Anamiewigummig: Kenora Fellowship Centre

In narrating the significant events of the Fellowship Centre in 2008, I would like to reflect on the prologue to John’s Gospel: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” In the midst of the frustrations and turmoil of the work of mission, hope, healing and reconciliation arise out of the darkness of the cross.

On March 10th several representatives from Kenora went to the Forks in Winnipeg to attend one of the inaugural events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It was especially moving to hear Elijah Harper make a plea for the need of forgiveness, and to have Hans Kouwenberg represent the PCC. Nancy Morrison, a traditional elder from Kenora, reminded us all that the road to healing and reconciliation is arduous. Locally, this year many residential school survivors have been receiving Common Experience Payments with both positive and negative results.

The need for healing and the establishment of right relationships is still very much to the forefront.

Pippi Johnson, a local artist with specialized training in art therapy, volunteered to run a number of arts and crafts therapy sessions at the Anamiewigummig chapel. Donations from the Sunset Galleryand the Gifts of Change catalogue provided a good supply of drawing pencils, pastels, water colours and sketchbooks for the sessions. When Pippi left for the winter, one of our local street artists continued the role of mentor. People participating in the sessions have discovered the healing art can bring!

In the midst of the frustrations and turmoil of the work of mission, hope, healing and reconciliation arise out of the darkness of the cross.

We are seeking to streamline the operation of the Centre as we seek to continue the winter shelter program as well as a year-round drop-in and soup kitchen program. The overnight shelter began its tenth season in mid-November. Nine extra workers, funded in a provincial job creation program, make this work possible. We are also hopeful that another proposal, through the Homelessness Partnership Initiative of the federal government, will be approved, allowing us to continue the overnight shelter for another seven months starting this spring. Although the proposal is a one-time only funding, we see this as another step to securing core funding for year-round operation of the overnight shelter.

Last October the Synod of Manitoba & Northwestern Ontario held its annual meeting in Kenora. Many of those who attended the Synod also visited the Fellowship Centre. This helped to raise awareness and understanding of the work of the Fellowship Centre. Some Synod members also went to the residential school exhibit entitled "We
Were Taught Differently" at the Kenora museum. A Fellowship Video produced by PCC staff during our Thanksgiving Feast can now be seen on the PCC web site, www.presbyterian.ca.

We were shocked and saddened by the drowning of two people we knew well at the Kenora Harbourfront this summer. A memorial service and pancake breakfast were held for one of them at the Centre, in conjunction with a local agency. I helped conduct a funeral service with a traditional elder for the other, at a local First Nations community.

Since last summer, the Board has been planning a tour of MAC, a local Celtic musical band, to promote the work of the Fellowship Centre in various Presbyterian congregations in Southern Ontario. One of our Board members, Colin Wasacase, will do educational sessions with the tour to raise awareness and sensitivity to aboriginal issues.

— The Reverend Henry Hildebrandt, Director