All Are Welcome

What is the Affirming Ministries Program?

The Affirming Ministries Program is a network of United Church of Canada ministries of all kinds that strive to be fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities - and it asks each ministry to take action. The program was launched in 1992, and The United Church officially endorsed the program in 2000 and encouraged its ministries to participate. The program encourages all United Church bodies, and other Christian traditions, to study and discern what it means to be publicly welcoming and inclusive in their context. Currently, there are over 200 Affirming ministries and ministries in the process across Canada. Jesus’ ministry included all, and the Gospel calls us to do the same!

At the June 7, 2023 Christ First Council meeting, Council approved the formation of an Affirm Study Group to undertake the journey towards becoming an Affirming Church according to the program defined by Affirm United. This work is currently ongoing at Christ First, and we plan to bring this vote to the congregation in 2025.

 Questions?

If you have any questions throughout this process, or would like a representative from our Affirming Study Group to meet with a group that you are involved in, please reach out using the form below.