Chalmers News

When the World Feels Heavy, and Community Feels Lighter.

Join us Sunday evening for prayer, reflection, and the comfort of gathering together. All Welcome.

For more information: minister@chalmersunitedchurch.com

or 613-546-3263 ext. 226

Words from the Task Group

As the authors who were tasked with writing this apology, we have held the deep challenges and complexities of speaking on behalf of the church. We know that each of you carry your own stories and experiences; you have come to understand the United Church through relationships with communities of faith, clergy, staff, and fellow United Church members.

We recognize that each person has their unique needs when it comes to healing and that for some, this apology arrives too late and for others, this apology arrives ahead of healing actions by the church that have been longed for.

We offer this apology not because we’re convinced we have everything figured out but because we refuse to let fear keep us silent, nor do we wish for perfectionism to overtake the necessary task of publicly and explicitly addressing the legacy of 2S and LGBTQIA+ oppression and discrimination in The United Church of Canada.

We hope that where the apology feels inadequate, that these further resources may provide more depth, nuance, and healing as you process this apology.

Sincerely,
The Apology Task Group:
Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai (acting Chair), Rev. Aaron Miechkota, Christine Dolson, Frederick Monteith and Rev. Tricia Gerhard
February 2025

Recognizing the need for apologies to be lived into with action, The United Church of Canada offers the following statement in response to the findings of Iridesce: The Living Apology Project and the 2011 National LGBT Consultation.

God tends the universe,
mending the broken and reconciling the estranged.
God enlivens the universe,
guiding all things toward harmony with their Source.

The church has not always lived up to its vision. It requires the Spirit to reorient it,
helping it to live an emerging faith while honouring tradition, 
challenging it to live by grace rather than entitlement,
for we are called to be a blessing to the earth.

— A Song of Faith

To all 2S and LGBTQIA+ individuals who currently are, or have previously been connected with The United Church of Canada,

We, The United Church of Canada, express our deepest apologies to all those who have experienced homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia within The United Church of Canada. This has at times looked like overt actions such as: loss of income, harassment, being denied access to church leadership, and threats to personal safety. The church should be a place of sanctuary and belonging for all people. You deserve a church that reflects God’s unconditional and abiding love.

Homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia have also been present in the times when we remained silent or ignorant instead of actively ensuring policies of inclusion and welcome were being lived out in communities of faith, conferences, presbyteries, regions, other forms of ministry, and at the national level of the church. We recognize that 2S and LGBTQIA+ members of The United Church of Canada have experienced feelings of abandonment when feeling unsafe or unable to access support and care, navigating homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic church environments.

We lament the ways in which the church has failed you, and that homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia have hurt not only individuals but loved ones as well, including friends, families, and fellow siblings in Christ. The cost of 2S and LGBTQIA+ oppression in our churches is not just personal; having harmed, excluded, and denied 2S and LGBTQIA+ people, it has been to the detriment of the church. We acknowledge that homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia continue to impact people in the United Church today and we offer this apology with an awareness of both past and present harms and failings.

Moving forward, we recognize that change is required in the hearts and minds throughout The United Church of Canada and also through actions taken at an institutional level. We offer this apology with awareness of the many ways in which healing from homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia is needed within our church. We hope that you will receive this apology as only one part in a larger story of the work of the church and that you will turn to prayer, worship, and fellowship as you receive these words.

Accountability

In response to all that we have learned, and are continuing to learn, we humbly commit ourselves to upholding and fulfilling the recommendations of the “Living Apology into Action” statement issued by the Iridesce Working Group to the General Secretary of the UCC in February of 2023.

Appendix

Over the past decade the Church has engaged in intentional listening processes to better understand the experiences of 2S and LGBTQIA+ people within The United Church of Canada. We have engaged in prayer, reflection, art, listening, community building, and more through a National GLBTT Consultation (2011) and Iridesce: The Living Apology Project (2017—2019) and the Living Apology into Action Working Group (2023). We are grateful for each story that has been shared and hold with sadness the large reality that there are still many stories of harm left untold. Please consult the following resources to learn more about the different projects and consultations which have helped shape the apology.

1. GLBTT Consultation Report
2. Iridesce: Living Apology Project
3. “Living Apology into Action,” Iridesce Working Group to the General Secretary of the UCC in February of 2023.
4. A Timeline of 2S & LGBTQIA+ history in The United Church of Canada

SUMMER SERVICES 2025
at 10am
We will be worshiping with our neighbours at different locations throughout the summer;
services begin at 10:00 am.
Rev. Elizabeth and Rev. Catherine will take turns preaching on the Lectionary Gospel readings from Luke.
July 6
at Sydenham Street United
82 Sydenham St.
with Rev. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene
Strawberry Social after the service
July 13
at Sydenham Street United
with Rev. Catherine Elsdon
July 20 & 27
Faith United at The Normandy Retirement Home, 630 MacLean Ct. (park on street or in nearby plaza) with Rev. Catherine Elsdon
Aug. 3
at Chalmers United 211 Barrie St
with Rev. Catherine Elsdon
Aug. 10
at Chalmers United
with Rev. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene
Aug. 17 (at 10:30am)
Ecumenical service. Location: Macdonald Park, 9 King St. E. (the Newlands Pavilion) (rain or shine, bring your lawn chair and picnic lunch)
Aug. 24
at Chalmers United
with Rev. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene
Aug 31
at Sydenham Street United
with Rev. Catherine Elsdon

Services at Chalmers or Sydenham Street United Churches will be available on their respective YouTube channels.

The Blessing Box Pantry Program
Donations for the outdoor pantry are always happily accepted!
Useful Items:
• laundry pods
• individually wrapped snacks, sweets or gum
• bottles of water
• rolls of toilet paper

Thank you to all for all your support to the pantry and to the Tuesday Benevolent Program.
It can only happen with your participation.
The people we serve are so appreciative!

Flowers in the Sanctuary

If you wish to place flowers in the sanctuary or in memory of a loved one, or in celebration of a life event, please email: bulletin@chalmersunitedchurch.com or call the office 613 546 3263 x 222 and we will get back to you for your details and to make the arrangements. The cost is $75 and is tax receiptable.

Chalmers’ Pastoral Care
If you or someone you know is in need of Pastoral Care support, please contact:
Rev. Elizabeth Guillaume-Koene: email minister@chalmersunitedchurch.com or call 905-410-2461
or speak to a member of the Pastoral Care Team: Mike Hartlin, Marjorie Mason, Ruth Tracy, Mary Davis Little, Heather Faris, Linda Steinberg,
or contact the office: office@chalmersunitedchurch.com.
If you are moving, please notify the office by email: office@chalmersunitedchurch.com
or by phone 613-546-3263 ext. 222

Monthly Phone Calls to Keep in Touch
If you are willing to touch base with three to five people once a month by phone, it would be deeply appreciated. To help please call Heather. 613 484 2141

We have been preparing 200 Warm Winter Wear Packs for for the colder weather, later in 205. The packs will contain of socks, toques, mitts/gloves, toiletries, hot packs, and treats to be assembled in September and distributed to men and women who come for assistance to the Benevolent Program.

Donations are needed to finish off the purchases.

Did you Know?

This Sunday’s advent reader is Jane MacEwen. She is a member of the Inreach Circle which is concerned with supporting ideas that help the Chalmers congregation to be connected.
For example, they recently created the Gentle Walking Group that has spent the last few months exploring beautiful corners of Kingston. Another idea is the upcoming potluck Christmas dinner on December 23rd.

Please join the next circle to help connect to your congregation.

United Marketplace Tour Nov 19 10-2

Book Table

If you are done with some of your current, favourite novels, donations are gladly accepted at church house, Tues – Thurs between 11 and 4pm

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Cookie Table

Bakers are baking!

Buyers now needed!

Plastic bins of Christmas cookies, ready for the freezer, will be for sale at the bazaar. To get your cookies come on the 19th!  If you are not able to be there but want cookies call Joan at 613-545-1099.

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Requesting Donations for the Nearly New Table

Do you need a ‘new home’ for once loved ‘treasures’?

This is your opportunity to have someone else enjoy what has given you pleasure in the past! Donate your ‘tenderly used’ jewelry, trinkets or memorabilia to the Nearly New Table for Chalmers’ bazaar!

Contact Rosalie – dspooner@cogeco.ca to arrange pick up or drop off.

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Gourmet Gifts to Go Mixes

Thanks to the worker bees at our very successful session last Sunday, we will be selling yummy mixes for different soups, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, hot chocolate and mug cakes. Come to MacCallum Hall after church to see the jars and maybe even some samples!

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Craft Table There is still a little time to donate a piece of your creativeness to this table at our bazaar! We would be pleased to accept it in MacCallum Hall Friday, Nov. 18^th 10:00 am – noon. Contact Jean Sills

Coats for the Community
Do you have warm winter coat that you haven’t worn lately, is too big or too small,  is “gently used”, in your basement or storage unit? At the back of your closet?

Two Coat Drives:

1. The United Way’s third annual Coats for Community drive is underway!
Coats must be washable only; no leather or heavy wool.
The donated coats will be distributed through agencies serving people in
vulnerable circumstances. You may drop off your coat at the following Kingston
locations:

• United Way KFL&A Office:
417 Bagot Street
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm
• Calvin Park Branch Library
88 Wright Crescent
Mon-Thu 9: 00am to 8:00pm; Fri-Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm
• Central Branch Library
130 Johnson Street
Mon-Thu 9:00am to 8:00pm; Fri-Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm; Sun 1:00 to 5:00pm
• Isabel Turner Library
935 Gardiners Road
Mon-Thu 9:00am to 8:00pm; Fri-Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm; Sun 1:00 to 5:00pm
• City Hall
216 Ontario Street
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm

2. St Mary’s Cathedral Coat Drive
St Mary’s Parish Centre 260 Brock St.
Coat Drop Off: Mon – Fri 12pm to 3pm
Starting: Oct 28
Coat Pick up: Mon – Fri 1pm – 3pm
From: Nov 15 – Dec 23 and Jan 2 – 14