Message from Light of God Ministry • Reverend Mary White
On September 30, people all across Canada will wear orange shirts to remember and honour Indigenous children who were taken from their communities and families to residential institutions.
This year, Indigenous communities across the country continue to share the truth they have always known: that many of the children who never returned home remain on the grounds of those institutions in unmarked burial sites. These communities are now seeking to honour the missing children.
On Orange Shirt Day we also observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For non-Indigenous Christians in particular, this is a time to reflect on their role in colonialism and the ongoing responsibility to make reparations.
– United Church of Canada (website)
With Love,
Rev. Mary
Bible Conversations with Mary White
An opportunity for contemplation, discussion and fellowship.
Meetings are being held in Trinity Hall on Wednesdays at 10am.
You are warmly invited.
All Are Welcome With Love • In-person Worship Sundays at 11am
Dear Friends:
This week we are honouring the experiences of Residential School survivors and remembering children and youth who did not survive the Residential School experience by sharing Orange Shirt Day. On Friday September 30th there will be a walk from the original hospital grounds in the Townsite to Willingdon Beach Park. The walk begins at 3:30pm. I hope you will take part in this community event.
The Family Fun video this week includes a discussion about the use of cedar by the Coast Salish people, a song and some phrases shared in the ayajuthem language, as well as these songs: I'm Gonna Shout, This Land's Not Your Land, and I am Somebody.
The Parent Tot video has a discussion about balers made from cedar bark, an opportunity to learn two songs in the ayajuthem language which are Squirrel and Head and Shoulders, as well as these other songs: The More We Sing Together, From My Head Down to My Toes, and Jesus Loves Me.
Perhaps these videos will be a launching place for more discussion in your home about the importance of Orange Shirt Day. Let's keep the conversation going throughout the year, as well.
Sincerely,
Brenda Pielle
Reaching Out to Families
Powell River United Church
POEM • The Residential School Bus
A yellow caterpillar, it swallows them up.
The little brown ones, their stained faces in the windows, skinny and thick black braids, pressing hands grease the glass.
On its back the caterpillar carries hand-sewn canvas bags.
Outside against the evening sun the mothers, the fathers, shrink.
They cannot look at the yellow caterpillar.
The building is huge with long white empty hallways.
A child walks softly, the echo runs ahead of her.
The smell of Lysol and floor wax overwhelms the memory of wood smoke and dirt floors.
They line up for breakfast and receive wonderful bowls of porridge.
She loves porridge.
Her mama always made her porridge.
She looks up and sees her favourite brother.
Ivan’s ears look like two gliding hawks.
They’ve given him a crew cut.
Charlie the eldest brother is in the big boy’s room.
She doesn’t see him and doesn’t care.
Her eyes linger on Ivan. They smile.
She swallows the porridge.
Excerpt from Sôhkêyihta: The Poetry of Sky Dancer,
Louise Bernice Halfe (Laurier Poetry)
U.C. Women 1962–2021 Legacy • Honourary Service Sunday Sept. 25th
Closing Prayer from
The United Church Women
And now, go with us, God into the days ahead. Strengthen us for peace. Give us wisdom, keep us humble, and may we live and work together, and so striving, build a new and better world for tomorrow.
Amen
READING
As I write this, I think about my mother who went to Residential School with her brothers and sisters. Did they cry themselves to sleep as well? To this day, I do not know because they have a difficult time talking about what happened to them. While growing up, I did not understand my mother’s coldness or lack of affection. In my child’s mind, I blamed myself, thinking I did something wrong. As an adult, I learned about the Indian Residential School system, and I realized this is what happened to my relatives. Until then, I harboured a deep resentment towards some of my family for what I thought were failures in their life. I wondered why I had to be born in a family with alcoholism or family violence. Although I blamed them for everything, I never understood that I was witnessing the aftermath of trauma, suffering, and cultural genocide. At that time, no one taught about Residential Schools and help was never available. We all carried that shame for many years.
After the initial shock of my realization, I began to cry. I grieved the loss of their childhood, and I grieved the loss of the family I could have known. The Indian Residential School system was an education policy by the federal government “to kill the Indian” in Native children. In listening to other survivors, I know that in order to survive Residential School, you had to be tough, and you had to be brilliant. I see evidence of this in my family’s ability to still speak the Omushkego Cree language, to hunt and trap, to be highly artistic and to tell funny stories. Despite the hardship my mother endured, she became a teacher and works hard every day to help children as she encourages them to get an education. Even though my mother still struggles at times in dealing with her emotions, I feel the warmth of her love. I know it is the strength of Creator, her spirit and her character that drives her to be the beautiful person she is today.
This year, September 30 falls on a (Friday). I invite everyone to wear an orange shirt to remember and honour all the Indigenous children who went to Residential School, and those children who died at school.
— Honarine Scott is Omushkego Cree from Fort Albany First Nation and she is the Healing Programs Coordinator in the Indigenous Ministries Circle.
For more information on Residential Schools and reconciliation, visit https://www.nctr.ca
PRUC Online Worship Service • Please Join us this Sunday, October 2nd
PRAYER
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.
May it be so.
Amen
– United Church Of Canada website