A few weeks ago, we asked you to vote for which book in the Bible our teaching team should work through this summer. It was a close race, and Ecclesiastes came out on top! Our teaching team has planned a nine-part series starting next week and running until the end of August. Even if you plan to be away for any of these weeks, you can always catch up on our podcast.
Elevation seeks to be a safe and welcoming place for all people to follow Jesus. We recognize and mourn the fact that many of our 2SLGBTQ+ siblings have been excluded from and oppressed by the Church. We believe that this is not the way of Jesus. We seek to do and be better as we follow Christ together.
We believe everyone should act according to their convictions and personal discernment, and our community will seek to support you whether you choose to pursue marriage, a relationship or singleness. The pronouns you feel most comfortable with are what we desire to use. We recognize that we may sometimes get it wrong. We hope that you will feel comfortable to remind or correct us. Please feel free to use the washroom you feel most comfortable in. All-gender washrooms are also available.
We believe that all people are created with dignity and intrinsic value, being made in the image of God. In our community, we recognize that we may hold many diverse views on any given topic. However, we strive to walk together with love, grace and respect, and therefore abusive language or behaviour will not be tolerated. While Elevation is committed to respecting each individual’s right to interpret and live out scripture according to their convictions, we are committed to approaching our teaching with an anti-oppressive lens – reflecting the commitments of this document.
You, your marriage and your family as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community will be celebrated and valued just as we would celebrate and value any other individual, marriage, or family. We also seek to highlight the diversity of our community in our stories, artwork and communication.
We want everyone at Elevation to be involved in the life and ministry of our church. We welcome 2SLGBTQ+ individuals at all levels of leadership, including staff and the Pastoral Team.
We know we will not always get it right. We commit to being open to feedback from the 2SLGBTQ+ community and seek to listen and do better. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact the office (info@elevationwaterloo.org) to be put in touch with Brian Pengelly or Melissa Burke.
At Elevation, we cultivate different postures in our spiritual journey. We’ve explored “Open Hands” and “Repentance & Repair” in our recent series and are excitedly looking forward to “Engaging Collectively” after our current short series.
Mark Dettweiler will start us off in the Belovedness sermon series where he will speak about the positive changes that arise as we embrace God’s love for us and live each day as His beloved. Cathleen will then guide us through “Breaking the Binary of Belovedness.” We’ll explore how everyone, from the prodigal to the powerful, from the marginalized to the magnified, is deeply cherished. Brian Pengelly will close off the series with his theme on being rooted in our belovedness, using the Ananias and Paul narrative.
As we enter Holy Week, we invite you to join us for special observances at Elevation. On Friday, March 29, come to the gym and partake in the Stations of the Cross between 9am and 10pm. Additionally, join us for a Good Friday service at 3pm.
On Easter Sunday, our regular 9am gathering will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Your presence and participation are deeply valued as we come together in reflection and celebration during this sacred time.
We are please to announce that we have filled the Teams and Communications Coordinator role. We were truly blessed to have really great candidates apply and interview for the position, and after a lengthy process of prayer and careful consideration, we are happy to announce that Carl Leisegang was offered and subsequently accepted this position!
He will be transitioning from a part time to full time position on our staff team as of March 18, 2024. Join us in welcoming Carl into his new role!