THE PRINTS OF PEACEOCTOBER 2018

A periodical newspaper for and by the people of Peace Lutheran Congregation, Vernon, BC

IN THIS ISSUE

Pastor David’s Message

Choir Corner

Council Highlights

Community Events

Upcoming Events

October Calendar

A M e s s a g e f r o m P a s t o r D a v i d

Truth and Reconciliation: Looking Back, Moving Forward

On September 21, I was privileged to visit the Secwepemc Museum, located on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. This was part of the Southern InteriorRegional Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, with the theme: Truth and Reconciliation: Looking Back, Moving Forward. The displays were a fascinating telling of the story of people who lived on the land for centuries before European contact. We could see how they had developed a society, technologies and lifestyle that suited them well.Their lifestyle was different from the ways of Europeans, but their lives were integrated into social structures that worked for them.

When European settlers arrived the initial relationship was positive. Land was shared and friendships formed. Mutually beneficial trade grew. Somewhere along the way the attitude shifted and the first occupants of the land were no longer recognized as people with rights, but were regarded as savages to be tamed or assimilated. Officials identified it as, “The Indian Problem.” Forced separation of children from their families along with the cultural indoctrination of the children was part of the process. There is no way to justify the treatment of First Nations and Metis people with regard to efforts at forced assimilation. Horriblewrongs were committed and a system was established to justify and perpetuate them.

In the prairies where most of the land is covered under various numbered treaties, the statement that rings powerfully true is, “We are ALL treaty people.” The concept that treaties are agreements signed between two nations implies that it is not just the Indians who are affected by treaties. The government of Canada signed on to certain responsibilities. We are party to the agreements. We share the responsibility for failure to

honor the contracted promises that were made.

In BC, there are few treaties by comparison. In Vernon, we live on unceded territory of the Syilx people of the Okanagan Indians. Our relationship with the original occupants of this land continues to grow and evolve as we understand our history a little more fully. Can we approach this issue from a faith perspective? At this gathering, I received a publicationcalled, “Wrongs to Rights: How Churches Can Engage the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” While relevant specifically to us, this issue is global.

This book includes a short essay called, “What about the Canaanites? Re-Reading theBible.” I would like to share part of that article that identifies some interesting challenges we face when we read our faith-history in light of indigenous perspectives. Specifically, the author suggests reading the story of Exodus and settlement in Canaan from a Canaaniterather than Jewish perspective. This is written by Kwok Pui-Lan, who was born in Hong Kong and now teaches theology at the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“The first challenge is to envision time and history differently. Since the so-called“Enlightenment,” many powerful peoples and nations have believed that “primitive” and“traditional” societies had to change so that they could catch up with modernity. The process of modernization was taken to be synonymous with Westernization. Scores of Christian missionaries were sent around the world for a “civilizing mission,” while residential schoolswere built to change Native ways of life. The ideology of “progress” casts people in the Global South and all Indigenous peoples as peoples of the past, while white Europeans,Canadians, and Americans are reckoned people of the present and the future. We need to understand that we coexist in the same temporal frame with tremendous diversity, plurality, and multiplicity. Different worldviews and traditions should be respected.

“The second challenge is to look at space and land with new eyes. Osage theologian Tink Tinker argues that the Christian tradition has been profoundly influenced by the concept of time (God as acting in history, the historical Jesus, and Jesus’ Second Coming, for example), while Native traditions are more shaped by the concept of space.

For Native peoples, land is sacred and connected to their ancestors, their sense of belonging, and their stories, rituals, and customs. Native peoples’ communal understanding of land clashes with Settlers’ assumptions that land and space are commodities that can be bought, sold, and exchanged.

Native peoples’ struggle for recognition and sovereignty is a fight to protect their land, heritage, and wisdom passed from generations.

“The third challenge is to enlarge our political imagination. At a professional meeting,Cherokee academic and activist Andrea Smith challenged her racial and minority American colleagues not to accept the political status-quo as it is by fighting for a piece of the piewithin the system. Instead, she urged her colleagues to ask the fundamental question ofwhether the formation of the state was just and whether a different pie needs to be imagined. It is not sufficient to fight for equality within the current notion of the state and political system if they are based on the disenfranchisement of Indigenous peoples.” (page 87, 88)

Suggestions like this are bound to stir controversy. Like fish in water, we take for granted the established systems we have lived with for generations. We approach systemic changeswith a great deal of trepidation. Yet openness to new ideas for organizing social relationships could lead to a richer and more satisfying society.

On September 22, as we participated in the Kairos Blanket Exercise in Kamloops, we saw five hundred years of history unfold in two hours, showing the effects of European settlement on the Indigenous population. It is difficult to see the harm inflicted on these people because of decisions made by leaders trying to develop our country. Whatever our path toreconciliation, one thing is clear. There is no way to move forward without first confronting the truth of our past.

As opportunities arise to build bridges for healing with our indigenous neighbours, please consider making the effort to participate, listen, learn and grow. Healing of our society depends on the descendants of European settlers taking steps to initiate reconciliation with indigenous people. As church we proclaim a gospel of reconciliation. May God bless and heal the broken places in our society and give us courage to proclaim God’s love always.

Peace, Pastor David

“ P

C H O I

E A C E L U T H E R A

N C H U R C HR C O R N E R ”

Our first two rehearsals of the season have been productive. October will be a busy month of music, with Thanksgiving and Reformation, and we look forward to All Saints’ Sunday inNovember.

In October we will rehearse each Monday at 7, with the exception of Thanksgiving Monday. If you want to join us, we will welcome you.

If you have any questions, please call or text me at 250.309.6299.

Shalom!

Margaret Hundeby Hunter

P e a c e L u t h e r a n C o u n

c i l M e e t i n g H i g h l i

g h t s

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 8

Chair Russ Crawford called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm

Present: Pr. David, Russ C, Irma L, Heather S, Peter N, Ralph L, Mike L, Janice M.Absent: Bob W, Ron B

Devotions: Russ C led in devotions from Chicken Soup for the Soul- Living Your Dreams.

Motion 2018-43: MSC that Agenda be adopted as presented.

Motion 2018-44: MSC that minutes be adopted as presented.

Continuing Business: Constitution Update-The new constitution for Peace Lutheran Congregation has been registered.

Treasurer's Report: Motion 2018-45: MSC that Treasurer's Report be adopted as presented.

Chairperson's Report: A request for the use of church facilities for a birthday party was declined. The issue of building doors left open after use of the building has been dealt with.

Committee Reports:

Worship Committee- no report. A meeting is scheduled for September 26,2018, at 7 pm.

Education Report- The Christmas program for the Sunday School is under discussion. Confirmation Classes will begin on September 25,2018.two students are in this year's class.

Finance and Stewardship- no report. A meeting will be held in the near future.

Congregational Life- no report.

Church in Society- no report.

Property Management- as presented. Discussion was held on the lawn mower. A new mower may be needed as there have been repairs on our 2004 mower. $550 has been spent this year and it is anticipated $750 for next year's upkeep.

Motion 2018-46: MSC that southern windows and 2 wooden stairs be painted at a cost of $925.00 and $290.00 respectively, as per quote given by JamesPostill.

Mutual Ministry- no report.

Pastor's Report: as presented. Pastor David expressed thanks for supply services when he was on holidays. November 11,2018 will be a lay led service for Pastor's last holiday this year. Janice M will lead the service, Bob W will read the sermon and Andrea C will bethe musician.Pastor David, Margaret H. and Karen Lund will attend the Southern Interior Region annual gathering at Hills of Peace, Kamloops on September 21 and 22, 2018. In the future, congregational members will be encouraged to attend these gatherings.

New Business- none.

Next Meeting- Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 7 pm sharp.

Devotions: Irma L (also serving coffee on October 21, 2018)

Motion 2018-47: MSC that meeting be adjourned at 7:59 pm.

The meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer.

Respectively submitted, Janice M

A M e s s a g eF o r t h e P e a c e C o m m u n i t y

Good Morning Program

“Offering people a safer independence”

The Good Morning program is a free telephone service to seniors or people with high health risks who live alone feel isolated in the community. This program enables these individuals to remain living independently longer by providing a daily phone call to ensure participants are safe. Currently we have about 30 participants in the program and we are taking referrals more.Participants can be referred by care providers, family, friends or self-referrals can be made. Self-referrals can be made by calling the CMHA @ 250-542-3114 and ask for extension 236. We would love to hear from you.

QUOTE: “What a difference it makes to wake up hearing a cheerful voice”Each call is a non-intrusive, non-judgmental safety check that provides some social interaction. We listen, provide support and offer referrals when needed.Calls are made by trained volunteers 365 days a year at no cost.If you or someone you know would like to participate and benefit from this great and cheerful program, please call our program office for more information or to get started.

PHONE: 250 542 3114 extension 236

CMHA- Vernon and District Branch 3100-28th AvenueVernon, BC V1T 1W3

The Crisis Line is a free phone service to people in our community who are reaching out. People call for a variety of reasons, emotional support, family relationship conflicts, homelessness, family violence, grief, isolation and loneliness calls. Callers can rely on the Crisis Line Volunteers to be empathetic and validating; volunteers can provide emotional support, give information and referrals to appropriate community agencies, access to emergency services and intervention when required.

Our training is 30+ hours of classroom time and practical time. Topics include comprehensive listening, healthy responses, mental illness, addiction, abuse, isolation, grief and suicide call handling procedures.

Once training is complete, Crisis Line volunteers become a part of the Interior Crisis Line Network, answering calls from one of three lines: the BC Interior Crisis Line, 1 888 353 CARE (2273), The provincial Suicide Network for suicide assessment and intervention, 1 800 Suicide (784-2433) and the provincial Mental Health Support Information line, 310-6789.The Vernon Crisis Line is currently taking applications for our fall training which begins October.

The training dates are:October 13 and 14, 9am-4pmOctober 20 and 21, 9am-4pmNovember 7, 4pm - 8:30

Once training is complete, volunteers are ready to assess caller's crisis, provide emotional support, and connect callers with community services from an extensive, province-wide database. The total volunteer commitment is 200 hours and is fulfilled by completing 1- 4 hour shift per week. The shift calendar is flexible with some shift s beginning morning, noon and night time shifts are also available.

If you wish to make a difference in the lives of others, consider becoming a member of the Crisis Line Team. Applications can be made on the Vernon CMHA website, or those interested can phone the office for more information. Website: https:/ / vernon.cmha.bc.ca/

Charting a Course for (re)Conciliation : On November 16-17, there is a workshop at First Baptist Church called: Charting a Course for (re)Conciliation. The cost is $25 (register at www.redclover.ca ) and includes the Friday night Blanket Exercise, Saturday sessions from 10-4, and a Cheryl Bear concert at 7 p.m. Please consider getting involved and learning more about the need for healing and reconciliation with indigenous people.

U p c o m i n g a t P e a c e

HERON GROVE SERVICE – Sunday, October 7th @ 2:30 PM

CHOIR –Monday’s @ 7:00 PM (No Choir on October 8th)

CONFIRMATION CLASS – Tuesday’s @ 3:30 PM

PAINTING THE STARS ADULT STUDY PROGRAM – Tuesday’s @ 7:00 PM

PRAYER SHAWL – Wednesday, October 3rd @ 10:00 AM

SOUP KITCHEN – Saturday, October 6th. Sign-up sheet is posted in the hall.

SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING – Thursday, October 11th @ 10:30 AM

QUILTERS – Resume on Thursday, October 11th @ 10:00 AM

SUNSHINE SENIORS : Fridays October 12th & 26th @ 1:30 PM

COUNCIL MEETING – Wednesday October 17th @ 7:00 PM

JAZZ VESPERS – Sunday, October 21st @ 7:00 PM

ELW MEETING – Tuesday, October 23rd @ 1:00 PM

ALTAR GUILD – Tuesday, October 30th @ 9:30 AM

SPECIAL WORSHIP EVENTS

Every Sunday in October has elements to make it a special focus for our community assembly.

October 7, is Thanksgiving Sunday. As we celebrate the abundance of God’s grace aThanksgiving display of garden produce will remind us of all that we have to be thankful for. You are invited to bring your garden items, to church by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 6.

October 14, is a service of Healing Prayers. Jesus is our great healer who touches our lives in body, mind and spirit. You may come forward to receive laying on of hands and prayers for healing.

October 21, in addition to the morning Eucharist we will have a Jazz Vesper service at 7:00 p.m. A jazz ensemble of Greg Baturin on Drums, Jim Leonard on Piano, Aaron French on Bass, Alex Barss on Sax and Pastor David on Trumpet along with singer, Anita Baturinwill lead this time of prayer, music and reflection. Readings will explore the theme of Refugees. Please spread the word and bring a friend.

October 28, is Reformation Sunday and we will have a special service to celebrate our faith heritage with Holy Communion. The worship committee suggests wearing red, which is the liturgical colour for the day. This is also a Pot-Luck lunch Sunday. If you would like to, please bring a German dish (German potato salad, sausage, cabbage rolls, perogy, sourkraut, etc.) to make this feel more festive. (Like Octoberfest without the beer!)

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P e a c e L u t h e r a n P r a y e r C h a i n

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …Is sponsored by our ELW, it is made up of individuals who have made a commitment to pray for others in need. Those with a particular concern for themselves or others are invited to contact Rita Makasoff and explain the circumstances for which prayers are requested.

OFFICE HOURSTuesday 11:00 – 3:00 Thursday & Friday 8:30-12:30

Contact UsPam McCreightTelephone 250-545-5787 Email

Pastor DavidCell 250-309-0747Email Website

SUBMISSION DEADLINE for November edition of “THE PRINTS OF PEACE”

newsletter is October 26th Thank you!

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