Pacific Mountain Regional Council of The United Church of Canada is deeply concerned by the recent political gathering held at a United Church-owned building in Penticton. The building at 696 Main Street is no longer home to an active United Church community of faith.
We recognize the hurt, disappointment, and concern this has caused, particularly among members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous peoples, and others who have looked to the United Church as a place of welcome, inclusion, and belonging. We want to be clear that the gathering and the views expressed do not represent an endorsement by Pacific Mountain Regional Council, Oasis United Church, or The United Church of Canada.
As an Affirming Ministry, Pacific Mountain Regional Council is committed to following Jesus’ example of radical love, inclusion, justice, and compassion. We believe that every person is a beloved child of God, deserving of dignity, respect, and belonging. These are not simply aspirations. They are commitments that shape how we seek to live out our faith in the world. Our commitment to reconciliation is equally fundamental to who we are as a church. The United Church has acknowledged its role in colonization and the residential school system, and has committed itself to the ongoing work of truth-telling, repentance, justice, and reconciliation. We recognize the profound harm caused by the residential school system and the importance of honouring the experiences and testimony of Survivors. We are committed to building relationships of respect and accountability with Indigenous peoples, including the Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose traditional territory this gathering took place. We recognize that reconciliation requires more than words. It calls us to listen, to learn, and to act in ways that honour the truth of our shared history and our responsibilities to one another.
The booking for this event was made by our booking team without a full understanding of the organization involved or the nature of the gathering. We recognize that this should not have happened, and we take responsibility for the oversight. We are deeply sorry for the hurt and confusion this has caused, particularly for those who have looked to the United Church as a place of safety, welcome, and belonging. This booking is against our current rental policies to not hold events which are in opposition to our values. We are reviewing our rental practices and approval processes to ensure that future bookings are screened with greater intentionality and that the use of our properties continue to reflect the commitments and values of The United Church of Canada. We will work to establish clear and consistent processes that support responsible use of our properties and reflect our obligations as a charitable organization.
As a church, we do not endorse or speak against political parties or candidates. At the same time, our commitment to non-partisanship does not mean remaining silent about the values that are central to our faith. We will continue to speak and act in support of human dignity, inclusion, justice, and reconciliation.
We are particularly mindful of the impact this has had on Oasis United Church and the relationships of trust they have worked so hard to build within the Penticton community. We are grateful for their faithful ministry and recognize that our actions have made their work more difficult. We are committed to supporting them as they continue to nurture relationships of welcome, inclusion, and reconciliation.
Our calling is not simply to speak of love, justice, and reconciliation, but to live these commitments faithfully through our actions. We know that this work is ongoing, and we remain committed to it.