Weekly Announcements

STATEMENT FROM THE EAST CENTRAL ONTARIO REGIONAL COUNCIL, United Church of Canada

 November, 2023

 In light of our commitment to Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship and Daring Justice, we as the East Central Ontario Regional Council offer this statement in response to the recent protests across Canada, including our own province of Ontario.

 This communications campaign is in partnership with the Nakonha:ka Regional Council of the United Church of Canada.

 This past fall there has been a rise in fear-mongering and spreading misinformation around Ontario laws as they relate to school boards in particular, claiming to be defending the rights of parents. The health and safety of our children is of great concern to us. Ensuring that our 2SLGBTQIA youth are not faced with violence, hatred and isolation is a top priority for us. We decry destructive and unhealthy messages being circulated by certain public figures in Ontario, Quebec and other parts of Canada, that spread falsehoods about trans people being a danger to children and youth.

 This generates fear, anxiety and hatred instead of a society that sees all humanity as God’s beautiful and very good creation.

 “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31 (NRSVUE)

 We ask those members of churches in particular who are expressing antagonism towards trans people, to remember that in Christ there is no male nor female, no Jew nor Greek (Galatians 3:28). It is time to build a world inspired by God’s dream, that all may be one (John 17:21). A world where we are called to love one another as Jesus loved us (John 13:34), reminded of how Jesus himself tore down walls of exclusion and expressed an abundant love that exceeds all limited human understanding.

 We invite our neighbours in Ontario, Quebec and the rest of Canada to join us in building a world of radical love and inclusion.

 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NRSVUE)

 May we all learn to love, be joyful and peaceful in the name of the One who claims us, commissions us and loves us.

Rev. Wanda Stride, Speaker, ECORC Assembly of Elders

Joyce Payne and Kimberly Collins Affirm forum Co-chairs, ECORC

NOTE: All communities of faith and pastoral charges within East Central Ontario Regional Council are invited to share this statement with their congregations, on social media and with local media. This communications campaign is in partnership with the Nakonha:ka Regional Council of the United Church of Canada