Queer Committee

Queer Committee Update: March 2026
What’s moving, what’s next, and how to take part

The Eastern Synod Queer Committee gathered March 5–6 for an in-person working meeting, and the momentum is real. Our focus remains the same: strengthening queer and 2SLGBTQIA+ welcome, affirmation, and belonging across the synod—in worship, congregational life, and public witness—while building tangible ways for congregations and individuals to participate.

This update follows the five mandates given by Synod Assembly. We’re excited to share news about what’s actively underway, what you can expect next, and how you can get involved.

Mandate 1: Education and self-awareness

The Queer History Project is deepening in a meaningful way. As stories have been gathered, we’ve become more aware that this work is not only historical—it can also be healing. Bishop Carla will be writing a thank-you letter to participants who have already contributed their stories.

As we gather more recollections and stories, these accounts are shaping the project into a book that captures an oral history: preserving lived experience—not just decisions and motions—so that the synod can tell the truth, learn from it, and remain motivated for the work still ahead. The committee is moving toward a thematic structure in organizing the stories, and we’re being intentional about ensuring the stories of newer generations are woven into the record as well.

Next, we’ll be widening participation through a simple response form. Not every story may be published, but every story will be heard, and all stories will be preserved with care in the archive.

Mandate 2: Equipping congregations and leaders

This mandate is about making sure congregations have what they need to lead with clarity and care—especially in worship, learning, and pastoral care. This spring, we’ve focused on strengthening the resource foundations that support that goal.

The committee reviewed and reorganized our existing folders so resources are easier to find and use, and we will continue adding worship resources to deepen the collection.

We’re also exploring ways to add more specifically “Lutheran-ready” worship support, including the possibility of a short worship essay/resource and learning from leaders who have taught on queer worship in the church.

If your congregation has worship resources, learning materials, or pastoral care supports you’ve used successfully—especially things that are practical and replicable—we welcome any resources you’d like to contribute so they can be shared across the synod.

Mandate 3: Encouraging and facilitating the RIC process

RIC support continues to move forward in tangible ways. Synod staff have received training on the significance of being Reconciling and on SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression), and Synod Council has now completed the same training.

We’re also strengthening Canadian context. Some SOGIE content is US-based, and Pastor Steve Hoffard is collaborating with ReconcilingWorks to enhance Canadian content.

If your congregation is in the RIC process (or discerning next steps), we’d love to hear what has helped, what has been hard, and what support would make the next step possible.

Mandate 4: Intentional public presence at Pride events

Planning for Pride 2026 is already underway, building on the strength and joy of synod-wide participation in 2025. The goal remains to show up with a visible, coordinated presence across the territory of the Eastern Synod—and to make it easier for congregations to participate locally in ways that are confident and sustainable.

This year, the synod office will coordinate an at-cost direct ordering service for Pride items (including shirts/tank tops and umbrellas, with trans colours and Progress Pride colours), and we’re continuing to build out the kit and the practical logistics around banners, QR codes, guidance materials, safety/health notes, and more. We’re also being intentional about atmosphere: music and tone matter for faith-community witness, and we’re learning from congregations who have done this well.

If your congregation or ministry area is participating in Pride—parade, worship, booth/table, community event, learning gathering—we would love to be invited. Please reach out early with the date, location, and what kind of presence you’re inviting so calendars can be coordinated well.

Mandate 5: Responding to current events with advocacy and action

We continue to strengthen our readiness to respond when queer and 2SLGBTQIA+ people face harm in the wider world. That includes identifying appropriate moments for public witness, using repeatable tools like short-form video statements when helpful, and collaborating with other synod committees when shared action makes sense (including joint statements and letter-writing invitations).

Synod Assembly project: Shower of Stoles + synod-wide quilt project

Planning is moving forward for a walk-through Assembly installation that will be both reflective and celebratory—looking back and ahead—and designed to travel across the synod following its launch.

This installation will include our Shower of Stoles – a display of donated and newly created stoles, complete with stories and reflections, and a timeline display around the installation space.

We are also working on a travelling synod-wide quilt, and we are at the point where we are looking for volunteers from across the synod to help us grow this project.

You will receive a separate, fulsome email about the quilt project with full details and participation steps. For now, we’ll simply say: there will be clear opportunities to participate across the synod—especially for sewists and quilters, and for those who enjoy organizing, labelling, and exhibit setup.

Three ways to engage right now:

1. Invite us to Pride — early! (date/location/format + contact person)
2. Watch for the Queer History Book Project participation invitation
3. Watch for the Shower of Stoles / quilt volunteer call – we’ll need quilters, sewists, organizers and craft people of all abilities!

Queer Committee Update – December 2025

Mandate 1: Education and self-awareness

We are developing a synod-wide collection of stories alongside an Eastern Synod timeline to help congregations better understand queer and 2SLGBTQIA+ history and experiences of life within the church. This work is educational, pastoral, and historical — holding stories of courage, calling, joy, and community — and supporting deeper learning and more faithful relationship across the synod. We will also share learning resources and opportunities throughout the year for adult education, leadership settings, and worship planning.

Mandate 2: Equipping congregations and leaders

We’re creating practical supports congregations can use for worship, learning, and pastoral care. A key 2026 initiative is Pride Packs: adaptable resources (including editable templates) for Pride events, RIC Sunday, and general congregational use.

Mandate 3: Encouraging and facilitating the RIC process

We’re celebrating and supporting congregations that are already RIC and strengthening support for congregations beginning the process or discerning next steps — including exploring ministry-area approaches and building connection among lay leaders. The Queer Committee is also providing support to the Eastern Synod staff as they re-engage with their own RIC mandate.

Mandate 4: Intentional public presence at Pride events

Building on strong synod-wide participation in 2025, we’re coordinating an intentional Pride presence across the territory of the Eastern Synod and strengthening congregational support so communities can show up confidently and sustainably.

*We continue to receive requests and are review them based on the committee/synod staff capacity.

Mandate 5: Responding to current events with advocacy and action

We are working toward a clearer, more responsive synod posture when queer and 2SLGBTQIA+ people face harm in the wider world. When urgent moments arise, we will share resources and invitations to action through synod communications, including ways congregations can respond locally with faithfulness and care.

Announcement: New Queer Committee Established By Eastern Synod Council

As a church committed to speaking out against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, the Eastern Synod recognizes that there is still much work to do.

Amid rising anti-2SLGBTQIA+ and anti-trans hate, we commit to going beyond awareness, and are taking actionable steps to support the queer community, including our trans, nonbinary, Two Spirit, and gender diverse siblings.

At their November 2024 meeting, the Eastern Synod Council took steps to establish a new 2SLBGTQIA+ Portfolio, under which was the establishment of a Queer Committee in the Eastern Synod. Rev. Adam Snook will provide staff support in this area.

Queer is a term that offers a unifying and celebratory way of appreciating those whose gender and sexual orientation identities are not heterosexual or cisgender. Once a derogatory term that has caused much harm, the word ‘queer’ has been reclaimed by many in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as a way of appreciating difference instead of stigmatizing it. Some people prefer to identify as ‘queer’ instead of a specific letter of the acronym as a way to gain a measure of privacy, while claiming a place in the larger community.

The mandate for the committee will be as follows:

1. To provide opportunities for education and self-awareness of queer persons, our relationships with them and the experiences of life in the church.
2. To bring concerns of Queer persons before congregations on a regular basis and to equip rostered leaders and lay people with resources and support for worship, learning, and pastoral care.
3. To encourage and facilitate participation in the RIC (Reconciling In Christ) process within Congregations, the Eastern Synod ministries and staff.
4. To coordinate an intentional public presence at pride events across the territory of the Eastern Synod.
5. To respond to current world events by calling the church to advocacy and action.