Northwood United Church

To Reconcile and Make New

Psalm 46, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
June 1, 2008
Rev. Cindy Terry

Last Thursday to Sunday, Doug Lobb, Nicole Morgan, Kathy Halinen, Brenda Wolff, Scott Collins and I attended the General Meeting of the Conference of British Columbia held at Capilano College in North Vancouver. Chris Lobb and Mark Collins was able to be there for parts of the event as well. We gathered with over five hundred others to worship and pray, to hear inspiring speakers, engage in deep conversations and do the business of the church. The days were long, beginning at 8:15 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m. We came away each day with our heads and hearts filled to overflowing, feeling blessed to be part of such a great gathering.

The theme of the conference was "To Reconcile and Make New." We addressed many areas of reconciliation …areas where we have seen movement and new life and areas that we still need movement of the Spirit through human action and attitude. I want to share with you just a few of the highlights that we experienced.

One of the main areas that we explored was that of reconciliation between First Nations students who attended residential schools and the United Church which operated some of those schools. On Thursday night we listened to Rev. Dr. Brian Thorpe, a United Church Minister, speak with compassion and deep commitment, as he talked of his work with First Nations mainly in British Columbia. He has listened to many as they told their stories of pain and suffering; of loss and a legacy of disenfranchisement. With years of experience and wisdom he stated, "We need to listen to one another with curiosity," so that we might truly understand what the other is saying. As we listen with curiosity we can turn from our positional arguments toward a greater understanding and find common ground upon which to move forward. Brian clearly said that while we need to recognize the past and the harm which was caused, it does no good to hold on to guilt. In fact, holding on to guilt is actually a way of trying to control the agenda. Brian reminded us of work that has been done to bring reconciliation through hearings and healing circles, and of the ongoing discussions as we look forward to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which begins today, June 1. He holds on to great hope for us moving together in greater understanding as he affirms, "when Divine Imagination encounters humanity new life occurs." When we follow the way of Christ, which calls for healing and reconciliation, a way of peace, new life happens. As new life bursts forth we are freed from fear and stereotypes. We are liberated into love, in faith and into communion. Everything is connected.

Dr. Chief Bobby Joseph, a special advisor to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) spoke with conviction and clarity. He very strongly encouraged us to come to the table…the table of conversation at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He said we must come together to look back at our history. The reality of the First Nations' world has been and still is, very different from the reality of non First Nations. We need to listen to the stories and have patience. We need to have a forgiving spirit as we listen, as the people telling their stories are angry.

Chief Joseph said many times that this is a magnificent moment in Canadian history as we come to the table together. He praised and thanked the United Church for staying the course, for not giving up in the long road to reconciliation. He said that the United Church's earnest work "allows all people to live with a sense of purpose and spirit." He encouraged us to listen to the First Nations' stories and to help them with "their need for spiritual assistance." With much conviction and hope he stated that this commission will work if we can together "elevate the conversations to a spiritual level." "The most important work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be to enter into a Spiritual Covenant." He said that the Truth Commission can give hope and spirit to the people. "One of the worst things is to think that people don't care…If you don't come it will say that you don't care…You must come to the table…We need to talk."

There will be seven events as part of the National process and many community based conversations…heart to heart reconciliation opportunities. Chief Joseph says healing and peace making "is all about relationships. The First Nations are depending upon the church to help them as they don't see other places in society who praise the Creator God." His challenge or invitation to us is to decide what we will do as a group and as individuals to bring about reconciliation. He encouraged us to ask God to help us find a way to be engaged in the process and to seek assistance in ways to change the world. Again he emphasized that this "Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be the singular most transformative moment we will have, the possibilities are endless." Dr. Chief Bobby Joseph concluded with, "Share the Dream that this Truth and Reconciliation Commission can change the world!"

President of B.C. Conference, Rev. Janice Young, also spoke about the Residential Schools. She read out the much overdue Apology that the United Church offered ten years ago to former students and their families of residential schools. Janice talked about the work of Alvin Dickson, who chairs the Residential School Committee for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Former students have the opportunity to be heard by this committee rather than take the more formal and costly court and lawsuit route. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee provides an informal, quick and less intense setting for former students to tell their stories. There is a much greater opportunity for a ministry of reconciliation. Janice sees the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission as providing an opportunity for all of us - First Nations and non First Nations to heal and be liberated from the hurts of the past. She too is hopeful as she claims, "As we look back in history the reconciling Spirit of the Risen Christ will be helping us." She says, "We will know reconciliation when we can say…I know you -you are my sister -you are my brother - children of the one Creator who loves all of us just as we are -who summons out what we shall be- a reconciled and reconciling ministry."

A second area of reconciliation was celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the inclusion of all persons of faith, regardless of their sexual orientation, as those eligible for ordered ministry. Allison Rennie, the Executive Director of Naramata Centre, talked about her experience at the 1988 General Council Meeting in Victoria. The sessional committee of over twenty people that she was invited to work with and resource consisted of folk from all parts of Canada. They held divergent theological perspectives, men and women, who came with very different points of view worked hard examining over one thousand petitions and prayed together for days to prepare the statement that eventually came before the whole gathering. There were times of painful, even hurtful things said and times of incredible grace. There was a strong sense that the Spirit of Christ was moving within the group to bring about the possibility of reconciliation between gays and lesbians and heterosexuals within the church. It was a defining moment in United Church history and in the history of other denominations. Even though this happened twenty years ago and generally it is easier to be a gay or lesbian person in the United Church there is still need for continued reconciliation and acceptance.

Other areas of need for reconciliation are with the Japanese who were forced into internment camps because of our suspicions and distrust during World War Two. The second generation Japanese who were born here, who were Canadians were seen as enemies and potential threat. As they were forced into the camps they lost everything they had worked so hard to achieve. Fishermen along the coast lost their boats and nets -their businesses. The Japanese farmers in the Fraser Valley lost their land, their homes. Because of our fear they were severely discriminated against. Rev. Yoko Kihara, the current minister of the Fraser Valley Japanese United Church, says that the United Church led the way in providing support for those interred. Rev. McWilliams, who had been a missionary in Japan for twenty one years came to Tachama Camp and stayed with the people providing spiritual support. Miss Namba and women from the Women's Missionary Society of the United Church taught the children school. The Japanese were not allowed to go to High School so these women lived and worked with the Japanese. The United Church provided bridges of reconciliation to the Japanese when so many saw them as the enemy. When the war was over and they were finally freed they had to begin again from nothing. No nets and boats to fish. The Japanese were skilled fishers and were quickly hired by the Canadian Canaries who understood the value of their skills. No land to farm. Whole families worked hard to get enough money to buy new land and they redeveloped farms. To this day it is hard for many second generation Japanese to tell their painful stories of sever discrimination and loss. There is a sense of fear and a feeling of guilt for the first generation.

We also need to be reconciled to the planet earth and what we are doing to add to greenhouse gases, toxic pollutants and non-biodegradable waste. Rev. Doug Goodwin, the Executive Secretary of B.C. Conference says, "The earth itself cries out for peace and reconciliation."

As I listened carefully to all the great speakers I began to wonder about what other areas need reconciliation. Reconciliation or having right relationships begins as an individual looks at one's own life to see what might need mending and healing. I remember a few years ago when some people in this congregation came with an idea to get to know our neighbours better. We organized an interfaith study with over thirty people attending. Well, this week we received an invitation to the the Christian Church as part of new interfaith study for four to six year olds. Jim has answered this call to help bring about greater understanding and trust. I wonder…are there relationships that have been bruised or even broken? Are there people who have hurt us or we have hurt? What would it take to mend these relationships? What changes would need to occur within us and within others? Can we find ways to talk with each other so that we are agents of change? The great hope of today's passage is that we do not do this work alone. In Christ we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. The Spirit works in and amoung us so that we might be ambassadors for Christ. God is making God's appeal for reconciliation through us.

I invite you to take some time looking at your own life and at the life of this congregation of faith. Are there places that you can make a difference by listening to the other with a sense of curiosity and wanting to understand their point of view rather than defend your position? Are there places or relationships which need mending? How can you help bring about peace and healing? The promise is that as reconciliation happens all concerned are freed from bondage and fear and we are liberated to love in faith. Walls of division come down and we can stand united with Christ at the centre of all that we do and all that we are. As this congregation moves forward in seeking new leadership for the music position and a clergy position it will be essential to have a unified and reconciled congregation. May the Spirit of the Risen Christ bless each of us and this congregation of faith as we seek to bring about reconciliation.

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