Healing and Reconciliation
All this from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
What's new
- The Gillespie sisters and File Hills Residential School, a paper by The Rev. Peter Bush
- Visit the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's website
- The Moderator of the 136th General Assembly, Rev. Dr. Herb Gale, attended the first national Truth and Reconciliation Event in Winnipeg, MB, June 17-20, 2010. Click here to read his blog.
About H&R
At the heart of the Healing and Reconciliation ministry is the belief that society will be transformed for the better when Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people develop a new understanding of each other and build a new relationship founded on mutual respect and love of neighbour. Healing is required to overcome the legacy of misunderstanding.
The approach is simple: local church members and groups are encouraged to reach out and get to know their Aboriginal neighbours. Click here to read more.
Fifteen Presbyterians attending an ecumenical conference in Orillia, ON, November 19-21, 2009. Participants learned how to lead educational and relationship building initiatives between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and to support the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Funding
Healing and Reconciliation Seed Fund
The Healing and Reconciliation program offers funding up to $5000 for Presbyterians wishing to build relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
Native Ministries Fund
This fund is specifically for Canadian Presbyterian Native Ministries. It was established for those represented on the National Native Ministries Committee of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Local Relationship Building
The Healing and Reconciliation program offers funding up to $5000 for Presbyterians wishing to build relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. You may wish to invite an Aboriginal Elder to speak with a small group, or organize a trip to a local Native Friendship Centre. Click here for ideas for getting started.
Click the links below to read about relationship building initiatives:
- Healing and reconciliation story from St. John's Presbyterian Church, Bradford ON. Read from "Schools share their cultures."
- St. Paul's Presbyterian Church reaches out to Native Canadian Centre (Bramalea, ON)
- The Inuit Residential School Experience, St. Andrew's, Knox and St. Giles Presbyterian Churches (Ottawa, ON)
- Returning to Spirit Workshop (Alberta)
- Cheryl Bear Tour, Presbytery of Kamloops (British Columbia)
- Founding Stories at Riverside School: Rev. Sandy Scott and St. Paul's Presbyterian Church (Prince Albert, SK)
- National Aboriginal Day: Our Voice, Our Culture, Our Community, Aboriginal Youth Video Project, Richmond Youth Services Agency, British Columbia
- Rev. Marty Molengraaf, Duff’s Presbyterian Church, Guelph Ontario
- The Creation of Friendship, Rev. Jonathan Kwon and Trinity Presbyterian Church (Grenfell, SK)
- National Aboriginal Day Event, Richmond Youth Service Agency (Richmond, BC)
- Rev. Susan Samuel and the Presbytery of Grey-Bruce-Maitland (ON)
Liturgical Resources
Liturgical resources, including suggested orders of service, sermon illustrations, church school activities, bible study, and prayers are available in two liturgical resources.
Legacy of Residential Schools
- The Confession of 1994
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Remembering the Children: Aboriginal and Church Leaders’ Tour
- The Presbyterian Church in Canada Implementing the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
- The Presbyterian Church in Canada Addressing Issues of Aboriginal Rights and the Legacy of Residential Schools, Highlights from 1992-2005
- Niigaanibatowaad: FrontRunners Study Guide
- The Gillespie sisters and File Hills Residential School, a paper by The Rev. Peter Bush
Other Resources
- Speaking Notes
- Speaking Notes from the Healing and Reconciliation Program Animator at the Charles H. MacDonald Memorial Lecture (October 14, 2009), Knox College, Toronto ON