Editor’s Note: As we transition into the season of gratitude, we acknowledge for some it is not an easy one. You may be dealing with a personal crisis or affected by the many world-wide events currently happening. We hope this repost of Lynne Baab’s post on grief and gratitude will encourage and nourish you in the midst.
by Lynne Baab
I was raised by a hyper-optimistic mother. All problems, she believed, should be faced with an upbeat attitude. Grief was okay – as long as it was brief. And grieving was limited to deaths of loved ones and major catastrophes.
As a young adult I discovered Jeremiah’s sadness and angst. He experienced and expressed emotions I had always considered to be negative, and his honesty before God felt soothing and healing. Later the wild and passionate emotions of the Psalms gave me further permission to experience a wide variety of feelings, including sadness and anger, and to bring those emotions into God’s presence.
My journey of learning how to deal with “negative” emotions was further enhanced in 2019, when I came across a quotation by psychotherapist Francis Weller: “The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them.” Godspace’s curator Christine Sine wrote a post about the quotation from Weller last month. She mentions that she first heard the quotation in a book that she found very valuable. That book is now out – Two Hands: Grief and Gratitude in the Christian Life – and I am the author.
The book is the fruit of two years of pondering and trying to learn to live with grief in one hand and gratitude in the other, and to allow myself to be stretched large by both of them. One of my major insights is that the very nature of the Christian Gospel involves both grief and gratitude. We grieve the brokenness and pain in our world that made it necessary for Jesus to come to earth, and we rejoice and give thanks that he did. We juxtapose this grief and gratitude every time we have Holy Communion. We hold grief in one hand and gratitude in the other simultaneously.
In pondering this picture of two hands, I spent a lot of time in the psalms, where a pattern of pain/anger/grief almost always shifts to thanks/praise. I am fascinated by the pivot points in many psalms of lament. These pivot points make clear that sometimes the grief hand is quite heavy and full, and other times the thankfulness hand predominates.
Psalm 77 begins with expressions of sadness and pain, and then in verse 10 the psalm writer describes the way their perspective has changed: “And I say, ‘It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.’” The second half of the psalm is filled with thanks and praise.
So often when we are grieving we feel that God is distant and uninvolved. Psalm 10 begins with 13 verses of anger and grief about the prosperity of the wicked. Then in verse 14 the psalm writer expresses great joy at God’s involvement in human life: “But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief, that you may take it into your hands; the helpless commit themselves to you.”
In this journey of grief and gratitude, I have learned that the extreme optimism I was raised with has continued to influence me. I have a strong practice of thankfulness that my husband and I began more than 25 years ago, and the consistent practice of gratitude has been transforming. This recent journey focused on two hands has revealed that deep inside, I always expected that if I could only be thankful enough, then I wouldn’t feel sad about anything. Finding so many places where grief and gratitude are juxtaposed in the Bible has helped me understand that grief will always be a significant factor in human life on earth simply because our brokenness is so profound. We can honestly grieve human pain and selfishness, as well as natural disasters and nasty viruses, while we also give thanks for God’s amazing gifts: the fresh air after a rain, the soft fur on a kitten or puppy, the sweetness of fresh fruit, a glorious sunset, the delights of a good novel, an interesting conversation with friends, the hug of a child.
I am hoping churches might recommend my book for Advent or Lent, since the themes fit those church seasons so well. Each chapter has discussion questions, so small groups can discuss it. I’ll close with Christine Sine’s endorsement for my book, a thrilling affirmation that this journey I’ve been on will be helpful for others, too.
“Two Hands: Grief and Gratitude in the Christian Life is one of the most important books I have read in the last few months. I have long been an advocate for gratitude as a way of life, but Lynne Baab helped me understand that grief is just as important and often the missing element in our practices. We all need a better understanding of how grief and gratitude intertwine in a healthy life. This is a must-read book for everyone as we emerge from the challenges of the COVID pandemic.”
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by Elaine Breckenridge, featured photo Dancing Monk Icon by Marcy Hall and © Abbey of the Arts, used with permission
Since his death in 1226, and his canonization in 1228, the legacy of St. Francis lives on. He is so compelling that you can walk into any number of home improvement stores or plant nurseries, and buy a statute of his likeness for your garden. He is associated with all of creation, the elements and animals. This contemporary icon of Francis pictures him with a fox, a salmon and a bird.
Francis is famous for saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” He did just that at a cathedral on Christmas Eve, 1223. Francis brought in a donkey, sheep and cows; a manger, a newborn baby and a young woman and man, and set up the first living nativity scene in history. It was the forerunner to the Christmas crèche–still enacted in Christmas pageants and a sacred commodity that can be purchased in numerous places.
On that Christmas Eve, Francis was making a not-so-subtle statement. For Francis, the world looked like the Garden of Eden. Remember that the church in the time of Francis believed that creation itself was sinful and evil. The perspective of Francis was radically different. By bringing animals into the church, he made it clear that creation itself was and is sacred. All things, whether living or inanimate, reflected God the Creator’s love and were thus due reverence and wonder.
In this spirit many Christian Churches have practiced gathering people and animals together around the time of the Feast of St. Francis to bless both pets and animals. Perhaps many of you will have an opportunity to take your pet to church for a blessing. Some churches invite people to bring their pets right into the building for the church service. Some do not. Many churches hold their pet blessings before or after the regular church service and it can be difficult to leave a pet in the car for that length of time. Or perhaps you own farm animals and they are bit more difficult to bring to church. Or perhaps you are not a member of a church community that offers a blessing for animals.
I wonder, why not offer a blessing of your pets and animals at home? One does not have to be an ordained minister to bless animals. St. Francis was certainly not.
Francis is so revered as a Saint that many forget he was never ordained a priest or bishop in the Roman Catholic Church of his time. He founded a religious order and the lay people took vows, but Francis always considered that the world was his monastery, not the walls in which he lived and prayed. On the icon pictured above, the words “The world is my monastery” are attributed to St. Francis. (Christine Valters Paintner, Illuminating the Way, Embracing the Wisdom of Monks and Mystics p. 3) It was only after his death that the Franciscan Order came under the full authority of the church.
In the spirit of St. Francis, I hope you will have some opportunity to have your animals blessed at church or at home this week. And if you need some words for a ritual and blessing at home, I offer a liturgy that I have put together for your use.
Think of it as a template. It is meant to be flexible and can be used by an individual, or in a community with a designated or shared leadership. It is intentionally brief keeping in mind that a gathering could include many animals and children! And yet it can be shortened or lengthened if you have elements that you would like to add. You have my blessing to use it in any way you wish. But, I ask you not to publish it as I plan do to so in the future.
Of course, there are other ways to celebrate the life of St. Francis. If you do not own a pet, you may choose to bless a beloved plant or favorite tree. You could watch a sunrise or sunset in his name or take a contemplative walk giving thanks for the elements, the landscape and all that you see on that walk.
However we may choose to celebrate the life of St. Francis, may we remember that blessing creation, is to name it as good. As we do so we express our gratitude and love for God, the Creator of all that is.
* * *
A FORM OF BLESSING FOR ANIMALS
Glorious God, we give you greeting!
Let Sister Earth and Brother Sun praise you
Let the fields and forests praise you
Let the birds and beasts praise you
Let everything that has breath praise you,
Mother and Father of all that has being.
– A Holy Island Prayer Book by Ray Simpson p. 37
A Reading from the Book of Genesis
God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So, God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind and the cattle of every kind and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:20-24)
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s People.
People: Thanks be to God.
A Reading from the Christian Tradition
If I were alone in a desert and feeling afraid, I would want an animal to be with me. For then my fear would disappear and I would be made strong. This is what life in itself can do because it is so noble, so full of pleasure and so powerful. Therefore, let those who bring about wonderful things take an animal to help them. The life within the animal will give them strength in turn. For equality gives strength, in all things and at all times.
-Meister Eckhart, “Benediction for the Animals,” in Earth Prayers, p. 253.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s People.
People: Thanks be to God.
Individual blessings may be offered over each animal and it may be touched if appropriate using these words:
“Peace be with you, my friend.”
When all the animals have been blessed, the people may say to one another,
“Peace be with you, my friend.”
Final Prayer of Blessing
Blessed are you Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the seas, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We give you thanks for all these animals and those who care for them. By the power of your love, enable them and all of us to live in peace. Amen.
Glory to you, O God for all of your creation. May we sing your praises and give you thanks forever. Amen.
© The Rev. Elaine H. Breckenridge
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Explore the wonderful ways that God and God’s story are revealed through the rhythms of planting, growing, and harvesting. Spiritual insights, practical advice for organic backyard gardeners, and time for reflection will enrich and deepen faith–sign up for 180 days of access to work at your own pace and get ready for your gardening season.
It’s been a hard week. First the devastating floods in Pakistan, the horrifying impact of Hurricane Ian in Cuba and Florida, and growing fears of a global recession that sent stock markets crashing and brought the fear of poverty and hunger into poor families everywhere. On a personal level it seems every time I turn round I hear of another friend or family member who has COVID or cancer.
It’s challenging in the midst of all of this to introduce our new theme Gratitude as Guests of the World. As many of you know, October and November have long been my gratitude months, instituted several years ago as a season of thanksgiving that spans Canadian and American Thanksgiving. However as Norm Wirzba says in his new book Agrarian Spirit, ”For gratitude to be effective and take hold in our world, it has to touch kindling and catch fire. Generosity is the fire that is sparked by gratitude.” Seeing ourselves as guests of the world and hosts to the world is an effective way to kindle the fire and create the atmosphere of generosity and gratitude so necessary for us and all creation to flourish and for those of us who have resources to reach out and help those who have none.
How do we accomplish this? One of my favourite practices which propel me into my season of gratitude is setting up a new contemplative garden. Over the last couple of weeks I gathered gifted items that really make me feel like a guest in our world. I admired the beautiful giant clam shell given to me a few weeks ago specifically to use in one of my contemplative gardens. I added some of my favourite shells and barnacle-encrusted memorabilia gifted by the sea during my beach combing expeditions, a small icon of St Drogo, the patron saint of coffee, which gives me a huge lift every time I look at it and a couple of tiny tea cups. To these I added plants received as gifts and a few ornaments given to me around the world. The trouble with this garden is that I have so many gifted items that hold a special place in my heart, that I did not know what to display.
As I put my garden together, admiring each item and remembering the stories that go with them, my sense of gratitude grew until it was like a fire that wanted to burst out and sweep the world with generosity. I am indeed a guest in this world and a very special guest at that. I am also called to be a host to all those who suffer and are in need of my generosity. “Freely you have received, freely give.” Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:8. The following verses are very much about being guests in the world as the disciples are encouraged to go out without money or extra clothing or a place to stay. Everything they receive will be a gift. Now I know, I am stretching the interpretation of this passage when I suggest that every gift we receive should be viewed in this light but the way generosity bubbles up inside me when I admire the gifts given to me, makes me think that every gift should be viewed in this light.
As I sit and admire my garden today, I think of Lilly Lewin, sitting in her hotel room in Budapest in COVID isolation and asking herself what she calls the pilgrim question: What are the gifts of today? then adding the question What are the gifts you are grateful for today (FreerangeFriday: What are the gifts of today?)? When we see ourselves as guests of the world it is so much easier to count the gifts that are abundant around us. In fact I find that this attitude makes me live in anticipation of God’s gifts, and has me hyper-aware, watching and waiting to see what God will gift me with next. And then, in the spirit of “pay-it-forward”, I want to gift others too. Recognizing the gifts of God overflowing around us is a wonderful way to start a season of gratitude and generosity.
Take time to walk around your house today and note items gifted to you. Stop and look at them. If they are small, pick them up and hold them in your hands. What is special about each item? What memories do they evoke? Sit and immerse yourself in these memories for a couple of minutes. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a guest being overwhelmed with special gifts from God. What is the response that bubbles up within you?
Christine Sine and Lilly Lewin inspire ways to get geared up for the coming season of gratitude in this popular online course! Sign up for 180 days to enjoy this retreat at your own pace – including craft tutorials and print-outs plus much more. Check it out in our shop!
A contemplative service with music in the spirit of Taize. Carrie Grace Littauer, prayer leader, with music by Kester Limner and Andy Myers.
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-710-756.
Thank you for praying with us!
by Tom Sine Featured Photo by Cynthia Friesen Coyle*
I am so appreciative of Christine’s invitation to rediscover the gift of hospitality in these pandemic times. I also welcome the opportunity to share some important insights about the gift of hospitality in the first-century Christian community. I discovered these important insights in the important book Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition by Christine Pohl.
First, I was surprised and impressed to learn that the first-century church gathered in a new form of community that the world had never seen before. This community of the followers of Jesus became a new form of family comprised of people from different races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Essentially this new family of Jesus congregated in homes and residential communities that not only worshiped together and cared for one another – they also actively reached out to those in need that lived in their larger community. I doubt the world had ever seen this kind of community care for neighbors in need.
Christine Pohl stated “the early church regularly met for worship in the household of believers. In such a location hospitality was a natural and necessary practice. It helped to foster family-like ties among believers and provided a setting in which to shape and reinforces a new identity”p.32
Extending hospitality to strangers who were struggling is one of the primary distinguishing characteristics of the early church from the surrounding environment. “Writings from the first five centuries demonstrating the hospitality in defining the church as a universal community…in providing care for the poor the stranger and sick.”P33
Unfortunately, as a consequence of the ongoing Covid Crisis churches today, in many western countries are suffering a crippling decline not only in attendance and giving, but increasingly in reaching out to our neighbors locally and globally.
Thankfully, however, there are still some churches creating innovative ways to provide for neighbors in need locally and globally. The Mennonite Church has created one remarkable form of empowerment that is having an impact on their neighbors not only in North America but also on the lives of our most vulnerable global neighbors as well.
The Mennonite Church in the United States and Canada have launched a campaign to counter both the growing environmental crisis and declining economic crisis of our poorest neighbors.
They have set the goal of planting one million trees not only in the US and Canada but Latin America and the African continent as well. Mennonite Church USA NEWS “Tree Planting Initiative” December 9, 2020
I realize that planting a million trees may not be within reach for your denomination. However there are some modest ways that those in your congregation could help.
One of the characteristics of our poorest neighborhoods in the US, that we have recently have been learning about, is that they have virtually no shade or fruit tress in their neighborhoods. Could your church, possibly with churches in those neighborhoods, start planting some fruit trees and shade trees? In the past decade I have seen a number of mainline churches, invite retired neighbors and those and those being hammered by the pandemic to sign up for a plot in their community garden. Is that within reach in your church? What impact could it have for those struggling where you live, if your struggling congregation joined others in creating one new venture tree planting or community garden projects?
This is your invitation to invite members of your congregation to experience what that first generation of the family of Jesus did in hospitality. This is your invitation to join those that are discovering the satisfaction of collaborating with our struggling neighbors to make a real difference in times like these
We would love to learn how you and your church collaborate with other congregations in creating innovative opportunities, taking time and resources to express the hospitality of Jesus as we race into our turbulent tomorrows. We would love to share some of your innovative examples of the hospitality of the community of Christ in your neighborhood. Send your examples of community empowerment.
We will post some of your examples of neighborhood engagement to motivate other congregations in the turbulent 2020s.
Tom Sine twsine@gmail.com check out: 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change
*Photo by Cynthia Friesen Coyle, from the Mennonite Men JoinTrees project: “Another 412 trees were recently planted along the Indiana Toll Road in two separate projects. This is the second year in a row that Mennonite Men teamed up with Indiana Toll Road to plant trees in open areas along the interstate. We look forward to another project next spring and hope this work promotes the establishment of trees along our highways to add beauty, reduce mowing, support biodiversity, and sequester carbon. To explore projects like this in your area, contact Steve Thomas at SteveT@MennoniteMen.org.”
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Did you know? Godspace has many resources available for the season of Autumn and the season of Thanksgiving! From harvest helps and reflections, holiday guides, an online retreat, litanies/liturgies, prayers, and more – check it out on our Seasons & Blessings page!
Here we are on the last day of September! How are you doing?
I’m sitting in a hotel in Budapest Hungary waiting on an official covid tester. On Tuesday when we arrived at our hotel, I decided to do an at-home test since I’d been feeling poorly. I tested positive for covid for the first time in over two years! Not how I’d planned to spend the final days of our anniversary holiday/trip. In Budapest, you must quarantine for at least five days and I need an ‘official test” to prove to the insurance company and travel people that I’m really sick so they will allow us to fly home a different day rather than this morning. In Budapest, when you are sick in a hotel, the tester comes to you! You must pay for the test and there is a fee for the tester to come to you, but they really do want you to quarantine!
Yesterday I was NOT happy about this! Yesterday was spent talking to travel company representatives who didn’t know much, trying to figure out when we could fly back home and what the actual protocols are for getting on a plane after testing positive. Sadly it’s a “free for all” in most countries so lots of people are flying sick! I knew that with my fever and cough I wouldn’t want to fly even if it wasn’t covid! And it makes me sad and angry that people ARE choosing to fly while sick! My brain was foggy and sneezing and coughing didn’t give me much grace for myself or others.
I had to stop and ask the Pilgrimage Question: WHAT ARE THE GIFTS?
There really are so many!
1. TRAVEL AGENT TERRY I am grateful for our travel agent Terry back in the states. She did the real work behind the scenes to help us navigate details with the travel company and since she is 9 hours behind us, answered our texts late at night and early in the morning!
2. GREAT HOTEL I am grateful to our hotel for letting us stay in the same room and for organizing the testing and sending up room service and providing the things we cannot get for ourselves. They have shown hospitality and kindness after two years of pandemic practice!
3. RAIN ! I am grateful that it’s raining and supposed to rain all weekend. The Rain makes it easier to stay in and rest! Not much fun to travel or sightsee in pouring down rain so I have less FOMO ( fear of missing out : ))
4. FEVER BREAKING! My fever broke last night so hopefully I am on the mend. Grateful that I travel with an abundance of advil, tylenol and over the counter meds that have helped greatly!
5. PEACE. Early in the pandemic, I was terrified of getting covid. I have anxiety and depression and the uncertainty of the disease before vaccines and boosters totally shut me down. I was in a very dark place. So I am SO GRATEFUL to be peaceful rather than anxious!
6. FRIENDS WHO PRAY! So grateful for all the friends who are praying for us!
7. TIME…this extended stay is actually the gift of time to REST, time to HEAL. There are no dishes to wash, dogs to walk, or things I have to do like if I was in my own house. I get to stay inside and REST! I get to have time to just BE! I get time to take my own advice and remember that #RESTisHOLY
What are the GIFTS you are grateful for today?
What do you “GET TO DO” rather than “have to” DO today?
Today I GET to REST! Today I get to be with Jesus. Today I get to pray for my friends digging out form the hurricane in Florida. Today I get to love my husband as he coughs and sneezes too!
Today I GET TO REST in the great hands of God who loves me so much, just as I am in my pjs and with my kleenex box by my side!
The gospel reading for this weekend comes from Luke 17″ 5-10 . Check out Father Richard Rohr’s sermon on this scripture. It is an encouraging word for all of us!
LITTLE FAITH might be better than Big Fatih
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:5-6
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com
LAST CHANCE!!!!
We are collecting recipes across our Godspace community for our first-ever cookbook. Send your recipe written in your own words, where it came from, and why it’s special to you to godspacelight@gmail.com – if you send 3 or more recipes in, you will receive a FREE digital copy of the finished cookbook! For more information check out this post: https://godspacelight.com/2022/08/03/the-great-godspace-cookbook-gathering/
“Ka-kí-kiskéyihtétan óma, namoya kinwés maka aciyowés pohko óma óta ka-hayayak wasétam askihk, ékwa ka-kakwéy miskétan kiskéyihtamowin, iyinísiwin, kistéyitowin, mina nánisitotatowin kakiya ayisiniwak, ékosi óma kakiya ka-wahkotowak.”
“Realize that we as human beings have been put on this earth for only a short time and that we must use this time to gain wisdom, knowledge, respect and the understanding for all human beings since we are all relatives.”
Cree Proverb
Opening a YouTube discussion for the Canadian National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Kelly Frank Davis explained the basic philosophy of the good mind she was taught by an elder. ‘The word that comes before all else’ for the Haudensaunee people. This is an acknowledgement of everything in creation with gratitude for all it gives us.
This practice thanks the four families of the earth; the animal kingdom, plant life, mineral life and us “poor pitiful human beings.” Davis explains that the man who taught her the philosophy noted we are pitiful as we cannot survive without those three other families, who do fine without us.
The philosophy is used to open gatherings and meetings to raise minds to a divine place of gratitude and appreciation and optimism, giving thanks for the sunshine and the waters flowing, for the birds singing, for the animals who provide sustenance for us. Davis has heard this opening last up to 90 minutes. After each thank you, the speaker will say “now our minds are one.” Listeners are meant to focus only on gratitude and what the person giving the message is sharing. This state of “the good mind” is considered the most powerful mindset a person can have to get down to the business at hand.
May we learn this focus. It will help us understand the depth of hurt done to our aboriginal peoples and the way to truth and reconciliation.
September 30th has been known as Orange Shirt Day in Canada since 1973, in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to our aboriginal children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, and as an affirmation of the Orange Shirt Society’s commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters. In 2021 Canada celebrated the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. This year’s theme is Remembering the Children.
A young girl stood facing the large, gray stone building. Phyllis was wearing her new bright and silky orange shirt laced up the front. She had gone to Robinson’s Department store to buy the shirt, with her grandmother, for the first day of school. They had never had much money, but Granny had managed to purchase the beautiful shirt for Phyllis’ first day at St Joseph Mission School just outside of Williams Lake, British Columbia in 1973. She was so very excited.
Quickly excitement gave way to horror as the teachers at the school stripped little Phyllis and took away all her clothes, including the beloved orange shirt. She would never see or wear the shirt again. The six-year-old did not understand why they would not give the shirt back to her. It was hers!
From that day to this, the color orange always reminds her of that loss and how her feelings didn’t matter. How no one cared and she felt like she had no value. All the children were crying that day, and no one cared.
Phyllis Webstad is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She comes from mixed Secwepemc and Irish/French heritage, was born in Dog Creek, Manitoba, and lives in Williams Lake, BC. Today, Phyllis is married, has one son, a stepson and five grandchildren. She is the Founder and Ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society and tours the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system. She has now published two books, the “Orange Shirt Story” and “Phyllis’s Orange Shirt” for younger children.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was officially launched in Canada, June 2, 2008, as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement which came into effect in September 2007. This Commission was charged with raising awareness of the plight of those who had been dragged from their homes and at the ages of five-17 and were forced by law, for 100 years, to attend residential schools. Former residents slowly released their stories of not being allowed to speak their native languages under threat of physical harm and abuse. They were not allowed their own names and in many cases were assigned numbers instead. Many tales of food shortages and escape attempts began to surface. The children we beaten and tales of sexual abuse and being cruelly restrained horrified those who were writing down their stories.
On May 27th, 2021, the world learned that unmarked graves containing the bodies of 215 individuals, some as young as three, had been discovered on the grounds of the former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. The stories of physical, emotional and sexual abuse were now mainstream news.
Ancaster Village Church is the church I am proud to call home, here in the Hamilton region of Ontario. This land is located on the lands promised to the Six Nations of the Grand River, the largest Indian reserve in Canada with 12,757 people.
Each Sunday we acknowledge that we meet on Treaty 3 (1792) lands of the Haudenosaunee Six Nations People. We are learning what it means to be good stewards of these shared lands. And we are committed to reconciliation. Each week one of the 94 calls to action, which came out of the TRC’s work, is read aloud. These cover all areas of life, and the rights afforded each Canadian citizen. I read number four as we began this practice at church. “We call upon all levels of government to fully implement Jordan’s Principle.”
Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, was born with complex medical needs. He received special treatment in a Winnipeg hospital for over two years. When doctors finally cleared him to return home to his reserve, disputes erupted over which level of government would pay for the in-home care—federal or provincial—and Jordan was forced to spend more than two more years in the Winnipeg hospital, where he died at five years of age, in 2005, without ever having seen his home.
And so, we pray. For the children, known and unknown, present and past, who have suffered the legacy of so many atrocities.
We pray for truth. We pray for reconciliation. We pray for forgiveness. We pray for justice. We pray we too may practice this philosophy of the good mind, the renewal of our minds as outlined in Romans 12:2, to transform our thinking and to make us pliable in the hands of the Great Potter who called us to love all peoples and suffer the little children to come to him.
Residential schools were designed to force aboriginal children into Christianity. They already knew its tenets more deeply than those who sought to convert them. They learned them at the knees of their parents and grandparents, who taught them respect for all things on the traplines, while tending to the earth and gazing at the moon.
We apologize as we pray: Father, forgive those who thought they knew better.
We all need the Wholeness of God…this resource includes reflections and activities for coping and thriving during the COVID-19 challenges in search of shalom as well as hope for restoration during and after this period of social distancing.
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