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November 2 Worship Video

Join us following worship in the Van Roon Community Hall for the He/SheBrews Café.

• Join us this Sunday, November 2 as we welcome the Rev. Dr. Mac Watts, former Dean of Theology at the University of Winnipeg, as our guest preacher on the occasion of the 1700^th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

• Join us Sunday, November 9 for our annual Remembrance Sunday service which will include an Act of Remembrance and moment of silence.

• Hurricane Melissa Emergency Response – In horror we have witnessed the devastation that came upon Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and other Caribbean islands this week. While we have at times responded to such emergencies through the United Church of Canada or the Canadian FoodGrains Bank, we are recommending that the most immediate and direct response to Melissa at this time is through the Canadian Red Cross. For more information please visit: https://www.redcross.ca/

• Affirming Ministry Task Group Education Event – Join us this Tuesday, November 4 at 7:00 for an evening of listening and conversation on our journey towards becoming an Affirming Ministry. Our special guest that night will be Kai Solomon, a trans man who has aided other communities in exploring this process. Kai will be in dialogue with Michael Wilson as he shares his personal story and we discuss why a public expression of acceptance is of such value for a church that aspires to welcome all into their midst.

• A Place At The Table – The 2026 Stewardship Campaign -Third quarter statements and printed copies of our 2026 Stewardship Campaign materials are available at the church in addressed envelopes. We are thankful that we can turn to our community and ask for financial support. Together we make a difference in hundreds of lives as we have done for over a century. Feel free to contact us with any questions. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

Dear Friends

Welcome to worship for Sunday, November 2, 2025.

We are now a year into the process we are following to become an Affirming Congregation. Or put another way, a year into our discernment of whether Charleswood United Church should join Affirm United. Affirm United is an association of United Church congregations who make it a priority to have a consciousness about welcoming, accepting, and supporting the whole people of God into our community.

Without a doubt this has an emphasis on, and began with, churches being welcoming of those of differing sexual orientation or gender identities (sometimes finding expression as LBGTQ2S+) but has grown to include a broader understanding of affirming anyone whose ‘place at the table’ has been historically compromised or made difficult. Becoming Affirming is a commitment to continue this process of broadening and of being public and explicit in our commitment to acceptance for one and all.

The process began a year ago with an invitation for anyone of the congregation who wished to participate in making this happen. It is not likely to go anywhere if we, as a community, are not willing to engage in the question. To my delight upwards of 12 people have actively participating in our Affirming Ministry Task Group with many more expressing support and attending events. Our first educational event in March celebrating PIE Day (public, intentional, explicit) was attended by nearly 40 members and I think it is fair to say that the Task Group was pleasantly surprised by the openness and support that was expressed that day.

This was followed by Charleswood’s participation in this year’s Pride Parade and a group visit to an exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights called “Love in a Dangerous Time”. Our next event is this coming Tuesday, November 4 when I will be in conversation with a trans man, Kai Solomon, who has offered to share his story and answer questions that can only be answered by someone who has experienced the suspicion and rejection that comes too easily to some in society. This conversation is intended to help us as a congregation further discern if joining Affirm United is right for us.

A small milestone was passed this week as our Task Group submitted a proposed Vision Statement to the national body for feedback, an important step in the process. The response we received was positive and indicated that we are on the right path. Here is what we said:

As sure as we celebrate the gifts of grace given to us at table and font, Charleswood United Church seeks to be gracious in welcoming, affirming, and supportive of all who come into our community.

This may include, but is not limited to, people of differing ethnicity, culture, language, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability, intellectual capacity, mental health, or economic circumstance. 

As a church called by God, witnessing to the love of Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we seek to demonstrate publicly and in our communal life that this is a place where all are welcome and no one is turned away.

At Charleswood everyone has a place at the table.

There is work yet to do. We will not rush the process. There will be opportunity for feedback, questions, and responses from Council and congregation before we take the final steps. Our desire is to work towards a congregational consensus in order that when the day comes we may all celebrate together. If you have questions about the Vision Statement or the Affirming process, please reach out and let me know. The conversation continues.

Grace and peace,

Michael

• For news and events, please have a look at Life & Work on our website: Life and Work

• Share the service with friends by forwarding this email or using this link: https://youtu.be/2v7kSwsdPT8  

• Read this week’s scripture lesson here: Matthew 16:13-20

• Did you know you can support this ministry by e-transfer, automatic withdrawal (PAR), and gifted securities, in addition to weekly or monthly cheques? For Offering Information please visit: https://charleswoodunited.org/support/   Thank you for your generous support.