E-ssentials Special Edition: Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation [Image credit: ID 22674444 © Dreamstime]   Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, is a time to remember and honour Indigenous children who were taken from their communities and families to residential institutions.   Every year on Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we wear an Orange Shirt to remember children like Phyllis Webstad whose beautiful and special orange shirt was taken from her when she entered residential school. We remember children who didn’t return home, we remember survivors and their families who suffer with intergenerational trauma stemming from this system.    The United Church is responsible for 15 residential schools operated between 1849 and 1969. About 6.7% of the approximately 80,000 residential school students still alive today attended United Church schools.  In 1998, the church apologized specifically for its role in Indian Residential Schools, and since 2008 has been actively engaged in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), which was created to address the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools.  On our website, you can find out more about The United Church of Canada's ongoing work toward Truth and Reconciliation, along with ways individuals and communities of faith can practice reconciliation and work for Indigenous justice. Moderator Kimberly Heath has also shared a message for Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. You can watch and share the Moderator’s message as we reflect on the ongoing journey toward truth, reconciliation, and healing. Creator and Sustainer of Life  Grant us Grace and Mercy for the difficult journey ahead  We seek to repair our past, going forward on a shared road of blessing and goodwill.  Lord Hear Our Prayer  Grant us Peace and Knowledge to know your ways  We seek a new path that supports those in need and those who struggle in these times.  Lord Hear Our Prayer  Grant us Purpose and Commitment to make collective choices  We seek to act for the care of our neighbours, and for the wellbeing of our communities.  Lord Hear Our Prayer  May we contend with our history in healing ways  May we seek a new unity and the promise of a new beginning.   Lord Hear Our Prayer  —prayer from a new Orange Shirt Sunday worship service by Rev. Tony Snow. You can support The United Church of Canada's reconciliation work by donating to the Healing Fund, which funds Indigenous healing initiatives around the country.  National IRS Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419 / MMIWG Crisis Line 1-844-413-6649  Worship Resources See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. Creation Time 4 - October 4, 2026 World Communion Sunday - October 4, 2026 Creation Time 5 - October 11, 2026 Thanksgiving Sunday - October 11, 2026 International Day for the Eradiction of Poverty - October 17, 2026 Twenty-first after Pentecost- October 18, 2026 World Food Sunday - October 18, 2026 For more inspiring worship ideas and resources, subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca. Important Note: The images included in this newsletter are protected by copyright. While we encourage you to share the newsletter itself, please don't copy or use the images independently. Thanks for your understanding! Facebook Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

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Living into Right Relations: Orange Shirt Day

Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice News from The United Church of Canada ORANGE SHIRT DAY 2021   Just a reminder that Orange Shirt Day is coming up. Find out more about what’s going on in the United Church on our new permanent home for Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.   Highlights include a new message and prayer from the Moderator, a panel discussion (September 29) on Indigenous Children Then, Now, and Tomorrow, and an online candlelight vigil on September 30.   And of course, we always love to see and share your photos! 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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