AFFIRM AT FIRST-ST. ANDREW'S - London, Ontario - GOD'S LOVE INCLUDES EVERYONE
Public, intentional and explicit
welcome
At First-St. Andrew's United Church, we believe every person is created in the image of God and worthy of dignity, safety, respect and belonging.
Our Affirm Committee helps our congregation keep growing in faith, justice, inclusion and care for LGBTQIA2S+ people and for the wider diversity of our community.
"God's love includes everyone."
This is more than a byline for us. It is a commitment we are continually learning to live in worship, community, language and public witness.
Contact the Commitee
Contact
FAQ
What is an Affirming congregation?
An affirming congregation is more than generally welcoming. It makes a clear and public commitment to full inclusion for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions
In the life of the church, that commitment is meant to show up, not only in what we say, but also in how we worship, lead, learn, care for one another, use language, shape policy and practise hospitality
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welcoming LGBTQIA2S+ people into the full life and leadership of the church
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honouring names and pronouns
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working against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexism, racism, ableism, and other forms of exclusion
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creating safer spaces for faith, healing and belonging
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continuing to learn rather than assuming the work is finished
God's love includes everyone
A simple statement of faith that shapes how we welcome, learn, worship and act together.
What does P.I.E. mean?
Public. Intentional. Explicit. Being Affirming means making welcome visible and clear, not leaving people to guess.
What does the Affirm Committee do?
The Affirm Committee helps First-St. Andrew's live out its commitment to welcome, justice and inclusion. This work belongs to the whole congregation, and the committee's role is to help encourage, equip and sustain that shared commitment.
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encouraging ongoing learning within the congregation
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supporting inclusive and respectful language
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helping the church attend to names, pronouns and gender-inclusive practices
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sharing resources for worship, study and conversation
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marking important dates such as Pride season, P.I.E. Day and Trans Day of Remembrance
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helping our community notice where welcome is visible, and where it still needs to grow
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encouraging partnerships, advocacy and public witness
Names and pronouns matter
Using the right name and pronouns is one small but meaningful way we show respect and help build a safer community.
Affirming is a journey
This is ongoing work. We are always learning how to grow in justice, hospitality, and care.
Why do pronouns matter?
Using a person's correct name and pronouns is a simple and important act of respect.
Pronouns are one of the everyday ways we acknowledge another person's identity and dignity. When we take care with pronouns, we help create a community where people are less likely to be erased, misnamed, or made to feel unsafe.
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introduce ourselves with names and, when appropriate, pronouns
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avoid assumptions based on appearance
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include pronouns on name tags or email signatures if people wish
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apologize briefly and correct ourselves if we make a mistake
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listen carefully to how people describe themselves
Learning Together: Spotlight on Inclusion
What is agender?
Agender is a term some people use to describe having no gender identity, or a gender identity that feels neutral or undefined. Agender people may use a variety of pronouns, including they/them or others. As with all identity language, the most important thing is to listen to how a person describes themselves.
Questions are welcome
You do not need to have all the right words already. Honest curiosity, humility, and kindness matter.
Get in touch
First-St. Andrew's United Church
350 Queens Ave
London, ON N6A 1X6
519-679-8182
Questions, ideas, and participation are always welcome.
Diversity and Inclusion Calendar
Part of being an inclusive congregation is paying attention to the days, seasons, histories and holy times that matter to people around us.
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P.I.E. Day/National Affirming Day
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Pride Sunday and Pride Month
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International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
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National Indigenous Peoples Day
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Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconcilation
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Transgender Day of Remembrance
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major Christian seasons and holy days
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major observances of other faith communities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "Affirming" only about LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion? Affirming always includes explicit welcome and justice for people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, but it also calls us into wider practices of accessibility, inclusion, respect and community care.
What if I make a mistake? Mistakes happen. The best response is usually simple: acknowledge it; correct it; keep going with humility.
Does everyone have to be in the same place in their understanding? No. Churches are communities of learning. What matters is a willingness to listen, grow, and treat one another with dignity.
Why does this matter in church? Because Christian faith calls us to love our neighbour, honour the image of God in one another, and challenge exclusion and harm