North Okanagan residents are being invited to celebrate inclusive love.

Trinity United Church will host two events as it officially becomes an Affirming congregation recognized by Affirm United, an independent, volunteer-led organization that promotes diversity and inclusion.

鈥淭he decision to become an Affirming church is a choice to do the ongoing hard work of self-reflection and growth towards greater and greater inclusion of people who are too often excluded by the church broadly and by society too, particularly our 2SLGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ,鈥� said Rev. Robin Jacobson, minister of Trinity United Church.

鈥淲e believe that welcoming all is one of the defining characteristics of the one we follow, Jesus Christ. If we are to follow his example, we are called to open our circle wide. And in the widening of that circle, we are all made more complete.鈥�

Representatives from Affirm United will officially present Trinity United with Affirming status during the Sunday, Jan. 26 worship service at 10 a.m. at the Alexis Park Drive church.

The public is invited to the service as well as an inclusion party on Feb. 1 that includes an art show at 2 p.m., family activities at 4 p.m., finger foods and cupcakes at 5 p.m. and entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m.

鈥淗elp us celebrate our vote to publicly and intentionally affirm, include and celebrate people of all gender identities, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, ages, socio-economic statuses and disabilities,鈥� said Abbie Wilson, who is helping organize the free Feb. 1 event, where security will be present.

Discussions about becoming an Affirming congregation began at Trinity United in spring 2021.

A committee was then formed to gather information and consult with congregation members. Some Bible exploration was part of the process.

In the fall of 2024, the congregation voted to becoming an Affirming church.

鈥淏efore making this commitment, we needed to dig into what that road into the future might look like so that we could respond with hearty agreement,鈥� said Barry Dorval, who led the Affirm committee.

Learn more about Affirm United and the Affirming process at affirmunited.ause.ca/.