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An invitation to listen, lament, fast and pray
Dear Lambrick Family, As Scott mentioned last Sunday, we would like to share a resource to guide us as we listen, lament and let God work in our hearts in these days after 215 indigenous children were discovered in an unmarked grave in Kamloops. The following resources have been gathered by Vision Ministries Canada, the network to whom we belong. As a result of the discovery...outside of Kamloops Residential School, indigenous issues have yet again been brought to our national attention. Those of us who work with indigenous people across our network are grieved by the discovery and the pain it has caused survivors of residential schools and their communities. At the same time, we are encouraged that many of our non-indigenous friends have expressed sympathy and asked how they can become more engaged with indigenous issues. Recognizing how difficult it is to start out on this journey, we have written a shared letter that offers some thoughts on how to do so (Click here to read the letter in full). Our primary encouragement is that right now is a good time to listen and learn, as expressed so well by Steve Bell: On one hand, I feel I should say something. On the other, I feel that it’s not the time for someone like me to speak. Perhaps it’s best if I/we commit to deep listening and learning before attempting to say anything at all. In order to facilitate this, we would like to draw your attention to one section of the letter, in particular: We would like to invite all VMC churches to fast during the 10 days between National Indigenous People’s Day (June 21st) and Canada Day (July 1st). Our prayer is that we would take this time to listen in silence to what the Holy Spirit may be saying to us through Indigenous voices, and what we can learn through their stories, their experiences, and their tears. To assist our journey toward a greater understanding, you might also go through one of the teaching resources provided above each day, and spend time in prayer based on what you learned. Whether you are already well informed or just beginning to learn about indigenous issues, we would love for you to join us in this time of fasting and prayer...We..hope that this season can be one in which we all become better equipped to engage in our shared ministry of reconciliation. * Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen Lands, Strong Hearts (Anglican Church of Canada) * Residential School Survivors' Stories * These recordings of the CBOQ’s Walking Together conference from 2020. * 8th Fire Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb9f2L2u_JQ * First Contact Documentary https://www.tvo.org/video/documentaries/first-contact-ep-1 * Overview of the Indian Residential School System * Indigenous Children and the Child Welfare System in Canada * Calls to Action Accountability: A 2020 Status Update on Reconciliation * The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Reports * Survivors Speak - A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
In Christ, our great Reconciler, The Lambrick Staff Team |