Communal Meal at Canada's Largest Church Potluck

Volume 6, Issue No. 54

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .

Our latest as of Wednesday, June 11, 2025 

~  "Affirming" and "Welcoming" are two words so nuanced one could be mistaken for the other. During a news coverage this past weekend, the difference could be felt and seen in a communal meal tagged as "Canada's largest church potluck" in downtown Toronto. The noon event showed what "affirming" means as opposed to "welcoming." 

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CANADA'S LARGEST CHURCH POTLUCK

Differentiating 'Affirming' from 'Welcoming'

Over 200 People Shared Communal Meal

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ 

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness". - Dalai Lama XIV 

TORONTO - To my uninitiated mind, it was intriguing to hear Rev. Jason Meyers say "we are an Affirming church" to describe the Metropolitan United Church he leads as Minister for Worship and Faith Formation.

I am not much of a religious person so the moment "affirming" is mentioned, I hurriedly tried to find out the context of how it is used. In my Catholic upbringing, I never once heard it said in rare moments I visited church and attended Mass.

On Sunday, June 8, I wondered why so many people - at least 200 is the official estimate - gathered and partook of meals at McGill Square fronting the church at 56 Queen St. East.

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I went there to cover that event dubbed as "Canada's largest church potluck" purely for its uniqueness, news value, and how it fits the multicultural aspects of my news organization.

In the hour-or-so I walked around shooting pictures and videos, the answers to my questions came unfolding before my eyes. And it's not just people talking to me, it's the whole event speaking for itself.

It was impressive. I told church officials I am deeply moved not so much by the huge turnout but by the good-natured atmosphere, the fellowship, the sharing of food, and the spontaneous conversations across the 100-foot long table painted in rainbow colors.

I guess that in my 15 years in Toronto covering events relevant to the Filipino community, I had not experienced such universal harmony where the person matters more than looks, rank, or status as this one.

Regardless age, class, gender, faith, race, sexual orientation, political beliefs, etc., everyone is affirmed, which is to say, to quote from the church's website, "that God's love extends to everyone equally and without reserve."

I have very limited knowledge of religion. The fact that I was born and baptized a Catholic does not mean much to the journalism career I've chosen to practice from early on. 

So I had to do a little research to increase my knowledge, especially now that I'm confronted with what seemed to me as new, the words "affirming church."

One of the blogs I found googling was that of Rev Karla's (https://revkarla.com/about-rev-karla/) which is very enlightening for me. She writes about the difference between a "welcoming" and an "affirming" church.

She says, and I quote:

"In an affirming church, all people are welcome regardless of the color of their skin, where they were born, who they love or what they believe. You won't find judgment or condemnation there; instead, you will receive love and support from those around you. The message of an affirming church centers on acceptance and love for everyone."

Well, I said to myself, that's exactly why a large number of people joined the communal meal tagged as "Canada's largest church potluck"  at the Metropolitan United Church on Sunday.

In contrast, a "welcoming church," states Rev Karla: " . . . does not necessarily mean it sees all members of its congregation as equals within its community. They will say things like, 'We welcome everyone,' instead of saying, 'We accept and affirm everyone.' 

"Saying that you accept and affirm someone means that you do not expect them to change their authenticity for them to be embraced by your community. Welcoming someone inside should mean the same, but unfortunately, in the church setting, it simply means you're welcome to fill a seat and tithe."

I am now in a quandary. Even though I am not a genuinely practising Catholic, I'd ask: is my church affirming or welcoming? (Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved).