IRIDESCE 
THE LIVING APOLOGY PROJECT

IN 1988, NATION AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS MEDIA watched and reported on the proceedings, debate and vote of The United Church of Canada. At that time, we were wrestling with questions around gay and lesbian membership and ministry in our communities of faith.

 

IN MAY OF 1988, four hundred and fifty-five persons and groups of the United Church and beyond pooled their resources to purchase a double-page advertisement in The Observer Magazine. The statement read, "We believe that, as a church, we have erected barriers which have caused the exclusion of many people. In their voices, we hear God's summons to repent. We need to change, to embrace the ministries, ordered and lay, of all who respond faithfully to God's call, and who seek to live in relationships of love and trust. We recall our heritage as a united and uniting church."(*)

 

"The present discussion about the ordination and commissioning of gay and lesbian people... leads us to consider what kind of church we are and are called to be."
~ 1988 Statement to the Church

 

But 1988 wasn't the first time that United Church members spoke publicly and explicitly about welcoming and affirming homosexuals (as the LGBTQ community was then called back then). In 1974, the Toronto Star newspaper reported that "Rev. Bruce McLeod, moderator of the United Church of Canada, said in an interview that Christians should not prejudge homosexuals. 'Some of the great people in the earth's history from Michelangelo on have been homosexuals. We would all be poorer without them,' McLeod said." (Toronto Star, Saturday ed., 9 March 1974, p. H4).

 

Considering the post-1988 United Church, how do we remember this these times in our history? Were you one of the 455 who signed the statement for the Observer? What was the back-story to such an action? What were the hopes, fears and community dynamics we lived through in 1988 concerning gay and lesbian people in membership and ministry? How did our resulting 1988 vote play out (or not play out) in our churches back then and over the last 30 years? These are the questions the Iridesce project is posing... to you. 

 

WE HAVE COLLECTED a variety of television reports and newspaper coverage of our 1988 vote. (And welcome more, if you have them.) It is fascinating to look back and place ourselves in those times. You can find all of these links on the News page of our website. 

 

Will you consider sharing your memories? That is what the Iridesce project is all about. Remembering, lamenting and sharing together... so we can challenge ourselves—as our 1988 fore-friends did before us—to "consider what kind of church we are and are called to be." Please be in touch at livingapology@gmail.com

 

~ Aaron Miechkota, 
Iridesce Project Coordinator

 

 (*)See the full statement and more 1988 news links, on the News page of our website, or click here. 

STORIES & CONTRIBUTIONS

 

The story made me remember what my father said about ministers who were gay even before 1988 and in ministry with a congregation who did not know they were gay. The congregation was happy with their minister for years. However, once the minister was open and honest about being gay...

 
Keep reading
 

Dear United Church, As a person who identifies as part of the LGBT community, I want you to know how much I appreciate the efforts taken to becoming an inclusive church. That said, the practice doesn’t always...

 

 
Keep reading
 

I was there in 1988 and my first thought was, “Do we really have to open this can of worms?” I believed that it was not an issue that impacted enough people that it required a formal stand by any church. I was aware...

 
Keep reading
 

Confusion about how to relate... 

 

I was there in 1988 and I remember how  fearful people were about the change. People looked to their ministers as role models. How would they relate to a gay or lesbian minister?

 
Keep reading

ON THE IRIDESCE WEBSITE

HISTORY  •  STORIES  •  SPIRITUALITY & WORSHIP  •  THEOLOGY • EVENTS  •  RESOURCES  •  NEWS

What do YOU think?

Is this how 1988 felt?

We found videos and articles from national news media covering the 1988 conversations, debates and the vote itself. Did they do a fair job? 

We'd be interested to have your thoughts and memories about the 1988 discussion, the vote, and the months & years that followed...

 

CLICK to WATCH

https://www.iridesce.ca/news

then respond to us by email us at livingapology@gmail.com

IRIDESCE UPDATE & VISION REPORT for 2019

YOU ARE WELCOME to download our PDF and read our update on the vision and direction of Iridesce for 2019. Click to download or visit: iridesce.ca/resources

 

PRAYER CIRCLE REQUEST

Seeking group and solo prayer enthusiasts to hold this project in prayer. We are hoping to have prayers from each Region of our church. To be involved, please email livingapology@gmail.com

 

THEATRE PLAY - SUPPORT INCLUDED

Want to perform the Iridesce Theatre Play with your church or youth group? We offer full support for amateur actors and directors to hold a meaningful theatre event in your community. Email livingapology@gmail.com for more information.

 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES with IRIDESCE

We are happy to be expanding our team this year, with contract positions for Local Facilitators. To read the full job descriptions, visit iridesce.ca/news or request the PDFs by email.

 

DONATE TO MISSION & SERVICE

If you would like to support this project and other worthy projects, please add to the collective pot by making a donation. Click here for more information on making a donation. Thank you!

 

 

SHARE YOUR STORY

 

What is your experience or perspective

about our 1988 vote and/or

about membership and ministry of LGBTQ2+ people

in the United Church?

Iridesce is called to be a faith-filled, collaborative journey. The whole church is invited to
participate. What is your experience, point-of-view, concern or gratitude around the 1988 vote or around LGBTQ2+ welcome in your community of faith, past or present? 
All points-of-view are important and will be gratefully received.

Please email our Coordinator Aaron at livingapology@gmail.com

 

Iridesce: The Living Apology Project is a joint project of Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble and
The United Church of Canada. It is funded by Mission & Service.

 

(Photo credits. Iridesce and Wix Commons.)

Share on social

Share on FacebookShare on X (Twitter)

This email was created with Wix.‌ Discover More