September 30^th marks the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day we remember the lost children and all Survivors of Residential Schools and pray for those who continue to live with the pain caused by the trauma of that time.

As a diocese we have committed to marking this day to remember our role in the history of Residential Schools and to continue carrying Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples as a seed in the sacred bundle we carry together.

The foundation of our belief as Christians is that God has reconciled us through Jesus Christ and that because of this we are invited into the ministry of reconciliation with others. Being involved in this ministry is not a choice, but a responsibility. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he speaks of God, ‘entrusting the message of reconciliation to us’ (2. Cor. 5: 19) as ambassadors of Christ. In Algoma we are stewards of reconciliation with God, with one another, and with ourselves.

To mark this day there will be an online event at 7pm on Friday 30^th September. Everyone is invited to join and to wear something orange – an orange T Shirt, an orange bandana, an orange ribbon, or an orange scarf to demonstrate your commitment to reconciliation and that #EveryChildMatters

The Zoom link for this diocesan wide event has been sent out to clergy. I will be offering a short reflection on reconciliation and then we will be hearing about ways in which the people of God in Algoma are participating in it. Liz Kingston and Rev. Lana Grawbarger will share their experiences in Garden River this summer, Archdeacon Deborah Kraft will be talking about indigenous ministries at St. Paul’s in Thunder Bay, Rev. Heather Manuel will tell us about a new initiative in Gravenhurst, and Rev. Elizabeth Green will be telling the story of one of Leland Bell’s paintings. As part of the ‘Treebilee’ and growing the green canopy around Algoma a White Birch Tree in Bishophurst garden will be dedicated in this online event which will close with Compline.

Ultimately reconciliation is not about a single event or following up on a resolution at a diocesan synod. It is about an openness to a transformed heart. It is a process, an attitude of mind and the ability to embrace difference and diversity. It is all God’s work.

Let us be part of it together.

+Anne: Algoma