I’ve found myself this week thinking about colour – the colours of the rainbow I see as I try to clear my sinuses one more time… and of course the colours of the flags that blow with pride in the breeze outside my office. Such symbols of diversity, welcome and affirmation!
Last week Jen reminded me that September 30thwas Orange Shirt Day and asked me if I wanted to get a shirt through her school. I declined saying that I’d not likely be wearing orange as it was our service to celebrate becoming an Affirming Ministry… well, this morning I went up to Mount A and purchased an Orange Shirt because Every Child Matters and this theme does fit into our understanding of being an Affirming Ministry is so very many ways!
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in the spring of 2013. It grew out of Phyllis’ story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually. The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It also gives teachers time to plan events that will include children, as we want to ensure that we are passing the story and learning on to the next generations.
Orange: a mix of red and yellow, the colours of south and west on the Mi’kmaw Medicine
Wheel, between red and yellow on the Pride Flag. On Sunday September 30thwear an Orange Shirt and deck yourself out with accessories in all the other colours of the rainbow! Let us affirm that yes, Every Child Matters: Indigenous, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Queer and Two-Spirit! Claim your place in the rainbow of welcome and join in welcoming others
I am trusting that my three fashion consultants (Mia, Grace and Kate) will help me put together my outfit for Sunday: rainbow socks, orange shirt, rainbow belt and of course a rainbow stole… Come and check it out! 9am at Upper Sackville with special music by the Carter Girls or at 11am at Sackville where we will celebrate becoming an Affirming Ministry of the United Church of Canada.
Lloyd
PS: I do apologize! These Monday Musings and becoming more like Wednesday Wonderings… the cold slowed me down this week. I will try and get back on track next Monday!
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow I’ll be heading over the PEI to be with my Mom and Dad as my Mom undergoes surgery to replace her hip. I’ll be back on Friday afternoon and hope to see a huge crowd out for the Pride Parade. Meet at the flag poles outside of the Mount Allison Chapel at 5pm. There will be speeches and then we will walk to the Town Hall for the flag raising followed by a BBQ at Bill Johnstone Memorial Park. As we pass by the Church on the Parade Route we will symbolically peel off and place our Trans and Pride flags on the Sackville United Church.
On Saturday I will meet with some members of the Worship and Sanctuary Committee to deck the Sackville United Church out for the celebration on Sunday.
Sunday Gatherings will take place as follows: 9am at Upper Sackville with special music by the Carter Girls and at 11am at Sackville where we will celebrate becoming an Affirming Ministry of the United Church of Canada.
At 3pm on Sunday you are invited to join in the Covenanting Service for the Rev. Natasha Pearen at Trinity St. Stephen United Church in Amherst, NS as they begin their ministry together.
Looking Further Ahead
On Sunday October 7thin addition to celebrating Thanksgiving and Worldwide Communion we will be welcoming new members by Transfer and Affirmation of Faith. If you would like to know more about this please speak with me.
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