Truth and Reconciliation Commission – June 21-24

Did you Know?Over the course of 150 years and several generations, 150,000 Inuit, Métis and First Nations children were placed in Indian residential schools in an attempt to assimilate Aboriginal peoples. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established as a result of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools, and guide and inspire a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada will host its fourth National Event in Saskatoon at Prairieland Park, June 21-24, 2012. This is an opportunity for all Canadians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, to learn more about and bear witness to the legacy of the residential school system.

This National Event will help to unveil the unique experiences of residential school survivors from Saskatchewan. Survivors, both direct and intergenerational, former school staff and others affected by the schools are invited to come forward and provide private and/or public statements about the impact of residential schools on their lives, that of their families and of their communities.

All members of the public are invited to observe the proceedings as witnesses. The role of a witness is to observe or account for the significance of the event. Bearing witness to the thought provoking statements of residential school survivors and others helps to validate the survivor experience and brings us on a path towards reconciliation.

The Presbyterian Church in Canada, along with other churches and the Canadian government was involved in the residential school system for Aboriginal children, and therefore it is critical for us to be involved in the process of truth-telling, healing, and reconciliation which is the aim of the TRC.

The Presbyterian Church operated several schools before 1925 and the formation of the United Church of Canada. In 1908, over 500 Aboriginal children were attending Presbyterian schools. After the formation of the United Church, the Presbyterian Church continued to operate two schools: Birtle school in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Cecilia Jeffrey school near Kenora, Ontario. These schools, which had opened in 1883 and 1902 respectively, continued to operate until the 1970s.

Here are some ways that you can be involved in the TRC:

• Go to the trc.ca website and learn more. Read the TRC’s interim report which is available on the website.
• Plan to attend the National Event in June which will be held at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. The event will include many opportunities to learn about the schools, to listen to the stories of those who attended the schools or who have been affected by their legacy, and to experience the gifts of Aboriginal cultures to our communities.
• Consider volunteering during the National Event. Register as a volunteer by going to trc.ca, clicking on the “Saskatchewan National Event” button, and filling in the volunteer form. If you would like to volunteer as an official listener in the Church Listening Area (meeting one-on-one with survivors and listening to their stories with respect and compassion) contact Rev. Amanda Currie (242-0525, email hidden; JavaScript is required).
• Attend the Presbyterian Luncheon on Saturday, June 23^rd NOON – 2 pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 436 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon. RSVP to the church office at St. Andrew’s by Saturday, June 16^th (242-0525, email hidden; JavaScript is required). This event is planned for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Presbyterians to be together, to share food and fellowship, and to join in a sharing circle. Special guests will include Chief Norma Johnstone of Mistawasis First Nation and the Rev. Dr. John Vissers, Moderator of the 138^th General Assembly, along with other national representatives of the PCC and the Women’s Missionary Society.

During the Month of May…

The Hildur Hermanson WMS is promoting a food drive for Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry. Containers have been placed in the entrances to collect food donations. A list of non-perishable food items was included on the back of St. Andrew’s May calendar. Pick up a copy from the entranceway table. Lists are also posted on the bulletin boards in the entrances near the containers.

Camp Shirts for Kids $10/Shirt

The Camp Christopher Committee would like to be able to provide a camp shirt for every child and youth that attends camp this summer. A camp shirt will be treasured by all the campers, and especially those who come to camp through generous campership programs. Sending the campers home with camp shirts will also help to promote the camp in our schools and communities.

The Session of St. Andrew’s has agreed to encourage donations to buy t-shirts for the campers this summer, and we hope that you will want to help out. For only $10 you can buy a shirt for a camper, and for $100 you can buy shirts for a whole cabin group! Our goal is to raise enough money for 250 shirts. (That’s just about one shirt per member of St. Andrew’s!)

When you donate $10 we will hang another “shirt” on the clothes line and put your first name on it. If you donate $100 we’ll put a really big shirt on the line to represent your really big gift.

April Upcoming Events

The St. Andrew’s Youth Group invites you to spend part of Sunday afternoon, April 22nd with us. Immediately following the worship service, the Youth will be providing hotdogs and pop (for a recommended donation of $3.00-$5.00) in the lower hall. There will also be activities, including ladderball, face painting, and a silent auction, giving you a chance to bid on the services of several youth! All activities and additional goods and services will be on a “pay as you play” setup. All are welcome! All proceeds go towards Canada Youth 2012.

Saskatchewan Presbyterian Youth (SPY) will be holding a weekend about food and faith on April 27-29 at Knox Presbyterian Church in Briercrest, SK. All youth from grade 7 to age 25 are invited to participate. The cost of the weekend is $50 per person, and assistance with the fee is available if needed. Deadline for registering is Sunday, April 22nd!

Spring Tea & Bake Sale: The Women’s League of St. Andrew’s will be hosting their annual Spring Tea and Bake Sale in the lower hall of the church on Saturday, April 28^th from 2:00-4:00 pm. Everyone is welcome! ***Donations of baking are appreciated.***

Holy Week Worship Schedule

Holy Week is a special time of worship, reflection, and celebration in the church. Mark your calendar today, and make time to worship together with your Presbyterian family this year.

• On Sunday, April 1^st Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. We will gather at St. Andrew’s for worship at 11:00 am, remembering Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and joining with the crowds in singing “Hosanna” and hailing him as King.

Special Events in the Month of March

Annual Financial Meeting: Plan to stay after worship on Sunday, March 4th for lunch served by the Youth Group, followed by St. Andrew’s Annual Financial Meeting. Copies of the financial report for 2011 are available on the entranceway table. There is no charge for the lunch, but donation baskets will be set out to receive your donations to support our youth to attend conferences and special events. Child care will be provided by some of our youth in the nursery during the meeting.

During The Season Of Lent each year, the people of St. Andrew’s are encouraged to collect coins to support the work of Presbyterian World Service and Development. Our gifts to PWS&D are one way that we care for people around the world and for God’s creation. The Stewardship Committee has provided coin-collecting jars for us.  You can pick one up in the entranceway, and remember to bring it back on Easter Sunday. There are also some PWS&D envelopes in the entranceway if you would prefer to write a cheque.

During this year’s Lenten appeal, the Stewardship Committee has decided to highlight small business development in Guatemala.

• $80 provides women with literacy and vocational training for one month.
• $215 enables 40 people to participate in a business training program
• $500 helps a women’s group start a small business fund

All Are Welcome To Take Part In A Session of prayerful and gentle exercise while sitting in a chair on Wednesday, March 7^th from 6:30-7:30 pm in St. Andrew’s lower hall. Diane Waldbillig, a certified Holy Yoga trainer will be leading us through this new experience during the Lenten season. Let’s get healthy while we pray and reflect on scripture. Call Laura at 229-7846 to RSVP.

Discover Your God-Given Gifts! The Stewardship Committee invites everyone to participate in two small group sessions designed to help us discover and develop our spiritual gifts. Sessions will take place on Sundays, March 11^th & 18^th (2:30-4:30) and on Saturdays, March 17^th & 24^th (2:30-4:30) at the church. Please let us know whether you plan to attend the Sunday sessions or the Saturday sessions so that we can plan accordingly. You can phone the church (242-0525) email Rev. Amanda (email hidden; JavaScript is required) or put your name on the sign up sheets in the entranceway. We will conclude the program with a “gathering of God’s gifts” and a potluck lunch following worship on Sunday, March 25^th.

Upcoming Events

Please take note of the following events happening this week at St. Andrew’s:

Bill Thibodeau and Giselle Doell of Egadz Youth Centre will speak at the Thursday Group meeting on Thursday, February 16th. Everyone is welcome to join this group at 1:30 p.m. in the lower hall of the church.

Farewell to Jen! St. Andrew’s will be hosting a farewell gathering for Jennifer Bell, our Regional Staff Person for Saskatchewan. Jen has accepted a position as Program Assistant for Canadian Ministries at the National Office of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. We will gather for worship at 4 p.m. followed by a potluck supper on Sunday, February 19th to say good-bye to Jen and send her on her way with our love and blessings for her continued ministry within the Presbyterian Church.

Church Family Day! On Monday, February 20th many people in Saskatchewan will have the day off work/school for Family Day. You are invited to join your church family at St. Andrew’s that day for a time of worship, learning, and activity. Families, singles, and couples of all ages are encouraged to come for a fun time with your church family. The program will begin at 11 a.m. and wind up by 2 p.m., followed by optional activities of board games, a family movie, or skating at the Bess. Lunch will be included. Please RSVP to Matt or Rev. Amanda by Sunday morning, February 19th so that we can prepare enough food for lunch.

Ash Wednesday Worship: We will begin the Season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Worship Service on February 22nd at 7 p.m. The service will include the imposition of ashes on the forehead as a sign of humility and repentance. We will also celebrate Holy Communion together.

Sunday, February 26th will be the First Sunday in the Season of Lent.  We will begin the Lenten journey with the Sacrament of Holy Communion as part of our Sunday morning worship at 11 a.m.

Differences that Unite: A Lenten workshop series

Differences that Unite: A 21st century exploration of Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry

An ecumenical Lenten series exploring the doctrinal consensus and convergence on key issues of church life and practice. Join Nick Jesson and Rev. Amanda Currie as we harvest the significant agreement reached between the churches in the past half century and look to the future. Together with an ecumenical panel, we will discover the faith that we share and the practices and beliefs that we hold in common, as well as seek to understand the differences that make each of our church Traditions unique.

You are invited to a 5-week Lenten series for all Christians who are praying and working for the unity of the church. On Mondays from Feb. 27 to Mar. 26 from 7-9 pm at Mayfair United Church (902 – 33rd Street West).

2012 is the 30th anniversary of the World Council of Churches’ statement on Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry (BEM). Thirty years after BEM have our Churches truly embraced the ecumenical agreement that is expressed in the document? And are we still engaging in the dialogue necessary to move towards even greater agreement, co-operation, and Christian unity? If you would like to read BEM in advance of the series, you can find it online at http://oikoumene.org/?id=2638.

Registration on the first evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. There is no fee for this series, but you are welcome to make a donation to support the ministry of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism. For more information, contact Rev. Amanda Currie at 306-242-0525 or email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Upcoming Events

Thursday Group with Guest Speakers from Egadz Youth Centre: The Thursday Group is an informal gathering of adults that gathers on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month for fellowship, learning, and connection. On Thursday, January 19th at 1:30 p.m. everyone is welcome to come and hear guest speakers Bill Thibodeau and Giselle Doell of Egadz Youth Centre. Members of St. Andrew’s support Egadz every year through generous gifts made through our Advent Appeal. Come and hear more about this important ministry in our neighbourhood.

St. Andrew’s Will Host an Ecumenical Worship Service on Monday, January 23rd at 7:00 a.m. During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity each year, the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism co-ordinates a series of worship opportunities in churches of many denominations across the city of Saskatoon. St. Andrew’s has agreed to host one of the early morning services, followed by a continental breakfast in the lower hall of the church.

We hope that many of our members will take the opportunity to participate in this prayer for the unity of the church, either by attending the service at St. Andrew’s and welcoming our Christian friends, or by joining in the other prayer services throughout the week. See the full schedule for the WPCU in Saskatoon January 22-29, 2012.

Holy Communion: A Study of Theology and Practice: The Session of St. Andrew’s is planning to meet on Saturday, February 4th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. to study and discuss the theology and practice of Holy Communion in our church. This event will be open to anyone in the congregation to attend and participate.

Holy Communion is a gift from Christ to the church. Before there were Books of Common Order or formal creeds, even before the New Testament was written, the first Christians met on the Lord’s Day to read the Scriptures, the letters from the apostles, and to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

Please join us for this time of study and discussion as we deepen our understanding of this Sacrament, as well as appreciate the mystery of Christ’s presence with us when we gather at the Table of the Lord. We will conclude the afternoon with a short worship service and celebration of Holy Communion.

Working to be One

In the most recent Presbyterian Record, a letter from the Presbytery of Northern Saskatchewan was printed with the title “Working to be One: A Commitment to Ecumenism Benefits Communities on the Prairies.” The presbytery had been invited to write about some aspect of the ministry in this part of the PCC. The presbytery’s contributions to Christian unity were highlighted:

Although most congregations and ministers might agree with the ecumenical goal in theory, actual sharing in worship, witness and service with our Christian neighbours often gets pushed aside because of the busy schedules and many demands on our church leaders.  On the Canadian Prairies, the churches have a long history of working together, and the current members of the Presbytery of Northern Saskatchewan have inherited a great legacy of involvement and relationship with our Christian friends. Not only do our congregations and ministers participate in local ministerials and councils of churches, but as a presbytery we are one of seven sponsoring denominations of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism in Saskatoon. The purpose of the Centre is “to be an instrument for Christian reconciliation and unity… and to advance towards that unity in order that the world may believe.”

Read the complete letter on the Record’s website.