affirming news - october · god & the gay christian the biblical case in support of same-sex...
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2019-10-01, 7)02 PMAffirming News - October
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AFFIRMING NEWSOctober 2019
Resource StationGod & the Gay Christian
The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships
More than any other issue of our times, the church’s response tothe gay debate has alienated young people from God, church, the
Bible, and their own families. Conservative believers—gay andstraight—are increasingly facing a painful dilemma: affirm what
they have traditionally understood Scripture to say, or affirm whatthey increasingly see to be true about their gay friends and loved
ones. God and the Gay Christian shows a third way—one thathonours those who are different and the authority of Scripture.
Remarkable in its affirmation of both orthodox theology and full
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equality for sexual minorities, God and the Gay Christian has thepotential to radically change the conversation about being gay inthe church. Not only is it a convincing interpretation of key Bibletexts, it is also the story of a young man navigating relationshipswith his family, his hometown church, and the church at large as
he expresses what it means to be a faithful, gay Christian.
Matthew Vines is the founder and executive director of TheReformation Project and the author of God and the Gay
Christian. Matthew attended Harvard University from 2008 to2010. He then took a leave of absence in order to research the Bibleand same-sex relationships and work toward LGBTQ inclusion in
the church.
In March 2012, Matthew delivered a speech at a church in hishometown about the Bible and same-sex relationships, calling for
acceptance of gay Christians and their marriage relationships.Since then, the video of the speech has been viewed more than a
million times on YouTube. In 2013, Matthew launched TheReformation Project and in 2014, Matthew published his book.
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Question Time
Question 1:How can I tell if
someone isLGBTQ+?
Answer 1:The only real way to
tell if a person isLGBTQ+ is if thatperson tells you
Question 2:What does
"Transgender"mean?
Answer 2: The term
"Transgender' isused to
describe people
Question 3:Can LGBTQ+
peoplehave children?
Answer 3:Yes, many LGBTQ+people/families choose to have children.There are a variety
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they are. ManyLGBTQ+ people
don’t fit the commonstereotypes, andmany people who
do fit thestereotypes aren’talways LGBTQ+.Assumptions onyour part can bemisguided. The
important thing toremember is that itis very likely that
someone youinteract with in your
everyday life isLGBTQ+ and to tryto be sensitive to
that fact.
who have a genderidentity that differsfrom their assigned
sex at birth.Transgender(sometimes
shortened to “trans”)is an umbrella termused to describe a
wide range ofidentities —
including peoplewhose genderidentity is the
opposite of theirassigned sex (trans
men and transwomen), it may
include people whoare not exclusively
masculine orfeminine (people
who are non-binaryor genderqueer).
of different ways inwhich this can be
accomplished.Some options thatare available right
now arenatural birth,
adoption, surrogacy,Insemination, & IFV.This processes areopen to all types of
families, not justLGBTQ+ ones.
Options vary perperson and thechoice that an
LGBTQ+ personmakes is an
important andpersonal one.
Info Bit: Gender NeutralWashrooms
Gender neutral washrooms (also called Gender-inclusivewashrooms or All-Gender washrooms), are toilet facilities that can
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be used by someone of any gender. They can be simple single-userwashrooms or large multi-stall washrooms.
Having access to gender neutral washrooms are important for somany different reasons;
Access to washrooms is a basic physical need at the core ofhuman dignity for everyone.For trans and gender nonconforming people, using genderedpublic washrooms can be a source of anxiety & stress. People whose appearance does not conform to what iscommonly expected for men or women are frequentlysubjected to stares, questions, comments, verbal harassment,and physical violence when they try to access washrooms (Upto 70% of trans people have experienced some sort of negativereaction when accessing a public washroom).Avoiding washroom use can result in health conditionsranging from urinary tract infections to kidney problems.Harassment, fear of harassment, and the physical discomfortof not using the toilet when needed are alleviated. Gender-inclusive washrooms do not just benefit trans andgender nonconforming people. They can also make life easierfor parents with children of different genders and caregiversof elderly people or people with disabilities whose gender isnot the same as their own.
Gender Neutral Washrooms are an important aspect to have inany building! It helps those who may fear gendered washrooms. Italso doesn’t just help LGBTQ+ but a whole variety of people. Locate
the gender neutral washrooms around you at home, work, church,or malls and note where they are!
Heres a hint... there are gender neutral washrooms in your ownhome!
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Future EventsPronouns? What's the point?
Date/Time: Oct 2nd, 7-8:30pm
Location: St. Albert United Church
Description: He, She, Ze, Ve, They, and Per? What language are we speaking?What do these mean and how are they used? Pronouns are a complex area of
language that can take time to learn, especially to learn well. The English language isalways changing and evolving, mostly in ways that make communication easier.
Pronouns outside of the stereotypical He/She can sometimes be daunting, new, oreven useless to some folks, but to many LGBTQ people, they are very important to
their self identity and is the pinnacle of respect. If you want to learn more aboutpronouns, what they mean and how they are used, then this is the workshop for you!
Movie Night: PRIDE
Date/Time: Oct 4th, 6:30-9pm
Location: St. David's United Church in Leduc
Description: Free Public Screening of the 2014 movie PRIDE with time fordiscussion afterwards. It is about London-based gay and lesbian activists lending
their support to striking miners in 1984 Wales after realizing that they share commonfoes in government leaders, the police and the press.
"Why Be Affirming? Conversation
Date/Time: Oct 5th, 10am-12pm
Location: St. David's United Church in Leduc
Description: St. David's is discerning whether to become a formal Affirming Ministrywithin the United Church of Canada. Everyone and anyone who cares about St.David's United Church is invited to come to learn about why we might want to
be Affirming and to share about how you think and feel about the prospect.
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Finding Bobbi Film Screening
Date/Time: Oct 5th, 7-8:30pm Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.
Location: Robertson-Wesley United Church
Description: Affirming Ministries hosts a film screening of Finding Bobbi (a TELUSoriginal and Reel Girls Media production). After half a life in the wrong body, Bobbi(who grew up as Robert) transitioned at the age of 53. This transgender woman'sincredible story is funny, heartbreaking and ultimately life-affirming as it follows herreturn to the stage after a 23-year absence in a gender-bending production of the
Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Oklahoma! at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Spectrum All Ages Drag Show & Q&A
Date/Time: Oct 19th, 4-6pm $10 entry fee - $20 per family (children 12 & younger)
Location: Trinity United Church
Description: In celebration of becoming an Affirming Church, Trinity is hosting an allages drag show. There will be performances, refreshments, and an Q&A portion to
end the night. The event will be co-hosted by Cathy Campbell and Ivy League.
Affirming Celebration
Date/Time: Oct 20th, 10:30-11:30am
Location: Trinity United Church
Description: A service celebration that shows that Trinity United Church is fullyinclusive of all!
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Monthly ProgramsBible Queeries
Date/Time: Oct 6th, 7-9pm
Location: McDougall UnitedChurch
Description: A spirited monthlyBible discussion. Bring your
favourite Bible or study Bible and beprepared to think outside the box.
The Be Group
Date/Time: Oct 12th, 4-6pm
Location: Robertson-Wesley UnitedChurch
Description: A secular activitygroup for transgender, transsexual,gender-queer, gender-fluid, Two-
Spirit, and non-binary & questioningminorities, regardless of age,
disability, race, ethnicity, religion, oreconomic status. Whether or not aperson is transitioning, transitioned,
or exploring life broadly or not.
Haven
Date/Time: Oct 20th, 7-9pm
Location: McDougall UnitedChurch
Generous Space Edmonton Group
Date/Time: Oct 12th, 2-6pm
Location: Email for Location
Description: This is a group thatmeets for fun activities,
conversation, fellowship, and prayerwith a focus on including
LGBTQ2S+ Christians and allies.
SoulOUTing
Date/Time: October 13th, 7-9pm
Location: Robertson-Wesley UnitedChurch
Description: This is a safe placewhere LGBTQ2S+ folks and allies
can explore the sacred and connectwith one another. This group isinterfaith focused and holds an
informal way of worship, sharing,and study
Weaving Body, Mind, and Spirit
Date/Time: Oct 9th & 23rd, 3:30-5pm
Location: The Landing Society
Description: Weavings is one of theLanding's regular programs and is a
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Description: Haven is an inclusiveChristian worship service and
community for LGBTQ2S+individuals, allies and anyone who
feels like they do not fit in.
bi-weekly drop in safespace/community where we cannourish ourselves spiritually and
learn about spirituality and sexualityfrom a queer affirming perspective.
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