TO INTEGRITY/SASKATOON CONTACTS: Email addresses have been blocked to maintain their privacy. If you do not wish to receive notices from Integrity/Saskatoon, just REPLY stating your wish.
The executive of Integrity/Saskatoon met Thursday, October 23 to discuss the future of the group. The executive decided to discontinue monthly services. The regular meetings which would have been November 12 and December 10 will not take place.
The executive of Integrity/Saskatoon met Thursday, October 23, 2014 to discuss the future of the group. The executive decided to discontinue monthly services. The regular meetings which would have been November 12 and December 10 will not take place.
But Integrity/Saskatoon is not shutting down. Over the next few months new formats will be considered to revitalize the group. One possibility being considered is for Integrity/Saskatoon to host a traditional Anglican service for the whole city, perhaps at the Anglican Cathedral in Saskaatoon on a Saturday Night once a month.
Perhaps you can offer some ideas for the future. Consider the following comments and let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions.
Integrity/Saskatoon is the only organization that has been holding a regular monthly church service specifically for the LGBTQ community, and has been offering that service for 10 years as of this December. However, attendance has been low for some time. Society changes in 10 years. LGBTQ marriage is now a reality in Canada. Many are now part of an accepting congregation and do not need a special group for worship purposes.
Ten years of Integrity/Saskatoon is a long time. They were years filled with some wonderful memories of working with friends to help others, who felt marginalized, realize that the Christian message was for them too. It was a boost to our faith to see so many straight people alongside us at the meetings, people who shared our belief that the Gospel of Jesus is exactly what this self-destructive world sorely needs.
Considering the wide variety of opinion in the Anglican communion, our church took a courageous stance, and did a remarkable balancing act for the times, in supporting Integrity/Saskatoon. But the times have changed. Gay genocide is becoming a reality in parts of the world. In the face of such injustice, an unresponsive church seems to be an irrelevant church which has betrayed the Gospel. Over the last several months n group of people from several church and groups have been meeting, now calling themselves the LGBTQ Interfaith Justice Group of Saskatoon, to discuss action to encourage our interfaith organizations to oppose these injustices.
So where does that leave Integrity/Saskatoon? Is there still a place for an LGBTQ focused religious service. How should the LGBTQ community maintain its profile in the church. If you have any comments or suggestions please just use REPLY.
On behalf of the executive
Tom Rogers, Secretary
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