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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Top PC(USA) News of the Week: Atwood Institute, Immigration Justice, FPC of Davenport, Second American Revolution, & PL&W Board Members Share their Stories

Week of September 21 - 25, 2026

Presbyterian peace leader: Gun violence prevention is our lane Third annual Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage reasserts the church’s role in gun-violence prevention

Syrian-Armenian PC(USA) pastor faces ministry disruption after TPS termination Thousands lose legal residency in the US as the Department of Homeland Security terminates Syria’s protected status

From demolition to welcome First Presbyterian Church of Davenport, Iowa, helps refugee families find home again

Berea Presbyterian Church and the Second American Revolution The Rev. Carl Safford Dudley and his church's witness for justice in the 1960s and 70s

Presbyterian Life & Witness Board members share their stories Two who hail from Puerto Rico say they’re excited to help host the 228th General Assembly in 2028

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

RNS Morning Report - Pope Leo says existential concerns about AI 'should be taken seriously'

Top Stories Pope Leo says existential concerns about AI ‘should be taken seriously’ ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (RNS) — 'If someone were to ask me, am I in panic mode? No, I sleep at night,' the pope said. But, he doesn’t believe the warnings regarding AI are 'fake news, as some have said.' Megachurch pastor Craig Groeschel follows Tim Tebow in suspending ties to Life Surge (RNS) — An investigation by podcaster Pablo Torre and Mother Jones magazine alleged that Life Surge, which runs Christian leadership and wealth events featuring sports stars and Christian celebrities, pressured attendees into taking on tens of thousands in debt. Pope Leo warns: Invoking God to justify war is to ‘profane’ his name METZ, France (RNS) — On his final day in France, Pope Leo XIV urged European leaders to uphold multilateralism and international law and reject the 'illusion' of rearmament. Opinion Israel is not an etrog. It doesn’t have to be flawless to be legitimate. (RNS) — A funny cartoon makes a point: Who of us could hold up against such incessant scrutiny? The enigmatic Bayeux Tapestry — a bothsidesism for the ages (RNS) — The monks' efforts were not employed, as today, to rationalize bad behavior on one's own side, but as bona fide criticism of both. ICYMI At Lourdes healing shrine, Pope Leo addresses ‘wounds’ of clerical abuse LOURDES, France (RNS) — With clerical abuse scandals and the Vatican trial of the Rev. Marko Rupnik looming over the pope's visit to France, Leo encouraged the church to 'have the courage' to recognize its failures, while calling on bishops to remain vigilant. Pope Leo welcomes French converts and wades into liturgy debate PARIS (RNS) — As France sees a surge in adult and youth baptisms, Pope Leo XIV urged the church to welcome new Catholics into parish life and called for reverence in worship without letting liturgical preferences divide the faithful.     Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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