Human is human! Assumptions are what get us in trouble. If there was one message that stands out for me after spending the month of January exploring the theme of acceptance it is that we should never assume that someone feels welcome when they arrive at our congregation. We should never assume a person’s gender identity.  We should never assume we know what pronoun to use when speaking to or of someone. We should never assume that everyone is on the same page. We should never assume a persons relationship status.

BUT if we are to assume...let’s assume best intentions.

In this post modern world, we no longer are limited to seeing things as black and white, as one or another in a binary system. Sexuality, gender, faith are expressed on a spectrum that is fluid in nature. Our gender identity, our gender expression, our physical attraction and our emotional attraction, and our faith vary from person to person, from human to human. As a faith community we are committed to accepting and loving all people as they are, as God created them. In 2009, we became an Affirming Congregation which means that we have committed to being a congregation within The United Church of Canada “that has taken and will continue to take a public stance for the inclusion of all people in both the church and the broader community regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ability or any other difference that too easily becomes a barrier.” We all long to belong and feel accepted.

The youth in the church wrote poems of acceptance. Here is what they believe:

happy and open
welcoming and together
that is acceptance

Acceptance means being open
                                            caring
                                               kind
                                               to all

So that each person feels loved
                                           wanted
         and seen for who they are.

That is what God has done for us.
Let us do it for each other. 

Anytime we are learning, and working towards being inclusive in our diversity we need to remember to CLAIM especially when we make mistakes or hurt someone intentionally or unintentionally. C- centre yourself, L- listen, A-acknowledge and apologize, I-inquire, and M-move forward. And most importantly, remember that Jesus has called us to love one another as we would be loved. Let’s be kind and loving in this rainbow of colour that we call humanity. 

Written by Rev. Karen Bridges