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IRIDESCE

OUR STORIES

29 years ago, The United Church of Canada did something historic when it voted not to exclude gay and lesbian people from eligibility for ministry and membership. This vote was celebrated by many and brought communities together. At the same time, this vote proved deeply divisive for some communities. Iridesce is asking people to reflect on this time and this decision throughout our history.

Collected here are reflections, stories and community art that reflects our time of personal and community remembering, acknowledging, lament and sharing around topics of LGBTQ2+ experience in The United Church of Canada, from the time of our 1988 vote, through 'the issue years', up until today. You are welcome and invited to share about your experiences too.

The voice of reason and of love

I would like to apologize to God

I would like to apologize to God

I am intersex, bisexual & transgender, and I would like to apologize to God. I grew up in another orthodox Christian community and we were wrong. I didn’t know who you were and I never spoke to You. My prayers were to an imposing totalitarian, phallic leadership and not to You. I hated them in Your name for so long, because they struck me with an iron rod they named after You. This was a blasphemy my mind is hardly able to grasp, and which language is even less qualified to c

Alice, your story was similar to mine

Alice, your story was similar to mine

In 1988, I remember the struggle, the anger, indifference of some. I wish for resolution, through ongoing dialogue, education, support of differing views. I’d like to tell GLBTQ Christians that they are welcome, accepted, and do not give up hope. I regret that I did not become more vocal, involved with the church community. I realize there was hurt on all sides. Alice, your story was similar to the decision and behaviour in my 1988 church. It brought out the former/old feeli

Oh Divine, A Prayer

Oh Divine, A Prayer

Oh Divine, help us to embrace our authentic selves, When the fears and constructs of our world pull us into smallness and self-doubt, give us the certainty that we are exactly as we need to be — an expression of you. Oh Divine, grant us the strength and courage to be the loud, strong voices that lead our community forward in to your unfolding beauty of wholeness, out of the bitter and broken. Oh Divine, gift us with the small and gentle voices that whisper to hearts in pain t

Dear Anne, Words rising up off the page…

Dear Anne, Words rising up off the page…

Dear Anne, I heard your story. I heard your pain. I heard your stunned amazement at the hate-filled words. Words rising up off the page in judgement, in condemnation, in abhorence. Words that chill the heart, and threaten, and curse. There are other words: Words of encouragement and acceptance, and love. Words of appreciation for the person you are, a graceful and grace-filled presence in a hurting, broken world. I pray you hear and believe those words: Words of affirmation a

A prayer for unconditional love

A prayer for unconditional love

Dear loving and gracious God, I thank you for your constant love and guidance as we continue to evolve as a caring, loving and affirming community in Christ’s Love for all people. We ask that you continue to give us strength, wisdom and the energy to do your good work… that is to support, teach and most importantly to Love each other unconditionally. Yours in Christ, Amen. By Kirsten Gracequist (Shared with permission. Photo credit: Wix.) #prayer #love #God #Affirming #suppor

A prayer for Iridesce and the United Church

A prayer for Iridesce and the United Church

I am bi — my faith has been strengthened by being in a same sex relationship. I have had to learn to honour love, be outside the norm, etc. This relationship has deepened me spiritually — I have had to be true to myself, my love and my values have been refined. Dear God, I pray that this IRIDESCE initiative can bring healing to those wounded by the United Church. May it prove an opening for our church to truly become Christ-like—embracing and loving all as God loves us. Help

Erika Offers a Compassionate Presence

Erika Offers a Compassionate Presence

I’d like to tell gay, lesbian or trans Christian people that I am offering my compassionate presence. Dear Anne, I read your story and I wanted to tell you that I was inspired. Crossing the boundary and making room for different people is not an easy job, but it is what Christians are for. Dear God, My strength shall be added up by you. All our concerns and hardships shall be lifted up to you. For Love from You will not fail. Please lead me and walk with me wherever I go. In

Trans Christians, we are praying for you

A response to Anne Squire, from David

A response to Anne Squire, from David

Anne Squire, I read your story and I want to tell you how sad I am that anyone who would call themselves Christian or a believer would wish bad things on others even if they do not agree with the other. I believe God answers prayers, but in no way do I believe our loving and kind God would answer a prayer of bad things on others. We need to pray for this person that God will help them. Yours in Christ, David [Shared with permission. Photo credit: Creative Commons.] #Moderator

Richard was a good friend

Richard was a good friend

I’d like to tell gay, lesbian or trans Christian people… Richard was a good friend, kind man and harmless, though he died of AIDS in 1986. What a tragedy for friends, families, students and parents since information of the disease was not really ready at the time. A friend, a colleague and model for others. You have the comfort of the community and love of all in spite of people holding back. Welcome to the fold. Come forth and be bold. Let God only be your judge Feel the saf

"When I Was Born", a prayer poem

"When I Was Born", a prayer poem

When I was born you saw me you held me you loved me As I grew you saw me you held me you loved me Every day you saw me you held me you loved me I was a part of your creation. * * * In the church I grew I learned I loved As a part of it I grew I learned I loved Every day I grew I learned I loved I was a part of the congregation. * * * When I met her I fell I rejoiced I loved As she smiled I fell I rejoiced I loved Every day I fell I rejoiced I loved I was a part of her creatio

A Prayer, by Dan Peace

A Prayer, by Dan Peace

God help us to be slow to chide and swift to bless To help us confess Our foolishness. God forgive us as we know not what we do When we injure the different few We injure you. God, give us the courage to roll back the stone, To stand with those who feel so alone. Make your justice, our own. God teach us to celebrate the fullness of creation To replace condemation with celebration. ~ by Dan Peace (Shared with permission of Dan) #prayer #compassion #forgiveness #celebration #Go

Robert's Prayer

Robert's Prayer

God How do we heal from homophobia, from stories where the goals and values of the institution are at odds with individual congregations or even wider groups? Is it ignorance and personal shadow that causes whole groups to not consider the wider values of the institution? Is it the relative isolation of smaller rural communitities that allow such views to continue? Is it the arrogance of big city intellectuals convinced they have the “right” answer for the whole institution?

A minister's Prayer of Lament

A minister's Prayer of Lament

O God, where were you when…? We distorted your message of love and mistakenly believed it to be narrow and scarce and meant only for those who look and act and smell and feel just the way we do… When we were challenged in our narrow interpretation of your grace and presence— and instead of opening more fully to your embrace, we entrenched ourselves in fear and dug deeper into our rigid positions. When we were offered more of your compassion and still found it hard to soften o

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