I look around the room as we make our way into our space and there are smiles and conversations and a real sense of community. The waters of life call us and refreshes the journey.

Worship sets the stage as it has each day reminding us of the Spirit that works through us. A call to be brave, to be prepared to leave behind what we need to so that we might move into the future and live out our call to be the church in this time and place.

GC42 – Day 6

Just The Beginning

As a Council we were then led into hearing from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Marie Wilson, one of the commissioners, spoke to us. She reminded us the Truth and Reconciliation Commission ending is just the beginning of reconciliation. We need to be fully part of that. There are many calls to action and we need to take the time to reflect on how we fulfill that.

Perry Bellegrade, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said,

“There are many roads to the creator. I just encourage people to get on one.”

Motion Passed

After hearing from the commission, as a church we passed the following motion: That, GC42

Re-affirm its long term commitment to reconciliation and the building of right relations among Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people.
Receive the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and commend them to the executive of the General Council for consideration and action
Direct the Committee on Indigenous Justice and Residential Schools and the General Secretary to work along with the Aboriginal Ministries Council to provide leadership to the wider church in the development of strategies and materials that will assist the church in supporting, educating and implementing where appropriate, the calls to action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on June2,2015
Encourage, whenever possible, collaborative initiatives and actions on the calls to actions with ecumenical partners such as KAIROS and the Canadian Council of Churches, Indigenous organizations, and the parties to the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement
Encourage congregations to engage in education and action for reconciliation

Passed Unanimously

Following more conversation about the Comprehensive Review, Nora stood to introduce to us the proposal around Full Communion with the United Church of Christ. The journey began in February 2014 when representatives from both of our churches gathered in Toronto. The similarities between our churches are many and we share a common vision and mission. At its meeting in June the United Church of Christ passed a motion to enter into full communion with the United Church of Canada.

Today we gather to do the same. Even before the vote was taken we listened as our brothers and sisters, at their meeting, sang O Canada” in honour of this relationship and then our commissioners rose to sing “ The Star Spangled Banner”. It was a moment of deep grace and great joy! The motion was then presented and passed unanimously!!!!

For the second time in one day the United Church of Canada spoke with one unanimous voice as we pass the motion for Mutual Recognition of Ministry with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea.

And there was great rejoicing!!!!

Our New Moderator

And one last piece of celebration as we draw to the close of another day. With much anticipation, after many trips to the voting booths, amidst great cheers and applause, we welcomed our new Moderator, Rev. Jordon Cantwell.

And there was Great Rejoicing!!

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