The Affirming ministries of Affirm United work for inclusion and justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people within the United Church and in society. To date, 29 congregations and ministries have completed a study process and declared themselves to be Affirming.

AFFIRMING MINISTRY PROCESS AT HARCOURT

November 2000 - notice of motion requesting that Council establish an ad hoc committee to explore the affirming process and January 2001 motion passed by the Harcourt Council. An ad hoc committee was established and reported in May 2001 with Council deciding to enter the process.

Autumn 2001 - Affirming Congregations Committee established with the development of a broad program of educational events, establishment of an information area, regular updates in the monthly Harcourt Herald, numerous opportunities for meaningful discussion and a Sunday morning service.

May 2003 - Affirming Congregations Committee submits a final report to the Church Council recommending, among other things, that a congregational meeting be called for early June and a motion be put regarding becoming an affirming congregation. The Council does not accept the recommendation of a congregational meeting but institutes a process to rewrite the congregational mission statement. Summer 2003, the mission statement rewriting begins with a congregational retreat in October followed by broader congregational input. November 2003, Worship Committee reports to the Church Council that several same gender couples had approached the church for marriage services but that it had not agreed to them in order not to jeopardize the congregational process. The Worship Committee reported that it was the opinion of the Committee that same gender marriages would be accepted given the direction that the mission statement was proceeding. The Council Chair reports to the congregation in the Harcourt Herald that the congregation would need to be mindful of the implications of the mission statement including same gender marriages.

February 2004 - annual congregational meeting accepts the new mission document with its Positioning statement (‘Rejoice, Renew, Reach Out’), mission statement, core values and behavioural covenant. The congregation also establishes an ad hoc Implementation Committee for the new mission statement document as a whole.

March 2004 - Congregational covenanting at both Sunday services with the new mission document followed by a meeting of the Church Council which accepts unanimously the recommendation of the Worship Committee regarding marriage policy as result of the core values.

April 2004 - the Implementation Committee begins its work.

February 2005 - The Implementation Committee brings six motions to the Annual Congregational Meeting, all passing with an overwhelming majority including that of being an affirming ministry.

April 3, 2005 - We joyfully celebrate becoming an Affirming Congregation. Thank you for joining us today!