St. Mary’s Road church offering LGBTTQ+ friendly summer camp

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This article was published 24/06/2019 (2655 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What might be the city’s first LGBTTQ+ friendly Christian summer camp for kids is accepting registrations.

Called Camp Genesis, the camp for children ages seven to 12 is sponsored by St. Mary’s Road United Church. It runs from July 29 to Aug. 2.

Director Lilja Best said the idea for the camp grew out of the church’s stance as an affirming congregation; since 2014, it has been committed to being fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

The church is also committed to putting those words into action, so creating an inclusive summer camp “seemed like a good thing to do,” Best said, adding she isn’t aware of any other affirming churches in the city that have offered such a camp.

The goal of the camp to show “everyone is a unique and perfect child of God,” Best said.

At the camp, kids will be invited to celebrate and express their individuality through music, drama, games, art and Bible lessons about how God loves and welcomes everyone.

“We want to provide a safe space where they can be who they are and know they won’t be judged,” she said.

Best expects the camp will appeal to parents who want their children to be “taught a type of Christianity that doesn’t exclude people.”

“Religion shouldn’t be used as a tool to oppress others,” she explained, adding, “we don’t want to be too heavy (in the lessons). We just want to talk about being welcomed… we want to celebrate diversity and love.”

In addition to Best, a university student who is a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Road church, the camp will be staffed by other volunteers from the church.

“It’s going to be a really fun time of learning about love and acceptance,” she said.

The cost of the camp, which will be held at the church at 613 St. Mary’s Rd., is $150. Space is limited; to register, call 204)-254-2378 or visit stmarysroad.ca/camp-genesis by July 12.

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