Forest Lawn United Church

05/18/2026

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. Join us today in support of the non-negotiable truth of every person’s dignity.

Creator, we come to you with both the joys and the sorrows of our hearts.
We are grateful for the gift of life and the joy that it can bring.
For families and friends who love us.
For allies who stick up for us, even when we cannot risk sticking up for ourselves.
For the great diversity you have created in our world.
We pray for those who suffer from discrimination because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Who worry about their employment or who cannot find a job.
For those who must hide who they are to find housing.
For those who are not safe on our streets.
For those who do not feel safe in their place of worship.
Help us to end homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, and all forms of discrimination and hate.
Show us the way to make this world a better place for all.

—written by Ruth Wood, for The United Church of Canada and Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble (2017).

05/16/2026

The bill has resulted in hearings denied for refugee claimants across Canada, who now face removal to countries where they may be at risk of persecution, violence, or imprisonment.

05/06/2026

Today we mark Red Dress Day, remembering and honouring the thousands of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people.

We hold their lives with reverence, and we stand with the families and communities who carry grief, love, and ongoing calls for justice.

As people of faith, we are called not only to remember, but to listen, to learn, and to speak out against the systems of racism, violence, and injustice that continue to harm Indigenous communities.

May we be people who honour truth, seek justice, and walk in right relationship with one another.

04/03/2026

03/31/2026

On this Trans Day of Visibility, we celebrate trans and non-binary people and recognize their strength, resilience, and contributions. Visibility matters, and together, we can create a world where every trans person is seen, valued, and supported.

Today, we are seeing a global wave of anti-trans legislation, some based on harmful religious rhetoric and inherited colonial structures that continue to undo hard-won rights in many ways. Unlearning these harmful frameworks also calls us to show up, speak up, and stand alongside the transgender community, not just today, but every day.

We stand in solidarity with the trans community, celebrating lives lived authentically and advocating for a world where everyone can belong with dignity and without fear. 🏳️‍⚧️

03/27/2026

This week, our sign feels less like a message on a board and more like a prayer in public: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” In a world that feels loud with conflict, cruelty, fear, and division, those words call us back to something deeper. They remind us that peace is not weakness, avoidance, or pretending everything is fine.

PEACE IS HOLY WORK

It is the courage to protect dignity,
to make room for one another,
to tell the truth with love,
and to keep choosing compassion when the world keeps teaching contempt.

At Knox United, we keep saying we want to be an open space, a vibrant place, and a place of sacred connections. This sign is one small but visible way of living that calling out loud, right on the corner, for everyone passing by.