Gladwin Heights United Church, an inclusive and caring community, is called to be a ministry that celebrates God's goodness and love. Our congregation works for justice and encourages the full participation of all people in every aspect of the life and work of our church. Gladwin Heights United Church is inclusive of  class, race, sex, age, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Gladwin Heights’ Affirming Journey            

Every affirming process is unique and takes each congregation as long as it needs to take. Gladwin Heights’ affirming journey began in May 2017 with a proposal brought to the Church Board by Patricia Lockhart, a Ministry and Personnel representative on the Board. After a resounding “Yes!”, a committee was struck. Arlene Kropp, a Friend of Affirm from the early 1980s; Carlene Stein, President of United Church People (UCP), formerly United Church Women (UCW); and Gayle LaPointe, Board Chair, first met in June 2017 to plan a roadmap for the journey. 

When the concept of an Affirming Ministry was brought to the congregation, the first question raised by this caring community was: “Aren’t we already?”. It was quickly understood that an intentional welcome to individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientation was necessary in order to promote justice, love and support.

A year-long process of education and discernment engaged the Gladwin family in activities such as film review/discussion and a presentation by Dr. Martha Dow, Department Head of Social, Cultural and Media Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley. Reverend Tim Bowman delivered thought-provoking sermons on the theology of inclusion.

On June 10, 2018, Gladwin Heights voted unanimously to become an Affirming Ministry and approved an updated Vision Statement.

Gladwin Heights United Church Vision Statement

Grounded in Faith; Together in Love; Justice for All

Gladwin Heights United Church, an inclusive and caring community, is called to be a ministry that celebrates God's goodness and love. Our congregation works for justice and encourages the full participation of all people in every aspect of the life and work of our church. Gladwin Heights United Church is inclusive of  class, race, sex, age, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Once all the Affirm United requirements were submitted and approved in August 2018, the Celebration planning began in earnest. The Gladwin Heights family participated in the creation of the 2:00 pm, October 28, 2018 Celebration. Halleluiah!

The Gladwin Heights Affirming journey continues, as we reach out to the greater community.

Affirm United

Affirm United works for the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in The United Church of Canada and in society.

For more information, visit the Affirm United website: https://www.affirmunited.com/ 

A short History of the United Church of Canada and Gladwin Heights United Church’s Affirming Journey - The Journey Continues

A short History of the United Church of Canada and Gladwin Heights United Church’s Affirming Journey  

1980: A study is produced, In God’s Image…Male and Female: A Study on Human Sexuality, providing education on human sexuality, sexual orientation, ordination and commissioning of declared homosexual people.

1984: Gift, Dilemma and Promise: A Report and Affirmations of Human Sexuality, addresses sexuality and selfhood, marriage, intimacy, sexism, society, and sexual orientation. The United Church of Canada (UCC) affirms its acceptance of all human beings as persons made in the image of God regardless of their sexual orientations. The church acknowledges that is has encouraged, condoned and tolerated the rejection and persecution of homosexual persons in the society and in the church, and calls on the church to repent.  

1988:UCC General Council 32 declares that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, are declared welcome as full members and all members are eligible to be considered for ordered ministry. It also affirms that God’s intention for all relationships (both heterosexual and homosexual couples) is that they be faithful, responsible, just, loving, health-giving, healing, sustaining of community and self.

1992: The UCC urges the Government to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation as a prohibited ground for discrimination. Tim Stevenson becomes the first openly gay minister to be ordained in the Church.

1997: The Church supports the amendment of the Income Tax Act to redefine the word “spouse” by deleting the phrase “of the opposite sex”.   2005: The Church endorses the legalization of same-sex marriage.  

2009: The Church affirms the participation and ministry of transgender people and encourages congregations to welcome.       

2010: Cindy Bourgeois is the first openly transgender person ordained in the United Church.

2012: The Rt. Rev. Gary Paterson is elected as Moderator of the UCC – the first openly gay leader of a mainline Christian denomination.  

May 2017: Gladwin Heights United Church (GHUC) strikes an Affirming Committee. GHUC begins its journey of education as it works towards becoming an Affirming Ministry that is intentionally welcoming to individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientation.  

June 10, 2018: GHUC votes unanimously to become an Affirming Ministry and approves an updated Vision Statement.   Grounded in Faith; Together in Love; Justice for All   Gladwin Heights United Church, an inclusive and caring community, is called to be a ministry that celebrates God’s goodness and love. Our congregation works for justice and encourages the full participation of all people in every aspect of the life and work of our church. Gladwin Heights United Church is inclusive of class, race sex, age, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity.  

July 2018: GHUC participates in the Fraser Valley Pride Walk

August 2018: With all requirements completed, Affirm United approves GHUC as an Affirming Ministry.  

October 28, 2018: Affirming Ceremony Celebration. Halleluiah!

July 2019: GHUC, along with its partners in faith, Trinity Memorial and St. Andrew’s United Churches, host a table at the Fraser Valley Pride Celebration and participate in the Walk.  

September 2019: GHUC, along with its partners in faith, Trinity Memorial and St. Andrew’s United Churches, hosted a table at the University of the  Fraser Valley, First Annual Pride on the Green. Rev. Tim Bowman and Rev. Tracy Fairfield co-presented a talk on "Queer and Christian? No Problem!"  

GHUC continues to seek ways to support the LGBTQ2 community.

Our Pastoral Care Committee and our minister, Rev. Tim Bowman, support those members of our congregation who are less able to attend worship or other events at the church with personal visits.

Youth and Young Adults in the Mid-Fraser Cluster of The United Church

“Does the Church care about children and youth?” 

“Can they learn, relax and have fun with others beyond the walls of their local congregation?”

YES! Here are some of the ways Mid-Fraser Cluster and Pacific Mountain Region youth can get together for fun and meaningful events.

Youth at Pacific Mountain Region General Meeting:  Youth are encouraged to attend, joining the court at some times and engaging in their own activities at other times. One of the things that youth get to do is interview candidates for Pacific Mountain Region President!

May Retreat Every year, youth and young adults from around the Pacific Mountain Region gather to relax, unwind, learn, worship and simply be in a camp environment. May Retreat happens every year on the May long weekend.

Evolve Evolve is a retreat for youth, young adults, and their leaders from across the Pacific Mountain Region. It is held at Stillwood Retreat Centre in November.

For more information on our Youth & Young Adult Ministry (YAYA), click on the link below.

https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/being-community/youth-and-young-adult-ministry-resources 

More: https://pacificmountain.ca/?s=Youth+and+Young+Adult+Ministry