Knox Affirming Journey

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Knox United became an Affirming Ministry of the United Church in 2010, following a lengthy process of education, discussion and discernment. This involved discussion groups, using several UCC resources and listening to guest speakers who generously shared their life experiences. 

Since becoming affirming, Knox has continued to offer opportunities for building understanding and examining how we can continue to celebrate diversity, advocate for and support safer sacred spaces.

We have formed partnerships with other groups with similar interests in supporting LGBTQIA+ folks, including SERC (Sexuality Education Resource Centre), PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), the Brandon University LGBTTQ* Collective and the Trans Parent Support Group.

We have embraced some annual traditions including:

• participating in Brandon PRIDE activities each year through marching in the Pride parade, staffing a table in Pride in the Park and celebrating a Pride worship service
• working with community partners to plan and to host Trans Day of Remembrance services each year
• hosting a PIE Day Event (Public, Intentional and Explicit)
• celebrating our Affirming Anniversary Service every October.

Recently, members of Knox United Brandon have joined with other congregations in our area to form the “Affirm Cluster of Southwestern Manitoba”. We have had a few meetings and offered a workshop, attended by members of several congregations from our area and further afield in October, 2019. Our goal is to promote opportunities to come together for support and encouragement as more communities of faith explore how they might strengthen their commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

You can find pictures of some of our activities in the Photo Gallery under the “More” tab.