Merging Waters 
United Church

Worship Services Online 

Merging Waters welcomes everyone, of any sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity. For decades our community has been led and supported by people of diverse orientations and identities.

 

In 2002, Union Church became the first affirming congregation in Quebec!  After merging with Beaurepaire United Church several years ago, Merging Waters joyfully celebrated our official Affirm status on October 26, 2025. ! While all required steps have been completed, our journey has only begun. Our congregation continues to explore, plan, and participate in activities that support the West Island LGBTQIA+ community. Misinformation continues to circulate on social media and among certain groups. Merging Waters is creating a safe space for everyone to be themselves and find acceptance. To watch our service of celebration, click here.

 

Below, you can find information on our work with Affirm United, published and web material that has been particularly helpful, and news items that inform us of 2SLGBTQIA+ issues of justice and inclusion in society. 

 

 

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AFFIRM UNITED

Affirm United / S'affirmer Ensemble (AUSE) is a national organization within the United Church of Canada with that educates and supports Communities of Faith affirming their committment to inclusion and justice for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The AUSE main website is here.

The main AUSE resource we are using is called Open Hearts and can be found here 

 

ACTIVITIES 

In October 2024, Reverend Lisa led a Sunday service titled "Equipping Our Grannies: Understanding what our grandchildren might teach us about gender." Two guest speakers from the local 2SLGBTQ+ community shared their stories and addressed questions to help people navigate the complexities of new terms and concepts. It generated lots of discussion in the weeks that followed. 

 

Annual activities include:

·         March 14th: PIE (Public, Intentional, Explicit) Day. Celebrated on the Sunday closest to the date

·         September: West Island Pride Day. A poster will be shared in August with the date, location, and time

A video of the service can be found here.   

 

 

RESOURCES

In this section we have collected web sites that we have found useful in our work to understand 2SLGBTQ+ issues as they develop. Things are changing fast and its hard to keep up. We encourage you to explore these sites and develop your own understanding. We hope these resources are helpful to you.

 

Terminology

The developing understanding of sexuality and gender has introduced a lot of new concepts and new language to go along with them. Like learning any new language, this can be unfamiliar and confusing. We encourage you to learn the language and become comfortable using the words. Here are some helpful resources:

 

A good 'lexicon' of teminology in English and French can be found here.  FONDATION EMERGENCE is a Quebec organization working against homophobia and transphobia.

 

A good poster summarizing key words and ideas comes from BelongTo, an Irish organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth with information, interviews etc.

 

The Gender Unicorn is here!

 

Love Me Gender: The Guide

This is an extensive resource published by the Quebec Museum of Civilization in support of a recent museum exhibit. It covers a wide range of topics relating to gender and sexuality, and is a good read for everyone.

 

2SLGBTQ+ : Proud, Prepared, Protected

From a new organization devoted to providing information and support for 2SLGBTQ+ people in healthcare,  this  website has a wide variety of information and resources developed by 2SLGBTQ+ for 2SLGBTQ+, with funding from Health Canada. 

 

Local Resources

In our area, the West island LGBTQ2+ Centre provides information, in-person and online programs and events for youth, adults and seniors.

 

 

Lived experience

Here is a first-person reflection from a non-binary student: I shouldn't have to look non-binary

 

THINGS TO WATCH

 

 

Fluid: Life Beyond the Binary

This new CBC Nature of Things episode explores the amazing diverisity of gender and sexuality expression in plants and animals. Interviews with leading researchers explain the extent and origins of this diversity and raise the question of why should we expect humans to have just two genders. Accessible online for free through CBC Gem: Nature of Things (scroll down to find the episode)

 

If you have ever been told, or ever thought, that being other than heterosexual is 'not natural', you should watch these two documentaries. Each delves deeply into sexual and gender diversity in the animal kingdom. The diversity is everywhere and is incredible.  Animal Pride is accessible online for free through CBC Gem: Nature of Things (scroll down to find the episode). Queer Planet is available through CBC Gem too. Click here.

 

 

 

Judith Butler is one of the leading thinkers on gender and has been for decades.  In this video Dr. Butler discusses gender and its connection to justice, freedom and democracy. It is definitely worth watching.