Archbishop Fred Hiltz, called us all to observe 22 days (from the closing of the TRC to National Aboriginal Day on June 21st) of prayer and remembrance.
The prayers of intercession this Sunday 21 June 2015 have been written with this in mind. Please refer to the Diocese of Algoma for this and other liturgical resources for
As we have drawn attention to it in our church, many people have been asking questions about the Residential Schools and about the TRC. This evening [23 June 2015 from 6:30 -8:30 p.m. at Church of the Ascension, Sudbury] is an opportunity for some of those questions to be answered, and it will also show us ways in which we can promote healing and reconciliation with our indigenous brothers and sisters.
In his charge at Synod, Bishop Stephen said:
“I would like to ask that every parish observe the Primate’s ‘22 Days’ initiative marking the period of time from the final gathering of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Ottawa on Sunday, 31 May and National Aboriginal Day on Sunday, 21 June. A letter of invitation from the Primate and Bishop MacDonald has already been circulated among clergy and parish leaders, and in that letter you will find suggestions for ways in which this time may be honoured. In particular, I would like churches to consider ringing their bells so that our tintinnabulation will draw attention to the fact that 1,122 Indigenous women in Canada have been murdered or gone missing since 1980.”
For the last 16 days, parishes across Canada have been ringing bells for the 1122 missing or murdered Indigenous women. Thank you for being part of this very meaningful act. Many of us have been listening to the Sacred Stories of survivors, children and grandchildren of those who attended Residential Schools on the #22Days website. The stories are powerful, and bear witness to a shameful part of our history. Following each video there is a prayer for the person whose story we have just listened to. I found yesterday’s [16 June 2015] to be quite beautiful:
Great Creator
We were swept up and tossed about, like leaves in the wind
We did not know the place to which we were carried,
We found no rest in the beauty of your creation…
We lost touch with thy shelter and comfort
We lost touch with that which gives us life,
We were torn from the branches of that great tree
It seemed like we never really belonged
We were uprooted and we were withering…
We did not know the place to which we were carried,
We found no rest in the beauty of your creation…
We lost touch with thy shelter and comfort
We lost touch with that which gives us life,
We were torn from the branches of that great tree
It seemed like we never really belonged
We were uprooted and we were withering…
But Great Creator we are strong and we survive to grow again in
the soil that is our Mother, the Earth
the soil that is our Mother, the Earth
We long to feel connected once again
We long for the protection and peace that it brings
And we seek that now
We long for the protection and peace that it brings
And we seek that now
Great Creator may you give me the strength to forgive those who have left me broken
May those who have aided in my brokenness seek forgiveness
May those who have aided in my brokenness seek forgiveness
May all our children be unshackled from the chains of our collective past and be filled with hope and reconciliation, with love and understanding…
And Great Creator, may your will be done !!!
Todd Russell is the president of the NunatuKavut Community Council representing the southern Inuit of south central Labrador. He is a former co-chair of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples and served as MP for the riding of Labrador from 2005-2011.
Please share this email widely, and plan to attend. A time of fellowship will be held at the end of the evening on 23 June 2015.
God bless the rest of your week.
Anne
Picture: The Tree of Life (Anishinabe Spiritual Centre)
Blake Debassige