The following motion was presented to a congregational meeting:
Be it resolved that St. Paul's United Church become an Affirming Congregation within the United Church of Canada.
The responses to this question were tallied by indicating in favor or opposed.

The resulting vote was 85% in favour. Based on the results of the congregation's vote, the ExploreAffirm committee will meet and  work closely with the Board to determine the next steps and the timing of St. Paul's application to become an Affirming Congregation.

The ExploreAffirm Committee would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the work that has been done to date towards becoming an Affirming congregation.We acknowledge the depths of concerns we have considered, inspired partly by those in the congregation who have expressed reservations about this issue. Throughout this process, we together have been actively involved in the process of discernment. The respectful conversations have led many of us to deeper relationships. Life in diversity challenges us all. Blessings upon our church and our world as we continue to speak and act in the courage of Christ and for the mending of the world.

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    In November 2005, the Board of St. Paul's United Church moved and carried a motion that would initiate the process of becoming an affirming congregation. A committee of 14 people was struck which represented a variety of ages and points of view. This committee met a number of times during the fall of 2006 and on January 7, 2007 a survey was distributed to the congregation with topics to be discussed. A wonderful response of 140 people, including the youth, helped focus the topics for discussion.

    Presentations on the bible's stand on homosexuality, the need for a safe emotional and spiritual environment for homosexuals, definitions and the media and the culminating questions and answer session took place from January to April of 2007. These events were held looking at the possibility of a vote this spring.

Summary of gatherings:

Sunday, April 29th, 2007
    On April 29th, following Sunday worship, a Question and Answer session was held, allowing members of the congregation, who for whatever reason have not been able to make all the sessions, to have their questions answered.
    The members of the Explore-Affirm committee gathered questions and concerns for this event over the last twelve weeks.  Questions from the floor were also addressed. Voting on the question was clarified. Members of St. Paul's United Church who are present at the congregational meeting on May 6th are eligible vote.  We have been listening to each other and the spirit over the course of two and a half years, in quiet conversation and group gatherings. We trust that putting the question to the congregation is respectful of our membership and our place in our culture.

Monday, March 19, 2007
    A look at vocabulary used in the discussion of gay issues and how media reinforces images of the gay world.  Hosted by Ruby Swanson and David Oberholtzer.
    Once again the Friendship room overflowed with interested folk who had come out to hear the presentation centering on "labels." Rev. John Hoekstra set the tone for the evening by opening with prayer, asking for guidance for the words which we use, and help in understanding their power.
    The first half of the evening was led by Dr. Marjorie Wonham, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow from the University of Alberta. Within minutes she had elicited from the group exactly which words and definitions needed explanation, and then, in a most poetic way, placed them on two continuums of gender identity and gender expression - with straight being on one end and homosexual on the other. Then she thoroughly defined all the vocabulary and discussed their importance on these spectra. She also informed the listeners of the latest scientific research on the nature or cause of homosexuality. She left the audience with a powerful word of caution - these terms have their power for harm only in the way they are spoken and the context in which they are used.
    The second half of the evening picked up on this warning. Using a variety of examples from newspaper clippings, novels, poetry, film and personal experience, David Oberholtzer explored the power that media has in forming connotations of words. His focus was to consider - an older homosexual who had endured years of abuse; and a young person, perhaps a grandson, daughter, niece or nephew, who at the age of 14 or 15 is just becoming aware of their sexual identity. He asked the listeners to consider the many years of abuse that an older homosexual has endured in a lifetime. Is this something we should condone for any young person, who is only just discovering their sexuality? Do we want to continue this status quo into the next generation?
    Once again, the questions of what an Affirming Congregation would look like and what we do with these issues were raised. If St. Paul's votes to become and Affirming Congregation, one of the mandates will be to let the public know by our signage and use of the rainbow logo that St. Paul's is a haven from the attacks that still take place in the public domain.
    The evening was closed by Jim Stewart, who on Sunday morning, had cleverly considered the labels we confront everyday, on yogurt containers for example, and what we really know about the information on those labels. Jim thanked both speakers for their candor and skill in helping those who attended recognize the importance of the use and power of labels when dealing with this issue.

Monday, February 26, 2007
    A panel organized by Terry Kaasa looks at the United Church's role in providing a safe place for gays, lesbians and transgendered.
    Sixty people found seats in the Friendship Room to hear six speakers from two United Churches - St. Albert and Southminster-Steinhauer. These presenters were found by Terry Kaasa, who as the minute person the Sunday before, had given a most moving introduction to the issue of being gay and safety.
    The speakers were perfect examples of the topic, for they had taken the risk of coming to a congregation to share personal experiences as gay adults, not knowing how they would be received and what would be the reaction to their sincere and candid stories.
    Those attending heard how important the church was in the process of a young person coming out to parents; they listened as in shock as one member told of losing a job over their sexuality; they heard of the personal rewards each member felt when they could attend an affirming church and be themselves and be active, supportive members of a congregation. Often when a gay person comes out they lose their immediate family and exactly where do they turn? For all panel members it was an affirming church that filled that gap.
    During the question period that followed one could only admire both the trust and sense of safety from both those that posed questions in the audience and the heartfelt answers from the speakers.
    The words "affirming congregation" and the rainbow logo speak with such strength to the gay and lesbian community. They promise acceptance; they signify safety; they symbolize a place where you can be your complete self.

Monday, January 29, 2007   
    A discussion (led by Rev. Dale Irving from Mill Woods United Church) on Biblical passages about homosexuality as well as a look at the United Church's take on sexuality over the past 20 years.  Maureen MacMillan is the organizer of this evening.
    Sixty interested people came out to the Friendship Room to hear Rev. Dale Irving of Mill Woods United Church guide us in a calm and compassionate way through the references about homosexuality in the Bible and the path the United Church has taken regarding homosexual issues. Mr. Irving prefaced his remarks by stating his preference to metaphorical interpretation of scripture pointing out that ones who depend so much on historical context are obviously misleading because of translation problems. The usual references in Genisis, Leviticus, Corinthians and Romans were balanced off by the loving words of Ruth and Naomi and David and Jonathon.
    The steps that the United Church has taken from 1980-2003 were reviewed showing the careful and supportive steps the church has taken in regard to sexuality including those regarding same sex marriage.
    A number of Questions were asked including what the Mill Woods congregation did about those who could not support the affirming process.
    Once more the differences between inclusion and affirming was brought forward. An affirming congregation takes the public stance through signage, brochures, letterhead, ads in the local paper that all gays and lesbians and transgendered people are welcome and will be supported. Support is shown directly in the statement of faith, in all respects of worship, perhaps in support of gay organizations in the community or university setting. It is this public stand that legs gays know that the church is a safe place.
   
You may also want to visit http://www.affirmunited.ca for more information.

Affirm United - 2006
    At long last, a group that will lead St. Paul’s in looking at becoming an Affirming Congregation has met! The group, tentatively named “Explore Affirm”, has come together and will be meeting regularly to provide information, plan events for dialogue and lead communication regarding Affirm United and what is means to be an Affirming Congregation. After a period of study, discussion and prayer, the congregation will be invited to meet and participate in an open vote as to whether or not St. Paul’s United Church should become an Affirming Congregation. 
    What is an Affirming Congregation? It is a church which welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families in all areas of ministry, promotes reconciliation for lesbian, transgendered, bisexual and gay people in Church and society, and minister to and with people of various sexual orientations and gender identities. It involves an attitude of openness to the gifts and graces of each person in the body of Christ and requires an appreciation that teaching and learning are a two-way process of mutual listening and understanding.
    There will be many opportunities for discussion and dialogue during the next few months. The Explore Affirm members are available to answer questions and engage in conversation. The group currently is comprised of Terry Kaasa, David Oberholtzer, Maureen McMillan, John Hoekstra, Ruby Swanson, Karin Stewart, Jim Stewart, Clare Irwin, Ian MacKenzie, Isabel Becking, Ken Stickland and Eric Bellinger, with Jennifer McKercher Rott and Wayne Olmstead as ex-officio members. Additional information regarding Affirm United and the process of becoming an Affirming Congregation is available at www.affirmunited.ca.