Of all the symbolic items inside St. AidanB次元官网网址檚 United Church, there is one attracting the most attention as of late.
A rainbow hangs outside Rev. Michael CaveneyB次元官网网址檚 office door B次元官网网址� a symbol of the churchB次元官网网址檚 official public welcome of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
On Sept. 25, St. AidanB次元官网网址檚 will celebrate becoming the second United church on Vancouver Island to complete the Affirming Congregation Program under the United Church of Canada. This program studies the issues of inclusion and states that the congregation welcomes all peoples.
The congregation, led by Rev. Caveney went through a year-long educational process based on materials from the United Church of Canada, and voted in favour of becoming an affirming congregation.
B次元官网网址淰ery often a congregation will say that these are the values, but by going through the process, itB次元官网网址檚 highlighting,B次元官网网址� said Rev. Caveney. B次元官网网址淢any congregations say that they are inclusive, and yet, for example, lesbians cannot be fully involved or ordained in those churches.B次元官网网址�
The Comox and Salt Spring Island United Churches have also gone through the process.
Laurissa Chapple, media and communications co-ordinator with the Victoria Pride Society calls the move B次元官网网址渁wesome,B次元官网网址� but one thatB次元官网网址檚 been a long time coming.
B次元官网网址淎s everything in our movement has, itB次元官网网址檚 taken time and itB次元官网网址檚 another milestone to certainly celebrate,B次元官网网址� Chapple said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a testament to Canada. ItB次元官网网址檚 a testament to our growth as a movement. ItB次元官网网址檚 certainly not afforded internationally in a lot of places.B次元官网网址�
The church, located at 3703 St. AidanB次元官网网址檚 St., will host a service marking the occasion at 10 a.m. on Sept. 25. Will Sparks of the Northwood United Church in Surrey, educator in the affirming process, will lead the service.
B次元官网网址淔or us, itB次元官网网址檚 almost a public witness that this is what we believe and that everyone is welcomed,B次元官网网址� Rev. Caveney said.
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