Integrity Saskatoon

JIM KOMAR RECEIVES ACC COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Albert Community Centre hosted the Queen Community on Friday, June 9 for the Avenue Community Centre's Community Appreciation Awards. People who made outstanding contributions to the Queer Community were honoured. Along with a cash bar sumptuous snacks musical entertainment were provided. Integrity's JIM KOMAR was given a standing ovation s he received an award for community service.  See the citation after the following photos..

Jim Komar receiving the Community Service award

Jim Komar receives standing ovation as he receives the Community Service Award

Jim's upbringing gave him a strong spirituality which does not tolerate Christian discrimination.  He has used his faith to assert the value of gays and lesbians in the church and society. He has played leadership roles in 'Breaking the Silence', Integrity-Saskatoon, several church boards, letters to the editor of the Star Phoenix, lodging a complaint (one of 4) with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission about the anti gay activities of Bill Whatcott (now at the Supreme Court of Canada), and coordinating the successful passage of a motion in support of gay marriage at the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon (not implemented by the bishop). He continually volunteers his time and energy to many charitable and support causes where he provides gay positive input.

CHRONOLOGY OF ACTIVITIES:

1983-1985       Vestry St. Thomas Anglican Church, Montreal.

1986-1988       Editor of the newsletter for the Unitarian Church of Saskatoon.

2000-2003       Volunteer, Gay & Lesbian Health Services, Saskatoon

2001-2003       Volunteer with the United Church, Lifelines Bookstore, Knox United Church, Saskatoon.

2002                Co-presenter with Terry Bethune, “Spirituality for Gays”, Gay & Lesbian Health Services, Saskatoon.

2002-2003       Co-founder, “Coming out to God”, Grace Westminster United Church, Saskatoon, with an ecumenical team (Terry Bethune, Fr. Bill Bernard, Rev. Valerie Frum).

2002-2003       Delegate, Riverbend Presbytery, United Church of Canada, Saskatoon.

2002-2005       Numerous published letters to the editor of the Star Phoenix in support of gay marriage.

2002-2005       Council member. Grosvenor Park United Church, Saskatoon.

2002-2006       Hospital Visitor Volunteer, Palliative Care and Spiritual Care, Saskatoon Health Region.

2003                Charter member, Affirm United, Grosvenor Park United Church, Saskatoon.

2003-20121     Official complainant to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission regarding the anti-gay, anti-abortion activities of William Whatcott of Regina. The Commission decided against Mr. Whatcott and after various appeals the case is now before the Supreme Court of Canada. During the process Jim Komar asstered the rights of gays in several interviews by the media.

2004                Charter member, Integrity/Saskatoon, an Anglican Church support group for the gay and lesbian community in Saskatoon.

2004-2012       Secretary then Co-Chair Integrity-Saskatoon.

2004-2012       Member of PFLAG Canada, Saskatoon Chapter.

2005                Encouraged St. Andrews College United Church Seminary at the University of Saskatchewan to become an ‘Affirming Organization’ in the United Church. They became affirming in 2009.

2005                After 37 years with his partner John Irwin, they were married at Grosvenor Park United Church.

2006-2012       Author of several publications related to gay interests in Christianity: “One in Christ”,  “Lavender Footprints”, Jesus and the Centurion’s Houseboy”, “Brother Jesus”.

2007-2011       Promoted communication and joint support of Integrity Canada chapters across Canada.

2007-2012       Organizer and participant in Integrity/Saskatoon’s involvement in the Saskatoon Pride Parade and related religious events.

2008                Organizing group for “Together in Faith – One in Christ”, a public workshop sponsored by Integrity/Saskatoon.

2008                Wrote the accepted LGBTT welcoming statement for St. James Anglican Church in Saskatoon. The same statement was subsequently adopted by Grosvenor Park United Church in Saskatoon.

2008-2012       Conducted visitations with Anglican churches in Saskatoon to promote diversity and acceptance of GLBTTs.

2008-2012       Vestry member, St. James Anglican Church, Saskatoon.

2009-2012       Member of the Planning Committee, Breaking the Silence, Faculty of Education, University of Saskatchewan.

2009                Successful nomination of Scott Bryson,  Liberal Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants, Nova Scotia, as keynote speaker at the Breaking the Silence Conference.

2009                Organized and preached at an LGBTT ecumenical service at St. Andrews College, United Church of Canada, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.

2010                Gay advocate and sponsor of the motion in support of gay marriage at the Synod of the Anglican Church in Saskatoon. The motion narrowly passed but was not implemented by the Bishop.

2011                Jim’s partner of 43 year, John Irwin died of cancer.

2012                Leader for the program “Living the Questions”, a program for progressive questioning Christians, at St. James Anglican Church, Saskatoon.

2012                Organizer and prayer leader of an LGBTT ecumenical service at the Breaking the Silence Conference, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.

2012                Initiated a pen pal service for gay prisoners.