Living into Right Relations: April 2022

Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice News from The United Church of Canada General Council Proposal NIC – 01: Restructuring the Indigenous Church   [Image credit: United Church of Canada]   The Indigenous Church, building on decisions made at National Indigenous Spiritual gatherings in 2017 and 2019, as well as GC42 and GC43, continues to move forward in self-determination. You can learn more about proposal NIC-01, either by reviewing the General Council Information Session 1, or by joining members of the National Indigenous Council in a live community discussion on Wednesday, May 11, at 7:00 p.m. EDT. To register and receive the Zoom link, please contact Lizbeth Villegas at Indigenous Ministries and Justice. You can also download a copy of the proposal here. Learning Circle Brings Ministry Students Together   Hybrid Learning Circle  [Image credit: Centre For Christian Studies]   Two United Church of Canada theological schools in Manitoba collaborated to offer the Right Relations Learning Circle in October 2021. Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre (SSSC) and the Centre for Christian Studies, specializing in Indigenous and Diaconal ministries respectively, organized the three-day intensive session for 25 students. Some participants were physically present at SSSC and others were present online. Responding to TRC Call to Action 60, the joint session began with an “At the Wood’s Edge” ceremony as the Indigenous and non-Indigenous students encountered each other and began both to confront the wounds of their historical relationship and to wrestle with how to achieve meaningful reconciliation. Ceremony was a focus throughout. Effort was made to do more that talk “about” relationship by introducing the students to forms of peacemaking and relationship-building based on a holistic worldview and Indigenous values: the significance of land and place, of creation and non-human relations—the foundation of gratitude and humility. Staff from both theological schools left feeling that the Right Relations Learning Circle had been more than worthwhile for all involved. New! Extended Deadline for Justice and Reconciliation Applications! The Manitoba Learning Circle was supported in part by the Justice and Reconciliation Fund. This year, in addition to the regular March 15 and September 15 application deadlines, there is opportunity to make applications to the Fund by May 15, 2022. For more information, contact Lori Ransom. Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube Donate to The United Church of Canada and help fund life changing work around the world!

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