Dear friends at MHP,

It’s Canada Day.  Part of me wants to say “Happy Canada Day!” and part of me feels uncomfortable about the colonial presumptions that it implies.

In recognition of Canada’s checkered past and present with indigenous people, I would like to share a prayer from the Presbyterian Church in Canada’s liturgy for Healing and Reconciliation Sunday.
Donna Matheson

Creator God

we live and love imperfectly.

You called us to love our neighbour as ourselves

but collectively we have not, and individually we fall short.

We say all people reflect your image

but our actions betray what we say.

For those of us living with pain or grief caused by racism and colonialism,

we ask you for healing and strength.

For those of us living with privilege and wondering what to do

we ask for the strength to learn, to listen and to work to end systems that oppress.

As you came to set captives free

free us all from those ways of thinking, speaking and acting

that belittle or harm any of your beloved creations

and show us again how to live in your love.

Let us work for reconciliation.

Amen.