journey ahead, from the AUSE Council 2020
Opportunities: staff position; co-chairs; Council members at large Are you feeling called to be a part of the work of Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble? We are currently seeking passionate and dedicated people for volunteer and staff positions (see our website for full details and links to job descriptions):
Communications and Marketing Coordinator (CMC)- paid position, up to 20 hours per week. Deadline March 2, 2020.
Co-Chair (2 positions available)- Deadline June 1, 2020.
Video series: Facing Queerphobia: Responding Faithfully to anti-LGBTQ hate Many thanks to Shining Waters Regional Council for its allyship in highlighting stories and wisdom from a range of voices who help us reflect on our faith to our commitment to addressing hate. See the full series here. Consider streaming these for PIE Day or at your next Affirming workshop!
New book: Misguided Love- Christians and the Rupture of LGBTQI2+ People Rev Dr Charles Fensham of Knox (Presbyterian) College in Toronto brings us this new resource on the church’s persecution of gender and sexual minorities. He invites Christians “...to consider the dimension of harm in the ongoing debates on affirming or not affirming sexual and gender minority Christians within church communities. Much has been said and much is written on biblical interpretation and Christian traditions of teaching. ..Here I bring evidence of the history of harm and the infliction of harm on sexual and gender minority Christians.
In South Africa, my country of origin, I lived through the apartheid era and experienced first-hand how “biblical teaching” can be used in pious ways to exploit, discriminate, and kill people. Presently and in the past, similar things happen to sexual and gender minority Christians. When we discover that we do harm we must stop.” Order your copy here.
New Affirming ministries! A warm multi-hued welcome to St John’s United Church, North Saanich BC, as they became Affirming on February 9! Photos to follow.
Coast to coast to coast, our movement grows. Thank you to all who expand our shared safer space.
Annual conference 2020: July 24-26 in London ON
In 2020 we look forward to a time of visioning for the future of our Affirming movement. As the movement continues to grow, AUSE needs to look at what its work should be, and why, and how. We need perspectives from across the land to help in this time of discernment. Please join our lovely host, First-St Andrews United Church in London (and other co-hosts to be announced) July 24-26. This time will also include participating in London’s Pride Festival, and other fun things TBA.
Photo: come to the conference and Joyce Payne will cook up fab Affirming burgers for you (and for all of London Pride).
Events listing and posting! The 
orward to a time of visioning for the future of our Affirming movement. As the movement continues to grow, AUSE needs to look at what its work should be, and why, and how. We need perspectives from across the land to help in this time of discernment. Please join our lovely host, First-St Andrews United Church in London (and other co-hosts to be announced) July 24-26. This time will also include participating in London’s Pride Festival, and other fun things TBA.
