Diversity Fair helps show United Church means inclusion

When Reverend James Ravenscroft says that a special event this weekend has something for everybody, he really means everybody.

“The more, the merrier,” he announced. “We're really wanting to celebrate the full range of diversity in St. Albert.”

The St. Albert United Church is hosting its first Diversity Fair, a kind of community social expo that features booths with numerous social service and community agencies. The church is hoping to introduce people to these groups and “learn about what's available in support of the full, amazing diversity of our city.”

“We realized that people don't know all the opportunities there are for them in the wider community.”

This means that the event will feature a wide variety of groups such as the Lo-Se-Ca, Traditions, the St. Albert Community Village and the Michif Institute. Attendees can also learn about a new interfaith group called the St. Albert Interfaith Network. That group arose with the help of the Edmonton Interfaith Centre.

“I can't really call them a sister organization of the Edmonton Interfaith Centre. They're more of a daughter,” he joked. “That's a group that's really only in its infancy but we definitely want them there. Those two groups will actually share a booth at the fair.”

As well, the LGBTQ community will be well represented by this city's PFLAG and OutLoud groups, as well as some other ministries that reach out to the gay community, including a queer bible study group and Edmonton's Pride Centre.

“We've also invited a broader sense of diversity, not just diversity in terms of gender identity or sexual orientation. There aren't a whole lot of groups that are serving the LGBTQ community in St. Albert, unfortunately. We want to acknowledge the diversity of faith traditions in St. Albert and the diversity of ages and economic circumstances.”

To continue the festivities after the event concludes, the Diversity Fair will have an after-party potluck with a speaker plus entertainment by Edmonton Vocal Minority. There will be Métis child jiggers and Dallas Arcand Jr. will perform his hoop dancing as well. People are welcome to bring more food to the potluck too.

To make it as accessible as possible to all, admission is free.

Affirmed as affirming

The event also serves to help mark a weekend of inclusiveness at the church. During regular Sunday worship service, the church will also be celebrating its official designation as an affirming ministry.

“To be designated as affirming means that we are expressing what I call ‘radical hospitality', that we will not bar our doors to anyone. If you wish to be a part of our community, we will gladly welcome you.”

It might sound like a formalization of the United Church's unwritten philosophy of openness to all – because it is. Ravenscroft admits that even up until 2006, the United Church didn't have an equal marriage policy. “Back in the day, we weren't as open. We've been on a journey,” he said. “Of course the United Church has been open and inclusive for 25-plus years but it's always done on a congregation-by-congregation approach.”

The official designation comes through an organization called Affirm United that is affiliated with the United Church of Canada. He calls it part of a broader affirming movement that has been taking place and through different denominations across North America and Europe. There are several other churches in the metropolitan Edmonton region that have been so designated but this is the first in St. Albert.

Along with it that “radical hospitality” comes an element of active advocacy for social sectors that might need an extra show of support.

“Affirming means we don't just politely, privately whisper that you're welcome here. We'll put a rainbow flag on the door and advocate for full inclusion of everyone in the wider community.”

To follow on the theme of diversity and inclusion, there will be rainbow coloured cupcakes being offered to the celebrants in attendance.

He said that the fair and the announcement are coming together in a really special way.

“It's a good time for it. It's something we wanted to do a little bit more. We wanted to make it a weekend rather than just two hours on Sunday: a service and a reception. That's kinda boring and we're not boring,” he remarked.

The worship service starts at 10 a.m.