34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Information and resources for the people of Kanata United Church, as we continue our journey as an Affirming congregation.
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Christmas - A New Commandment
John 13:34-36 (NRSV)
34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Advent 4 - Love
It
is difficult for us to think of a more powerful word than LOVE. If
asked to convey or share the magic of love many will think of hearts,
family, health, caring, happiness, trust, passion, friends, warmth,
home, forever and on and on and on. Powerful images. The love of Jesus
is central to our belief and theology as Christians. The love Jesus
shared with us and the love we share for all humanity.
During
this advent season think about those in our church community,
neighbourhood, country and world that could use more love - there are
many that have been harmed or hurt. Many in the LGBTQ2 community have
lost the love of family or friends simply because of their sexual
orientation - who they love. Why are we hurting? What have we done?
When will we be loved? Be especially sensitive to those around you that
require strong role models, a loving hug, support and acceptance -
showing acts of kindness, respect and love to all people is a positive
message that breaks down barriers to hate, hurt and injustice.
Small
and intentional acts - to make the world a better place - may the
season and giving of advent continue forever. May we all be blessed to
be loved by many and share this gift with all. Amen.
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Advent 3 - Joy
JOY – did you ever go to summer camp? Can you remember the joy you experienced i.e. swimming, playing games, camp fires, water sports or music, arts & crafts.
Camp Ten Oaks is an Ottawa camp for LGBTQ children and children of families who identify. As one camper said, “Ten Oaks. It’s a break from the homophobia I face every day”.
Hear the Joy when you read some of the Inspiring change stories from the website at - http://www.tenoaksproject.org/ A donation to Camp Ten Oaks would help bring JOY to a camper this summer.
Following is Sherman’s story –
Sherman
15 years old
Camper since 2011
I’m not like every other teenager and I never will be. But Camp Ten Oaks has shown me that I can be whoever I want to be. And, nobody can ever judge me for that.
I came out as gay when I was 13. I was severely bullied at school and it felt like there was nothing I could do about it. My social worker suggested I go to Camp Ten Oaks and that moment changed my life.
I’ve now been to camp for three years in a row, but I remember not knowing what I signed up for that first year. I’m not normally an outdoors-y person and camp is, well, it’s quite rustic. I couldn’t believe it – not much electricity, outhouses, and never ending stairs!
After a few days though, none of that mattered. I was just having the best time ever.
For the first time I felt like I belonged. There are so many amazing people at camp. Ten Oaks was the first place I felt that nobody judged me. I can’t even put that feeling into words – it’s liberating – the best feeling in the world.
Every summer I’ve gone back to camp, it’s affected my life for the rest of the year. Because of Camp Ten Oaks, I can be more myself than I’ve ever been.
I want to thank everyone with my life who makes camp possible. The Ten Oaks Project has helped and changed me in a way nothing else could.
Camp Ten Oaks is an Ottawa camp for LGBTQ children and children of families who identify. As one camper said, “Ten Oaks. It’s a break from the homophobia I face every day”.
Hear the Joy when you read some of the Inspiring change stories from the website at - http://www.tenoaksproject.org/ A donation to Camp Ten Oaks would help bring JOY to a camper this summer.
Following is Sherman’s story –
Sherman
15 years old
Camper since 2011
I’m not like every other teenager and I never will be. But Camp Ten Oaks has shown me that I can be whoever I want to be. And, nobody can ever judge me for that.
I came out as gay when I was 13. I was severely bullied at school and it felt like there was nothing I could do about it. My social worker suggested I go to Camp Ten Oaks and that moment changed my life.
I’ve now been to camp for three years in a row, but I remember not knowing what I signed up for that first year. I’m not normally an outdoors-y person and camp is, well, it’s quite rustic. I couldn’t believe it – not much electricity, outhouses, and never ending stairs!
After a few days though, none of that mattered. I was just having the best time ever.
For the first time I felt like I belonged. There are so many amazing people at camp. Ten Oaks was the first place I felt that nobody judged me. I can’t even put that feeling into words – it’s liberating – the best feeling in the world.
Every summer I’ve gone back to camp, it’s affected my life for the rest of the year. Because of Camp Ten Oaks, I can be more myself than I’ve ever been.
I want to thank everyone with my life who makes camp possible. The Ten Oaks Project has helped and changed me in a way nothing else could.
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Advent 2 - Affirming Peace
As we mark the second Sunday of Advent - PEACE, think of our present context of wars, conflict and struggle and how for many of us we turn to the peace that Jesus shared and taught us. How we greet each other on Sunday with the passing of the peace. A smile or a friendly wave to a friend or neighbour. The internal calmness we find in prayer or mindful practice. Yet, sadly, for many LGBTQ2, the struggle is real, constant and exhausting war of self-attrition, self-doubt and self-worth. Sometimes feeling at peace with ourselves and at peace with ourselves as Christian and for many rarely feeling completely at peace with both. Society and organized religion have made this difficult for many.
“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be”
What can one do to help bring peace? Social and justice advocacy is empowering for many and a very important step to ensure many silent voices are heard. Currently in Ontario the progress made by the LGBTQ2 communities is called into question. Many need the silent voices to be spoken. A few suggestions to make your voice heard and bring peace:
Participate in the Ministry of Education Consultation: Education in Ontario (deadline December 15, 2018): https://www.ontario.ca/page/for-the-parents
Write to your Member of Parliament – for Kanata-Carleton: https://www.ola.org/en/members/all/merrilee-fullerton
Support mental health initiatives: https://cmha.ca/
Consider volunteering or a financial donation to an LGBTQ2-friendly charity.
KUC can be a powerful voice and be a light of peace just as Jesus shared with us and what so many during this Advent season long for.
“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be”
What can one do to help bring peace? Social and justice advocacy is empowering for many and a very important step to ensure many silent voices are heard. Currently in Ontario the progress made by the LGBTQ2 communities is called into question. Many need the silent voices to be spoken. A few suggestions to make your voice heard and bring peace:
Participate in the Ministry of Education Consultation: Education in Ontario (deadline December 15, 2018): https://www.ontario.ca/page/for-the-parents
Write to your Member of Parliament – for Kanata-Carleton: https://www.ola.org/en/members/all/merrilee-fullerton
Support mental health initiatives: https://cmha.ca/
Consider volunteering or a financial donation to an LGBTQ2-friendly charity.
KUC can be a powerful voice and be a light of peace just as Jesus shared with us and what so many during this Advent season long for.
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Advent 1- Affirming Hope
Being gay, lesbian, bisexual of transgender is illegal in 80 countries in the world. Ten of these countries have the death penalty for homosexuality.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), refugees are displaced persons who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country."
In 1991, Canada became the first country in the world to grant refugee status due to persecution based on sexual orientation. In 1993, the parameters of "belonging to a specific social group" were defined to explicitly accept LGBT/GSM refugees. Our country is able to give HOPE to people who are not accepted as “good citizen” in much of the rest of the world.
Earlier this year, we watched as a couple, who had hoped to find refuge in a Western Country, were separated by authorities in Turkey because one of the men needed medical care and the Turkish government didn’t recognize them as a family. Members of the Vancouver Rainbow Refugee Group were able to sponsor them into Canada, in September.
In Ottawa, I found some groups sponsoring LGBTQ refugees. Capital Rainbow Refuge, Rainbow New Beginnings, and Northern Lights Refuge are all doing work in the Ottawa area to bring refugees to the capital area. You can find information about them on Facebook.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), refugees are displaced persons who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country."
In 1991, Canada became the first country in the world to grant refugee status due to persecution based on sexual orientation. In 1993, the parameters of "belonging to a specific social group" were defined to explicitly accept LGBT/GSM refugees. Our country is able to give HOPE to people who are not accepted as “good citizen” in much of the rest of the world.
Earlier this year, we watched as a couple, who had hoped to find refuge in a Western Country, were separated by authorities in Turkey because one of the men needed medical care and the Turkish government didn’t recognize them as a family. Members of the Vancouver Rainbow Refugee Group were able to sponsor them into Canada, in September.
In Ottawa, I found some groups sponsoring LGBTQ refugees. Capital Rainbow Refuge, Rainbow New Beginnings, and Northern Lights Refuge are all doing work in the Ottawa area to bring refugees to the capital area. You can find information about them on Facebook.
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