Grace Church Barrie

Happy United Church of Canada Anniversary and Happy Pride Month! We have so much to celebrate and be thankful for. June is a month of celebrations. Often it is a wedding month and there certainly are a lot of birthdays! And of course, there are graduations.

It was 97 years ago today, June 10, 1925, that the United Church of Canada was “born,” as the Toronto Star announced on its front page that day. And over the years, this United Church of ours has sought to reflect spiritual values even as it also sought to inform civil society and help nurture community values.

One of those important values for the United Church has been inclusiveness. That is not to say that we have always been good at it. Nor have we always understood just what inclusiveness might demand of us. But we have made a commitment and that is an important intentional first step.

In 2015, Grace became an Affirming congregation and in 2020 the youth group under the direction of Jeffrey Dale painted a rainbow sidewalk at our east door entrance. Becoming an affirming congregation meant that we made a commitment to celebrate diversity, be welcoming of all gender identifications and create safe space for all. Our attendance at the Pride Parade this weekend is one of those ways we seek to respect diversity and build community. Come join us at the Parade.

Rev. Susan 705.792.9267 home / 705.817.3402 cell

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