At Red Deer Lake United Church, we choose to be a community of compassion and inclusion.
We affirm God’s unconditional love and acceptance of all people by welcoming individuals of any ethnic/cultural diversity, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic or marital status, gender identity and expression, mental health, or physical ability to all aspects of our life together.
We seek to create supportive spaces and programs that are inviting and nurturing for all.
We understand that attending church can be challenging and intimidating. By embracing everyone with open hearts and open minds, we hope to bring comfort and acceptance to those with doubts or questions, those who are new to this church, and those who are exploring what faith and spirituality mean.
Relying on God’s love and grace for guidance, we open our doors to all to celebrate our diversity and join our spiritual journey.
What is Affirming?
“Affirming” is an official designation from our denomination, the United Church of Canada, that signifies we have spent an intentional period of time (one year) exploring our inclusivity; it’s a time when we ask whether we are going to just say or embody those radically inclusive words of “welcome, wanted and accepted,” and not only towards each other but to people for whom ‘church’ is not an easy place to be. An “Affirming Church” is a church that recognizes being welcoming and hospitable takes more than politely shaking hands, but does the hard, vulnerable and intentional work of creating a space where all are made to feel welcome, wanted and accepted. There are 10 other United Churches in Calgary that are ‘Affirming’ and many more around the country. You can find more information about it here.
Why Affirming?
First and foremost, because it’s what our faith and spirituality are about. At the heart of what Jesus is about is revealing a God who loves and accepts everyone and creating a just, peaceful, and colourful world where everyone has enough and everyone has a place. Jesus called this world ‘the Kingdom of God’ and invited us to join him in creating it. The Affirming process invites us to embody and practice this by helping us explore, become and be a radically hospitable and extravagantly welcoming community of Jesus, a place where people are seen, heard, and loved just. as. they. are. It helps us be the kind of Church that God is calling us to be: a people who, out of love and kindness, make room for others because room was made for them.
So what does this mean for you?
No matter your gender identity, sexual orientation, mental health, where you're at with your faith, or anything else, you are welcome to participate and engage fully at RDLUC.
That means weddings, baptisms (of you or your kids), communion, leadership, and opportunities are all open to you.
Interested in getting involved with other great affirming events and programs?
Are you looking for resources or information you can explore on your own time?
Check these out:
Affirming Connections was created to reach out and work alongside 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and allies, to strengthen inclusive faith communities and those who seek to become affirming and to be a public voice of welcome and inclusivity for all people. Pam Rocker is available to work with churches and faith groups; she has also created a wonderful list of resources for folks to access!
A Calgary-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support and empower trans and gender diverse youth and their families in the province of Alberta. Provides free/low barrier programming, mental health resources, medical transition tools, workshops, scholarships, and community-building events.
Trans Lifeline is a non-profit dedicated to the well-being of transgender people. It is a hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. The line is primarily for transgender people experiencing a crisis-this includes people who may be struggling with their identity and may not be sure that they are transgender. They welcome the call of any transgender person in need if you are not sure that you should call, call them.