Affirming Ministry

Actions & Connections

Celebrate P.I.E. Day 2025!

Our National Affirming Day, PIE Day is coming up on March 14th... are you ready to celebrate and publicly, intentionally and explicitly affirm the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?
PMR Affirming Ministry invites you to celebrate PIE Day with us through our region-wide screenings of the documentary Mama Bears. Find a screening near you, or tune in with us on May 21st as we engage in a region-wide virtual screening leading into our 2025 Annual General Meeting in Nanaimo, BC. These screenings and discussions tie in with our "PIE to Pride" theme this year where we Publicly, Intentionally, and Explicitly affirm that Trans is Sacred.
MAMA BEARS is the story of women who have allowed nearly every aspect of their lives to be completely reshaped by love. Although they may have grown up as fundamentalist, evangelical Christians, mama bears are willing to risk losing friends, family, and faith communities to keep their children safe—even if it challenges their belief systems and rips their worlds apart. Watch the trailer for a sneak peek at the film .More information about the documentary can be found here, and the film discussion guide can be found here.
Given the political and social climate of increasing transphobia in BC, Alberta, across Canada and in the United States, a focus on Trans is Sacred is a call to communities of faith in the Pacific Mountain Region and beyond to use our voices and networks to advocate for human rights protections for the Trans and Queer community.

Mama Bears Screenings

Prince George - March 12, 7:00 pm
Trinity United Church Knox Performance Centre Heritage Hall- 1448 5th Ave

Burnaby - March 14, 7:00 pm
Jubilee United Church- 6000 Sussex Ave

Fort St James - March 14, 6:30 pm
Ft St James United Church- 222 2nd Ave W

Vancouver - March 14, 7:00 pm
Shaughnessy United Church- 1550 W 33rd Ave

Whitehorse - March 14, 7:00 pm
Whitehorse United Church- 601 Main St.

Nelson - March 15, 7:00 pm
Nelson United Church- 602 Silica St

Kelowna - March 16, 11:30 am
Central Okanagan United Church- 721 Bernard Ave

Vancouver - March 16, 12:30 pm
Trinity Grace United Church- 803 East 16th Ave

Region-Wide Virtual Screening - May 21st, 6:00 pm PT

Celebrating and Sharing a Belonging that Flourishes

You're invited to be connected to the 2SLGBTQAi+ Affirming-related ministry, work, and life in Pacific Mountain Regional Council!

  • Submit your United Church-based Affirming event or announcement to the regional council newsletter, 'Community Connections'! Complete the online submission form here: https://form.jotform.com/PMR-UCC/cc-submissions
  • Sign up to Pacific Mountain Newsletters to receive Affirming-related news! Tick the 2SLGBTQAi+ AFFIRMING MINISTRY box on the sign up form, then click Subscribe.
  • Visit the topic pages in the Affirming Ministry menu.
  • Scroll through the Recent News section below to see what Affirming Ministry has been up to, and for important action and invitations.

Pacific Mountain Regional Council Affirming Ministry Statement (June 2021)

"Pacific Mountain Regional Council of The United Church of Canada acknowledges and laments that the Church, its traditions and teachings have caused great harm to members of the 2SLGBTQAiP+ communities.

By contrast, we believe that the PMRC is called to follow Jesus’ wisdom in the way of a radically inclusive love. We do this as evidence of our belief that all people are unconditionally loved by Creator whose divine image we reflect.

The PMRC will live out its ministry by intentionally creating safer spaces of belonging with members of the 2SLGBTQAIP+ communities and their families.

We affirm that someone’s gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation is sacred, will be celebrated, and will not be a barrier towards full participation. We affirm that people will be fully included in all aspects of The Region’s life, leadership, and ministry without limitation based on identity, expression or orientation.

We commit ourselves to the intersectionality that living into becoming an Affirming Ministry will require. Together we will use tangible resources to embody a ministry that is public, intentional and explicit of our call to live out these values, and that, even as we make mistakes, we commit to continually learning and evolving."

Recent News: Affirming Ministry

This Is Your Invitation To This 3 Day Conference Working Toward Living And Being An Anti-Racist Church

February 9, 2024

Dear Friends, This is a powerful event in partnership with First Third Ministry, LeaderSHIFT, the Pacific Mountain Region Council Justice Ministry Network, the Vancouver School […]

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United Against Hate ~ Trans Youth Are Sacred

February 5, 2024

A message from Pam Rocker, Director Affirming Connections Transgender/Gender Expansive Resources are here (scroll to the section): AffirmingConnections.com/resources Pacific Mountain region shares this message, with […]

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Imagine Children’s Retreat 2024 ~ All-Genders Accommodation

January 24, 2024

Friends across the Region, One of the most joyful offerings from our First Third Ministry team is open for registration! These retreats are such a […]

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Pacific Mountain’s Town Hall Gathering ~ The First of 2024!

January 8, 2024

Dear friends, Thank you for your patience with the late hour of this announcement, and as the regional office and team have been equipping new […]

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Executive Minister Announcement of New Indigenous Minister, Justice Minister, Regional Minister Lower Mainland Staff

November 22, 2023

Friends, I am very pleased to share with you the news of these Pacific Mountain Regional Council Staff Appointments! Shauna Getz, Regional Minister Lower Mainland (January […]

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URGENT NOTICE: Protect Trans Kids! Protect Non-Binary Kids!

September 18, 2023

Friends across Pacific Mountain region, Please extend your prayers and gratitude to Calgary-based, Affirming Connections for their unwavering commitment to providing education, resources, and beams […]

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The Seven Pride Doors – at your church, next?

August 30, 2023

Friends, We received this note from Minister of Connections & Social Justice at Shaughnessy Heights United, We would like to offer the use of the […]

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Affirming & Process Information for the PMRC

February 17, 2021

Welcome!  Here you’ll find information about the Affirming process work that the PMRC Regional Council is engaging in. There are a few different kinds of […]

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Queer Virtue Lenten Study Series – 2 Live Author Engagements, 5 Study Sessions

February 3, 2021

Your Regional Council Affirming Committee invites you to enter the work and faithful practice of exploring what it means to be a church of belonging. It’s co-hosted by Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regional Councils. All ages and demographics, identities and sexualities welcome! This event starts soon (Feb 10!) with the first *LIVE* session with ‘Queer Virtue’ book & study guide author, LIz Edman. FREE – register for the Zoom links.

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