Hummingbird Ministries

It has been a momentous year for the Hummingbird Ministries as we walk with Aboriginal people towards spiritual and emotional recovery and with the Church and others towards developing a good neighbour relationship with Aboriginal people.

The BIG news this year was Mary Fontaine’s ordination to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in May at Mistawasis First Nation, Saskatchewan and the wonderful celebration in June at the Tsawwassen First Nation in Delta, British Colombia where her service was recognized. Hummingbird Ministries is delighted at how Mary’s ordination will enhance this ministry in all ways.

Hummingbird’s various ministries are thriving. The healing circles that happen throughout the year are helping restore hope, freedom and justice for Aboriginal people. At all circles, a talking stick or a rock or a feather is passed around in a clockwise direction. The person holding the object speaks and the others listen until it is their turn.

The Wai Wah Aboriginal Sports & Recreation project is providing healthy alternatives for Aboriginal youth. In August the project sponsored several Aboriginal athletes from Sechelt, Sliammon and Richmond to attend the North American Indigenous Games, where they went on to win gold, silver and bronze medals! The Presbyterial of Westminster made a significant donation towards the Youth Cultural Recovery project – an ongoing work. Our Aboriginal Leadership in Ministry project helps us listen to the voices of Aboriginal people concerning ministry, theology and Aboriginal cultures.

Hummingbird’s various ministries are thriving. The healing circles that happen throughout the year are helping restore hope, freedom and justice for Aboriginal people.

In the fall, Mary Fontaine and Ruth Adams of the Tsawwassen First Nation began the Kids Crafts and Musical Kids projects. The projects are helping children have fun, build some “small business” skills from selling the crafts, and building communities with a common purpose. Our volunteer musician Marcia Meyer’s basic music and voice lessons are helping boys see that singing is more than just yelling! We actually got them to sing carols for the annual Christmas Circle!

For Hummingbird Ministries Council, our significant achievement in 2008 was guiding the Ministries toward financial and administrative independence. Our thanks go to the people of our “first home,” Central Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, for honoring Mary’s vision for this ministry and for their administrative support. We are grateful for all the groups and individuals who provided financial support with a special thanks to Canada Ministries, which provides the core of our funding through Presbyterians Sharing. Toward our goal of further financial independence, we are inviting a wider “Friends Circle” of supporters to become regular donors.

May the blessings of God, in the service of Christ for the well-being of the world, be with us all.

— The Reverend Mary Fontaine, Director, and Pat Dutcher-Walls, Convener