Passing the Peace - May 2, 2025
Dear Glen Morris United Church,
On Monday night I was outside of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board meeting to play my part on showing support for 2S and LGBTQIA+ youth, staff, and families. Students chanted "love not judge" and other messages of resisting hate and the importance of inclusion.
At the last two board meetings, members of the community have criticized LGBTQIA+ content in school libraries and proposed a motion to ban all flags on school property except for the Canadian flag. It’s been hard to see the Christian faith used to promote ideas that threaten and hurt 2S & LGBTQIA+ people.
In response to these recent board meetings, I have worked with Rev Hoeun Lee at First United Church (Waterloo) to write a letter of support.
April 7, 2025
To: Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Subject: As Followers of Jesus, We Stand Against the Motion to Ban the Pride Flag
Peace and grace be with you,
We, the undersigned ministers and Christian faith leaders, write to express our deep concern about the motion recently proposed by a trustee of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board to ban almost all flags—including the Pride and Progress Pride flags—on school property.
As people of faith, we believe that every human being is created in the image of God and carries inherent dignity that must be honoured in all circumstances. We are troubled by any effort that seeks to erase or silence the presence of Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families in Catholic schools—communities where Christ’s love and welcome should be most clearly felt.
In Jesus’ teachings and throughout the Bible we see God’s unrelenting care and concern for the marginalized. As disciples of Jesus who wish to bear faithful witness to the Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth attending schools in the WCDSB, we carry that ethic with us.
We echo the words of Pope Francis, who teaches: “The dignity of others is to be respected in all circumstances... because human beings possess an inherent dignity equal in all persons.” (Fratelli Tutti, §213) And further: “We are called to universal fraternity, which is openness to all.” (Fratelli Tutti, §1)
These words call us not simply to tolerate differences, but to affirm the sacred worth of every human being as made in the image of God. We firmly believe that the Gospel calls us to radical hospitality, especially for those who are most vulnerable. For many Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students, God’s love becomes most visible when their identities and stories are affirmed in the spaces where they learn and grow.
Removing the Pride flag sends a message of exclusion to students who are already at higher risk of isolation, bullying, and mental health struggles. For many Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth, visible signs of welcome—like the Pride flag—are not merely symbolic. They are tangible signs of hope, belonging, and safety. They proclaim: “You are seen. You are loved. You matter here.”
As followers of Jesus from diverse communities of faith, we have seen firsthand the harm that exclusion can do—and the healing power of affirmation. Jesus set a table where everyone had a place. In our time, we are called to ensure that every student knows they are beloved by God, and that their full humanity is affirmed and protected in our schools.
We urge you to reject this motion and continue to support visible signs of love and inclusion. Let us not retreat into fear but instead move forward in the Spirit of Christ—who welcomed the stranger, embraced the marginalized, and called us into a radical love that leaves no one behind.
With deep love and solidarity to all Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students, parents, teachers, and allies who are part of your school board,
Rev Michiko Bown-Kai & Rev Hoeun Lee
This letter was signed by an additional 40+ religious leaders from around the area including Presbyterians, Lutherans, Mennonites, and more. We are grateful to have been able to express our understanding of Christian love and witness during a scary and challenging time for 2S and LGBTQIA+ students.
I am happy to announce that the motion to ban Pride Flags did not pass and that we have this small yet important win to celebrate.
May the peace of Christ be with you this week,
Yours in Christ,
Rev Michiko