This Sunday, the Nelson United Church will celebrate their decision made last fall to officially become an affirming congregation.
Affirming ministries work for the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
David Boyd said this Sunday is “a rainbow celebration of our human diversity.”
“Being an affirming ministry means that we are a community of love and compassion where all can worship and share fully in the life of our community; it also means that we are proactive about welcome, inclusion and justice-seeking for LGBTQ people,” he says.
While it may seem society is making progress when it comes to inclusion, Boyd points to several incidences occurring recently that suggest otherwise.
Uganda just passed a “repressive, discriminatory, and hate-mongering law” making it illegal to live as an LGBTQ person. The Olympics were held in Russia, a country that discriminates against LGBTQ people and the State of Arizona just vetoed a bill that would have allowed businesses to refuse service to LGBTQ people.
“It is important to stand together as one rainbow family and say that we are all human beings who are due respect, dignity, a sense of self-worth and the enjoyment of a full life,” he says.
The service at 10 a.m. on March 9 will be followed by a celebratory potluck lunch.
Nelson United Church is located on the corner of Silica and Josephine streets.