Affirming and Belonging: A 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusive Space

Rosedale United Church is a hopeful and inclusive community, rooted in the teachings of Jesus and guided by the Spirit that moves through us all. As part of the United Church of Canada, we share a commitment to justice, compassion, and inclusion.

We believe that being affirming means more than simply being welcoming, it means being intentional, visible, and active in our support for LGBTQ2S+ people and their families. We honour the fullness of each person’s identity, and we celebrate diversity as a gift from God.

Some churches have been a source of pain and exclusion for LGBTQ2S+ people. At Rosedale United, we strive to be a sanctuary of healing, belonging, and celebration. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we continue to grow as a community committed to learning, listening, and living out the values of love and justice.

• All people are welcome to participate in all parts of congregational life. LGBTQ2S+ Persons are welcome to be a part of communion, baptisms, weddings, and leadership roles in the church.
• Gender-neutral washrooms are available to all.
• Our wedding policy includes same-sex/ same-gender weddings, and we use the term "spouse" instead of "husband/wife" on documents.
• We talk about God with masculine, feminine, or neutral pronouns.
• Spiritual care from our ministers embraces every identity and family structure.
• Children's lessons and sermons do not enforce gender norms (i.e. children do not play with "boy toys" or "girl toys," but with whatever they wish to play with).
• Pronoun options are available for nametags.
• We have zero-tolerance for harassment, mistreatment, or bullying, including based on one's identity or orientation.

We recognize that gender is diverse and deeply personal. While some people identify with the gender they were assigned at birth, others may identify with a different gender—or none at all. That diversity is something we honour.

At Rosedale United Church, we strive to use the pronouns people choose for themselves. Whether someone uses she, he, they, or another pronoun, we understand that using someone’s correct pronouns is a simple and powerful way to affirm their identity and ensure they feel included. It may take some practice, but it is part of our commitment to creating a community of belonging.

For example, we might say, “This is their phone, I should return it to them,” or, “They are leading the children downstairs for the Children’s Lesson.”

If you have questions about pronouns or how we can support you or your family, please reach out to our ministry team. We’re here to walk this journey with you.