On Sunday, March 28, 2022, it was discovered that the Affirming Welcome Banner of Scarboro United Church, Calgary, had been defaced by someone writing the word “Repent” in large black letters on it. Congregational leaders covered the word with #HateHasNoHomeHere Posters, put in a printing order for new banners and also wrote these words:

There is a certain irony in someone defacing a Pride Sign on a United Church by writing on it the word “repent.” After the initial feelings of anger, fear and violation, the second round of emotion was that of Queer-Eyed bemusement.

After all, our being an Affirming Christian community is, by definition, an act of repentance. It has been our repentance, our turning toward God, that has opened our eyes and our hearts to one another. It leads us to acknowledge, lament and work to atone for how the Church, its traditions and teachings have caused harm to members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Being an Affirming congregation, Scarboro United Church takes on the responsibility of countering toxic theologies through a call to follow the wisdom of Jesus; to be radically inclusive by creating safer spaces of belonging and participation, and by Affirming that someone’s gender identity, expression and sexual orientation are sacred and celebrated. We believe all people are created in the image of God and deserve sanctuary and community in which to worship. 

This most recent experience is an important reminder that being an Affirming Congregation, an Affirming Region, an Affirming Denomination, an Affirming Society, does not happen by accident and should not be taken for granted. It requires intention, discernment, agency and action. So, we will commit to continuing to do this, by repenting and turning toward the Holy and letting Love lead us in this work.