Sunday, Sept. 30 was KUC’s annual “Affirming Sunday”.  KUC has been an affirming congregation of the United Church of Canada for 22 years (since 1996).  (To learn more about Affirming ministries read why-become-an-affirming-ministry)

In the spring of 2016 when KUC had our big celebration of our 429 housing project, “KUC ~ A Centre for Community and Spiritual Discovery” and the 20 anniversary of being an affirming congregation, one of the KUC Affirming Ministry team did some research into Affirm United in preparation of the celebration. They (Chris) came across a photo on Facebook of a banner hanging in a United Church on Vancouver Island. Thinking it was stunning, Chris started hoping and dreaming that KUC could have one similar. Though she reached out to the church where she had seen the banner, a response was not forthcoming. Chris continued to hope and dream, and showed a picture of the banner to people.  Meanwhile, one of our KUC fabric artists had seen the Affirm logo and felt a yearning to recreate the logo with fabric. In the spring of 2018 the idea caught hold and three other wonderful fabric artists (Barb, Heather and Marcia) joined Marie to create the image through quilting and here we are!   We are grateful!

In the resources from Affirm United, there is a constant theme about the need to be Public, Intentional, and Explicit about our commitment to being an Affirming community of faith (the PIE principle).

When anyone approaches or enters our building, it should be immediately apparent that KUC is Affirming. The Affirming Ministry group that began to meet in early 2017 wanted signage and art that was highly visible and permanently affixed: signage and art that lets newcomers know who we are, and reminds each member of the KUC family that this is a central element of our identity. So from now on, everyone who enters through the St. Paul Street entrance sees the rainbow coloured ramp, and those either entering our sanctuary or looking through the hallway-sanctuary windows will see the banner and be reminded. And if they don’t know…what a great conversation starter!  Marie also quilted a communion table runner.

Since our annual Affirm Sunday happened on Sept. 30th, Orange Shirt Day, we also gathered in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. We acknowledged, remembered and honoured those who attended residential schools, and the impact of this system.