Rainbow Communion was a special committee that served the denomination from 2017-2021. The committee was tasked with providing an appropriate response to homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism and hypocrisy within The Presbyterian Church in Canada. In accordance with their mandate, Rainbow Communion invited LGBTQI people and others to tell stories of harm done to them within and by the church, and to share their stories of God’s grace experienced by them in Christian ministry. Rainbow Communion worked diligently to create confidential, safe, affirming and respectful spaces for people to share their experiences.

This page contains resources created by Rainbow Communion, including the committee’s interim and final reports. These resources are available as guidance to the whole church about how to identify past and ongoing harm to LGBTQI people, how to respond to that harm and how to ensure that harm will not continue. To learn more about The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s ongoing work related to gender, sexuality and LGBTQI2+ inclusion, visit presbyterian.ca/sexuality.

The Final Report of Rainbow Communion

Rainbow Communion presented its final report at the 2021 General Assembly. The content of the report and the recommendations were guided by the voices and experiences of 139 storytellers. Rainbow Communion heard stories from coast to coast, from people ranging in age, from different ethnicities, from different theological perspectives, and representing a spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations. The report and all 23 recommendations were adopted and are commended to groups within the denomination as the church seeks reconciliation with LGBTQI people.

Video Summary – Not All Are Welcome

Rainbow Communion thanks all who graciously and generously shared their stories and put their trust in the process established by the committee so that the Church may better identify and understand its homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism and hypocrisy and continue to work towards healing and reconciliation in the future.

Interim Reports

Image of arrow pointing downRainbow Communion Full Report – 2019 Book of Reports
Image of arrow pointing downRainbow Communion General Assembly Summary – 2019 Book of Reports
Image of arrow pointing downRainbow Communion Full Report – 2018 Book of Reports
Image of arrow pointing downRainbow Communion General Assembly Summary – 2018 Book of Reports

Related Resources

Social Action Hub
Read about The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s statements and actions regarding gender, sexuality and LGBTQI inclusion.

The PCC’s Confession to God and LGBTQI People
The 2022 General Assembly adopted a confession regarding the harm caused by homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism and hypocrisy in The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and committing the church to a true change of heart and behaviour. The whole church is called to live out this confession as individuals and communities of faith so that harm does not continue.

Letter of Repentance (2018)
At the direction of the 2017 General Assembly, the Moderator issued a Letter of Repentance to LGBTQI people and all who have been harmed by homophobia and hypocrisy in the church. [ Chinese , Korean ]

LGBTQI Terminology
Rainbow Communion wrote Definitions of commonly used words in discussions about sexuality to clarify terminology related to gender identity, sexual orientation or attraction and related topics. The 3.5-minute video clip Understanding Terminology related to Gender is another helpful resource for people who want to learn more about transgender, nonbinary and intersex identities.

For more resources about gender, sexuality and ministry with LGBTQI2+ people, visit presbyterian.ca/sexuality.

At the General Assembly in 2017, a special committee was created with the following terms of reference:

  1. The Special Committee shall create a safe and respectful environment in which confidentiality is assured, in order to encourage LGBTQI people and others:
    • to tell their stories of harm done to them within and by the church; and
    • to share their stories of God’s grace experienced by them and Christian ministry performed by them, even in the midst of the challenges they have faced.
  2. The Special Committee shall invite LGBTQI people and others to submit their stories orally or in writing. Stories will be included in the committee’s report to a future General Assembly with permission of those who have shared.
  3. The Special Committee shall make use of relevant documents of the church, including but not limited to:
    • the 1994 Human Sexuality Report;
    • Body, Mind and Soul study document and the individual responses received by the Life and Mission Agency and the Committee on Church Doctrine to it; and
    • any other such documents as the committee may deem relevant.
  4. The Special Committee shall provide an appropriate response to the issue of homophobia, hypocrisy, heterosexism and transphobia within The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
  5. The Special Committee shall recommend concrete actions addressing homophobia to the General Assembly for implementation within the church.
  6. The Special Committee shall report its progress at each upcoming General Assembly, with a final report by or before the 2020 General Assembly.
  7. The Special Committee shall be made up of seven members drawn from across the church. The Special Committee shall be reflective of the ethnic diversity of the denomination and shall include at least two members of the LGBTQI community.
  8. The Assembly Council shall be instructed to support the Special Committee with an appropriate budget and appropriate document support.

Rainbow Communion’s Terms of Reference were adopted at the 2017 General Assembly (A&P 2017, p.45-46). The 2018 General Assembly approved amended Terms of Reference (A&P 2018, p. 459-462).