ThisoutlineforaWorship/SharingCirclefocusedontheeffectsof
IndianResidentialSchools,andtheresiliencyofthesurvivors,was
developedforuseattheDreamWeavers:PartnersinMissionMeeting,
WinnipegPresbytery,February8,2014.
Inadvance
Thisprocessrequiresaleaderwhocanprovideasmudgeandofferawelcomeandhonour
song.Tobaccoshouldbegivenatthetimeofinvitingtheleadertoprovidetheseceremonies.
InadvancearrangeforeitheradigitalprojectororTVandaDVDplayerorcomputer.Besureto
havespeakersthatareadequateforthespace.Testtheequipmentinadvance.
Printsufficientcopiesofthereadingsandprayersandrecruitreaderspriortobeginning.
Inthecentreofthecircleplaceacandle,bible,smudgebowl,grandfatherrockortalkingstickand
otherappropriatesymbolsforyourgroup.Haveaboxoftissuesonhand.
Thisprocessmightstirdeepemotioninpeople.Pleasegiveconsiderationtohowyouwillhandle
pastoralneedsforthoseparticipating.
Process
SmudgingandWelcomeSong
Readings(print2copiesandrecruit2readers)
ThenPetercametoJesusandasked,“Lord,howmanytimesshallIforgivemybrotherorsisterwho
sinsagainstme?Uptoseventimes?”
Jesusanswered,“Itellyou,notseventimes,butseventy‐seventimes.” Matthew18:21‐22
Not7but77times.Howmanytimesarewetoforgive?Surely7isenough.No,comesthe
answer,try77.
Let’sturnthisaround,seeitfromtheotherside.Ifwemustbepreparedtoforgiveoverand
over,thenwealsomustbeopentoapologizingoverandover.ItisasifJesuswassaying,“A
milliontimesyoumighthavetomakeyourselfhumbleifthatiswhatittakestomake
amends.”Whowantstohearthatmessage?
ListentothesewordsspokenbyTheRightRev.BillPhipps,in1998
AsModeratorofTheUnitedChurchofCanada,Iwishtospeakthewordsthatmanypeoplehave
wantedtohearforaverylongtime.OnbehalfofTheUnitedChurchofCanada,Iapologizeforthepain
andsufferingthatourchurch'sinvolvementintheIndianResidentialSchoolsystemhascaused.We
areawareofsomeofthedamagethatthiscruelandill‐conceivedsystemofassimilationhas
perpetratedonCanada'sFirstNationspeoples.Forthiswearetrulyandmosthumblysorry.
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Tothoseindividualswhowerephysically,sexually,andmentallyabusedasstudentsoftheIndian
ResidentialSchoolsinwhichTheUnitedChurchofCanadawasinvolved,Iofferyouourmostsincere
apology.Youdidnothingwrong.Youwereandarethevictimsofevilactsthatcannotunderany
circumstancesbejustifiedorexcused.
Weknowthatmanywithinourchurchwillstillnotunderstandwhyeachofusmustbearthescar,the
blameforthishorrendousperiodinCanadianhistory.Butthetruthis,wearethebearersofmany
blessingsfromourancestors,andtherefore,wemustalsobeartheirburdens.(Fulltextavailablefrom
http://www.united‐church.ca/beliefs/policies/1998/a623)
LetushearwhattheSpiritissaying.
ThanksbetoGod.
DigitalStories:NindibaajimominIntergenerationalEffectsofIndianResidentialSchools
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LisaForbes(introandvideo)
RobertaStout(videoonly)
DanHighway(introandvideo)
ThevideosareavailableonDVDthroughtheOralHistoryCentre,UniversityofWinnipegc/o
[email protected]’sstoriesarealsoavailableat
http://www.pwhce.ca/program_aboriginal_digitalStories.htm
SharingCircle
HonourSong:
ClosingBlessing(print6copiesandrecruitreaders)
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PrayerintheFourDirections
FacingEast
From the East, the direction of the rising sun, we receive peace, light, wisdom and
knowledge.Thisistheplaceofnewbeginningsinourlives.
Response:OCreator:Wearegratefulforthesegifts.
FacingSouth
FromtheSouthcomeswarmth,guidance,andthefullnessoflife.Thisistheplaceofthe
rains,purifyingthewaterstosustainalllivingthings.
Response:OCreator:Wearegratefulforthesegifts.
Facingwest
FromtheWestcomesthesunset,remindingustofindbalanceofourworkandrest.Thisis
whereweareremindedofourdreamsandourvisions.
Response:OCreator:Wearegratefulforthesegifts.
FacingNorth
FromtheNorthcomesthecoldandmightywind,thewhitesnowsandtheteachingsofthe
elders,givingusstrengthandendurance.
Response:OCreator:Wearegratefulforthesegifts.
Facingupward
Fromtheheavenswereceivedarknessandlight,theairofourbreathandthemessagesof
thewingedonestolookfartothefuture.
Response:OCreator:Wearegratefulforthesegifts.
Facingthecentre
From the centre of all comes love. We acknowledge this is our home and it is where we
belong. May we walk in good paths, rejoicing in the blessings we have in abundance,
renewingthefaceofourmothertheearth.Amen
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