- 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - read this text online here »
There are two parts to the statement: one is positive and the other is negative. We can be associated with the problem – the negative side of any issue. For instance, many a company or organization or institution has found itself in difficulty for all kinds of reasons – some of its own making and some not. But the question is: how does it solve the problem? Will a new CEO or manager or employee be part of the solution or become another part of a growing problem?
Toronto is in the midst of an election process for mayor and new city councillors. Every candidate for mayor and city council has his or her particular slant on the problems related to Toronto and the larger area around the city – whether the issues are transportation and roads, the environment and the greening of the city, taxation, overpopulation, immigration, financial mismanagement, too many councillors, etc. etc. And they want citizens to know how they will contribute to the solution rather than remain part of the problem.
It is similar in the Church. We know now that the Church, unfortunately, has been part of a problem in the past we wish we had not shared in. We wish we were not part of a history of hurtful and even abusive relationships with other human beings – in this case, our Aboriginal neighbours – that continue to affect the lives of many people today. That’s why today’s message is titled “The Good Road: Being Part of the Solution.” I believe that going forward in our relationships with First Nations people today and in the future involves everyone -- certainly all of us who follow Jesus and, particularly, those of us who are part of The United Church of Canada. We all need to contribute in some way to a journey on the good road – a good road that moves toward a solution of hope, healing and reconciliation.
Rev. Tom Little wrote a brief letter that the United Church has included on its website as a resource for congregations to consider on this good road of healing [www.united-church.ca/aboriginal/schools/resources/trservice]. He outlined seven teachings given by the Creator. They are Wisdom, Respect, Love, Humility, Honesty, Courage, and Truth. Certainly these are values that Christians understand are at the centre of our daily living as followers of Jesus Christ. To follow the good road means we take seriously these values both as individuals and as a church community. Being part of the solution of hope, healing and reconciliation in our relationships with our Aboriginal neighbours means we ponder how we as Christians put these teachings into practice with one another.
Tom Little says the integration of these teachings with each other is significant. This integration connects to a wholeness that reminded him of the Scripture this morning – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
Being part of the solution to the effects of the mistreatment of children in residential schools run by some churches including the United Church no doubt has many possibilities. I will outline two ways to think about this.
First: “If one part [of the body] hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing.” That’s how The Message Bible puts the first part of verse 26 in 1 Corinthians 12. We now know the hurt our Aboriginal neighbours have experienced. While the church did not recognize this for years and most did not concern themselves with the terrible hurt at the time it was occurring, we have read enough and heard enough and seen enough now to understand and, perhaps, even feel within ourselves a little of that kind of pain.
Part of the process of our acknowledging the hurt and the pain our First Nations neighbours experienced and still feel … part of the process of acknowledging that we as a church community are intimately connected with our Aboriginal neighbours because of the troubled and difficult past we shared (albeit from very different positions) ... part of the process of our contributing to a solution of healing and hope and reconciliation ... is our participation in “The Apology to Former Students of United Church Indian Residential Schools, Their Families and Communities” as spoken by the Moderator of the United Church in October 1998. That apology is part of our denomination’s commitment to repentance and healing. It is one step along “The Good Road.”
Intentionally connecting ourselves as individuals and as the church community of Oriole York Mills with this apology and with the ongoing process of being part of the solution in various ways rather than being part of the problem -- or ignoring the problem -- honours and takes seriously God’s word in Scripture and the life and teachings of Jesus who is connected so intimately with the Creator. By taking these actions, we are on the good road of wisdom, respect, love, humility, honesty, courage, and truth. We are also saying we are willing to join our First Nations neighbours on a mutual and difficult yet life-affirming journey as we are able.
So “If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing.” Also, “If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.” That’s how The Message Bible puts the second part of verse 26 in 1 Corinthians 12. Surely we want to see our Aboriginal neighbours experience hope and healing and flourish in their lives! Surely we also want to share that experience with them in some way! So there are some steps we, as individuals and as a congregation, can take along this good road to help us be part of the solution of hope and healing in our relationships together.
- We can examine our own hearts for attitudes or actions that indicate prejudice. That takes humility, honesty and courage.
- We can try to get to know our Aboriginal neighbours. Lynn Watt is championing this for us by attending and reporting on the “Reawakening the Spirit Workshops.” There are two other opportunities for this mutual communication in October and November that you might consider as a step for yourself. That takes respect, courage and a sincere seeking after truth.
- We can learn more about the cultures of Native Peoples through reading and appreciating Native artists, painters and sculptors. Many of you may be familiar with the late Benjamin Chee Chee’s expressive paintings. I have brought two examples that have graced the walls in my living room for many years. This learning takes respect, genuine interest for others and a seeking after truth.
- We can support the work of Native Peoples organizations in Toronto as well as other areas of Canada. For instance, Lynn Watt and Gail Cooper encouraged our congregation a year or so ago to support financially the refurnishing of an Ojibway school in the Pikangikum First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. That takes respect and loving concern for our neighbour.
- And we can certainly pray for the healing and renewed strength and well-being of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters who have been so badly hurt in the past that their lives and the lives of their children and their communities are still affected today. We can pray for our own healing -- that our eyes be opened to the pain and suffering of the past and our hearts be filled with genuine concern and care for the future of all peoples, especially our Aboriginal neighbours. We can pray for the healing of our United Church. We can also pray for God’s guidance as we journey on the good road together – all of us desiring to be part of the solution of hope, healing and reconciliation. This will take wisdom, honesty, courage and seeking after truth – to understand it, to speak it and to live it!
The Apology to Former Students of United Church Indian Residential Schools, Their Families and Communities by The United Church of Canada:
From the deepest reaches of your memories, you have shared with us your stories of suffering from our church's involvement in the operation of Indian Residential Schools. You have shared the personal and historic pain that you still bear, and you have been vulnerable yet again. You have also shared with us your strength and wisdom born of the life-giving dignity of your communities and traditions and your stories of survival.
In response to our church's commitment to repentance, [the Moderator of The United Church of Canada] spoke these words of apology on behalf of the General Council Executive on Tuesday, October 27, 1998:
“As Moderator of The United Church of Canada, I wish to speak the words that many people have wanted to hear for a very long time. On behalf of The United Church of Canada, I apologize for the pain and suffering that our church's involvement in the Indian Residential School system has caused. We are aware of some of the damage that this cruel and ill-conceived system of assimilation has perpetrated on Canada's First Nations peoples. For this we are truly and most humbly sorry.
“To those individuals who were physically, sexually, and mentally abused as students of the Indian Residential Schools in which The United Church of Canada was involved, I offer you our most sincere apology. You did nothing wrong. You were and are the victims of evil acts that cannot under any circumstances be justified or excused.
“We know that many within our church will still not understand why each of us must bear the scar, the blame for this horrendous period in Canadian history. But the truth is, we are the bearers of many blessings from our ancestors and, therefore, we must also bear their burdens.
“Our burdens include dishonouring the depths of the struggles of First Nations peoples and the richness of your gifts. We seek God's forgiveness and healing grace as we take steps toward building respectful, compassionate and loving relationships with First Nations peoples.
“We are in the midst of a long and painful journey as we reflect on the cries that we did not or would not hear, and how we have behaved as a church. As we travel this difficult road of repentance, reconciliation, and healing, we commit ourselves to work toward ensuring that we will never again use our power as a church to hurt others with attitudes of racial and spiritual superiority.
“We pray that you will hear the sincerity of our words today and that you will witness the living out of our apology in our actions in the future.”May this living out of our actions on “The Good Road” be so – and continue -- for you and for me.
Rev. Chris Miller
September 26, 2010
OYM Oriole-York Mills United Church, Toronto
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