Love, Faith and Bold Action: Global Voices for 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion in the Church and Beyond
In the shifting socio-political climate where anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiments are rising and hard-won progress is being rolled back, people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are facing increasing harm and discrimination based on intersections of colonial histories, socio-economic inequities, and polarization fueled by anti-gender movements. Canada is not insulated from growing anti-queer and anti-trans sentiment.
But whilst this goes courageous UCC partners, 2SLGBTQIA+ people of faith and allies are leading transformative efforts to advance 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, including finding hope in radical inclusion, letting everyone know that no matter who they are, or where they are on life’s journey, there is a place of hope that will welcome them.
Join The United Church of Canada’s Love, Faith and Bold Action webinar speaker series for an opportunity to listen, learn, and act in solidarity with global leaders who are transforming faith spaces into spaces of inclusion and justice for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. This webinar invites you to step forward in love and faith—what does Bold Action look like for you?
Share hope, struggles and wins:
- Reflect on personal and communal hopes for a more inclusive church.
- Gain skills and insights to implement within your congregations
- Celebrate stories of progress and resilience from global faith leaders.
Faith Through Justice: - Share how faith calls us to radical love, justice and allyship that nurtures belonging.
- Hear from faith leaders worldwide about what bold action looks like in their contexts.
Act: - Speak up for justice, including advocating for protection and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and LGBTQIA+ refugees.
Check the course page for more details on each of the four sessions in the series!
Dates/Times
Session #1: May 6, 2025 at 7pm-8:30pm ET
Topic: Reimagining Exclusion to Embrace: Lessons from Japan's Ecumenical Movement
Speakers: Rev. Kaori Oshima is the General Secretary of the NCCJ and Acting General Secretary of its Education Department since the spring of 2024. She became the Director of the NCCJ Education Department in 1993 after working as a minister at a church of the UCCJ. As the Director of the Department, she is involved in compiling the History of Church Education—A Christian Education History Beginning with Sunday Schools (2007).
Rev. Reina Ueno is the Director of the Buraku Liberation Center, a ministry of the United Church of Christ in Japan. Reina has a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, and was ordained in 2016. She has served as senior pastor at Tsuchizawa Church in Iwate prefecture, northeast Japan, for 5 years.
|
Session #2: May 13, 2025 at 7pm-8:30pm ET
Topic: Building Inclusive Faith Spaces: Lessons from Latin America Ecumenical Movement
Speakers Mónica Treviño Álvarez is a young Mexican woman committed to gender equality within and outside of churches and passionate about building diverse churches and faith communities. She is the Regional Secretary of the World Student Christian Federation in Latin America and the Caribbean (FUMEC-LAC) and Global Program Coordinator. Monica holds a degree in Human Rights and Peace Management from the University of the Cloister of Sor Juana and a Master's degree in Critical Gender Studies and Theology from the Theological Community of Mexico.
Jhon Botia was born in Villavicencio, Colombia, in 1989, the third of four brothers. Son of Esperanza Miranda, woman of faith from whom he learned to love the Lord. He was trained in marketing and advertising, but his true calling has been to serve God and others. His life has been marked by a deep love for God, which has prompted him to bless those around him, especially those who have been rejected or marginalized because of their orientation, identity or gender expression.
|
Session #3: May 20, 2025 at 7pm-8:30pm ET
Topic: Welcoming with Open Arms : LGBTQIA+ Refugee Sponsorship
Speakers
Rev. Jim Tenford is a minister serving Harmony United Church in Regina, Saskatchewan and has been involved in refugee sponsorship for about 10 years.
Donald Workman is a volunteer with Hillhurst United Church in Calgary. Don has been the lead for the refugee sponsorship team at Hillhurst since 2016. During this time, Hillhurst has sponsored and welcomed 19 individuals from 6 different families to Calgary. This total includes three individuals who identify as LGTBQIA+. Don is married with three adult children. In December 2024 he retired from his job as a Telecommunications Engineer with The City of Calgary.
|
Session #4: May 27, 2025 at 7pm-8:30pm ET
Topic: Faith in Action - Transformative Hope and Spirit of Justice
Speakers
Check back for details |
