National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Orange Shirt Day in Canada

 

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is September 30

  is also known as Orange Shirt Day in Canada. The Canadian government designated this date in 2021. This was done in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action 80 which states that the federal government will work with Indigenous people to establish a statutory day to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process”.

People across Canada wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada. Orange Shirt Day originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation who when on  her first day at St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, her shiny new orange shirt was stripped from her, never to be seen again. Forty years later, on September 30th, 2013, Phyllis spoke publicly for the first time about her experience, and thus began the Orange Shirt Day movement.

Residential schools were established by the government of the day in conjunction with different church leaders. Children were taken from their homes and sent to live many miles away not just to learn to read and write but to assimilate to the dominant white culture.

In recent years many stories have been shared about residential school experiences and have focused on missing children and abuse. Stories of lost children have led to searching the grounds of many schools and the discovery of the remains of many children has it the news calling us all to hear again the grief the Indigenous communities.

Orange Shirt day invites us to listen to these stories and to honour the children who survived the Indian Residential Schools and remember those that didn't. Every Child Matters.

Let us reflect on the Indigenous peoples of Canada and listen to their stories. Let us pray with hope.

(This prayer was prepared and shared by the United Church of Canada for Orange Shirt Day 2022.)

Powerful Christ, we are grateful that you came to us as a child,

who grew out of a community that nurtured, supported, and taught you the way of your ancestors.

You have asked us to do the same: to treat every child as we would treat you, to love every person as you have loved us.

 We are grateful that your power is rooted in love, not force; your strength is displayed through community, not might. You have taught us to work toward a better world where all of creation thrives, and where every child matters.

 On this Orange Shirt Day, we remember Phyllis Webstad as a child, and the stolen childhood of all the children forcibly raised by church-run institutions, known as residential schools.

We lament how these institutions stole from children the opportunity to grow in a safe and loving environment; stole from Elders the opportunity to share their teachings and wisdom with younger generations; and stole from communities the opportunity to live intergenerationally.

 We mourn the children who never made it home,  the communities that were destroyed, the broken hearts,  the stories never shared, and the shattered relationships.

 We ask that you provide comfort to all who are seeking healing and who daily wrestle with the ongoing harmful legacy of these colonial institutions, strength to all who name how colonial powers have harmed us as peoples and as a nation; often at great personal cost, and courage to all who are working toward reconciliation.

 Christ Child, as you grew, you reminded us to always welcome and care for children.

We remember your children today.

We lament and acknowledge the sinful ways that colonial powers tried to eradicate Indigenous cultures within Canada, breaking Indigenous families,  removing children from their homes while destroying communities.

 And we pray for healing,  so that we who live together in this country can also work together to build a better future where all children are cherished, beloved, and given what they need to thrive.

So that we may treat all children as we would treat you, our Beloved. Amen.

 PRAYER:

God of grace we praise you and thank you for the life of Queen Elizabeth II whom you have called home to rest. Bless the Royal Family and comfort them and all who mourn her death. Be with King Charles as he grieves his mother’s death and as he begins his new role as king. May your Spirit encircle all who mourn and keep us safe as we share in thanksgiving for the life of Queen Elizabeth II. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

End Racism Build Peace

 UN International Day of Peace *

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed

around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. But achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms.  It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.

As Secretary-General António Guterres has said:

“Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life in every society. It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights. It destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and… the linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable.”

The theme for this year’s Day of Peace is “End Racism Build Peace” as the United Nations calls upon all of us to work towards a world free of racism and racial discrimination.  But we must start as individuals and overcome prejudices and racial attitudes. To end racism means a change in focus from suspicion and hatred are overcome with compassion and empathy.

As conflicts continue to erupt across the globe, causing people to flee, we have seen race-based discrimination at borders. As COVID-19 keeps attacking our communities, we have seen how certain racial groups have been hit much harder than others. As economies suffer, we have seen hate speech and violence directed at racial minorities.

What does this day commemorate? IT is a day to pray that peace will emerge from hate, racism attitudes and conflicts. IT is a day to gather around peace poles and lift up our prayers to God as we seek to have a world that is free from conflict.

It is a day to pray “May peace prevail on earth.”

PRAYER

God of grace on this International Day of Peace we lift up to you the many people who are not at peace- whether they are in the midst of war, conflicts with neighbouring countries or communities. We ask that there would be resolutions for the sake of people’s lives.

We also pray for people who are not at peace with themselves as there is a need for mental health and a focus for hope to bring healing.

God we pray this day for peace—for we love this world which you have created and we need each other as we need to grow together combatting the challenges our world is facing. May peace prevail on earth O God, May peace prevail on earth. Amen. 

«  This information is fromhttps://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace 

PRAYER:

God of grace we praise you and thank you for the life of Queen Elizabeth II whom you have called home to rest. Bless the Royal Family and comfort them and all who mourn her death. Be with King Charles as he grieves his mother’s death and as he begins his new role as king. May your Spirit encircle all who mourn and keep us safe as we share in thanksgiving for the life of Queen Elizabeth II. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

 On September 8, 2022 news of the death of

Queen Elizabeth II was shared around the world.  Yes we all knew she was 96 years old and had not been able to attend all of the activities of the 70^th Jubilee celebration of her long serving reign. But needless to say, many people will remember the moment when they heard of her death and said, oh my and offered prayers of comfort to her family. She is known around the world for her quick wit, bright clothes, and kindness. She is also known for her faith in Jesus, and for her commitment to serve as Queen until God called her home.

Just two days before her death she received Prime Minister Truss at Balmoral Castle  and acknowledged the change in leadership of the British Parliament. This was the 15^th time she as head of state had done this, Winston Churchill being the first Prime Minister to do this.  Her faith guided her work, her family and lead her to fully live and love others. 

As many people watched the pageantry of tradition put into practice by British government leaders, many people shed tears as this person the Queen was brought to the people so that they could line up for hours to pay their respects.

Upon taking a few moments to go to Windsor City Hall and sign the book of condolences which will be sent to the Royal Family, I looked at the beautiful portrait of the Queen, and paused for a moment. I then wrote “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” quoting Matthew 25:21. If we read this passage it continues with these words:  “thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter now into the joy of thy lord.”  To me these words are fitting for this gracious and kind woman whose eyes sparkled with hope.

Throughout the life of the Queen stated how important her faith in Jesus has been to her. Her country  and the common wealth of nations in which she served as Head of State, faced many political and emotional challenges. Yet her faith lead her through them all calming our hearts and spirits to have hope and carry on.

 As we prepare for her funeral on September 19 let us reflect on this incredible woman who served in for 70 years as God led her and guided her journey in this life.

PRAYER:

God of grace we praise you and thank you for the life of Queen Elizabeth II whom you have called home to rest. Bless the Royal Family and comfort them and all who mourn her death. Be with King Charles as he grieves his mother’s death and as he begins his new role as king. May your Spirit encircle all who mourn and keep us safe as we share in thanksgiving for the life of Queen Elizabeth II. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

The Post Pandemic Church

 

What does the post-pandemic church look like today?

If you were to ask some people, they might simply ask, why? What does it matter what the church looks like today? Others, will say it is a more caring group of people who are intentional about the ways they reach out to others. And still others,  might even say that the church died well before the pandemic!

But the church is not dead because God is alive and at work in the hearts and minds of people who have faith and believe. They believe that there is Creator who in turn created people who have been given the ability to think, reason and feel. IT is through the generations of people that we are where we are in human history. God enabled people to think and feel, to research and discover what no one thought of even thirty years ago. But here we are in 2022 thinking and feeling beyond limits.

Yet the church is still present- the need for the church has not changed in over 2000 years. People need to connect with God and with each other to share in what is known as ministry. We need to reach out and care for others in the way of Jesus. The church has changed and evolved based on the needs of people and will continue to do so. But we must be willing to move forward in faith as Christ leads.

Franklin Graham was recently in London, England preaching in the “God Loves You” tour. Prior to his preaching, British broadcaster Piers Morgan invited him to appear on his television show. In the conversation, Morgan stated, “Times are changing. People are changing,” shouldn’t he (Graham) reconsider his stance on important social and Biblical issues. “We’ve moved on so much from large swaths of the Bible, he said. Graham responded,” God doesn’t change. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever.” But Morgan had revealed the very heart of the world’s spiritual problem: Without the authority and reliability of God’s Word we would all be without hope.”

And this is why the church of Jesus will continue—we all need hope.

Just reflect for a moment, from where does your hope come?  Psalm 121 “I lift up my eyes to the hills- from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth?”

Our hope is in Christ Jesus for he will guide and lead us today, tomorrow and into the future. Are you willing to learn more about Christ and follow where He leads? This is the future church in action. Come and connect- know that God loves you!