From Words to Practice: Living Into the 2S and LGBTQIA+ Apology
June 9, 2026 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET
view the start times in each of Canada's time zones
In this United in Learning online session, participants will reflect on the 2S and LGBTQIA+ apology, learn from communities already living into it, and explore practical ways to embody the apology in worship, community life, and public witness. You will hear from members of the Interim Working Group on the apology animation, share ideas with others across the church, and leave with concrete, context‑appropriate next steps for your own ministry or community.
This learning experience is grounded in an important moment in the life of the church. In August 2025, at the 45th General Council Executive (GCE), The United Church of Canada issued an apology to 2S and LGBTQIA+ communities that named harm, acknowledged responsibility, and called the church into a different future. Whether you are encountering the apology for the first time, discerning what it asks of you, or already taking action, this session offers space for clarity, connection, and bold discipleship as we continue our tradition of being a justice‑seeking church.
Objectives
- Understanding the apology:
- What was said, why it matters, and the commitments it represents
- Interpreting the invitation:
- What it means to “live into” the apology in real, local contexts Learning from practice:
Stories from communities already engaging this work, what is emerging, what is possible
- Discerning next steps:
Space for reflection, conversation, and identifying actionable steps within your own context
Registration
As part of registration, you will be asked a few brief questions about your community’s current engagement. This will help shape the conversation and ensure the session is relevant and responsive to participants.
Note on Participation
This webinar is part of a broader commitment to ongoing learning, accountability, and transformation. Participants are encouraged to come with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to engage both individually and collectively.
Speakers
Ruth Noble has been in The United Church of Canada since birth. She followed in her father’s footsteps and became a minister 28 years ago. As the Executive Director of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, Ruth has the privilege of working with awesome staff and volunteers to create a world of inclusion and safety for those on the margins. Ruth also spends time writing Queer Historical Fiction.
Rev. Keith Murray (they/them) is an artist called to ministry, and a minister called to creativity. They serve as Minister of Outreach and Creative Partnerships at Knox United Church in the heart of downtown Calgary, in Treaty 7. Keith’s work at Knox focuses on building creative relationships, civic and artistic partnerships, and exploring new forms of ministry at the intersection of spirituality, justice, community, the arts, and an ethic of care-for-all.
