Stan, Melanie, Melody and Steve

Stan McKay (Cree)

Stan McKay is a theology graduate from the University of Winnipeg and was ordained on his home reservation in Fisher River in 1971, and served as moderator of the United Church of Canada from 1992-1994. He has energy for building cross cultural relations and addressing historical and present injustice. Dorothy and Stan are retired by Netley Creek.

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.”  Matthew 6:28

Melanie Kampen (Settler/Mennonite)

Melanie Kampen recently completed her Master of Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo. Her research interests are at the intersection of Christian theology and settler-colonialism in North America. She is also involved in Mennonite Church Manitoba's Partnership Circles with Matheson Island and Pauingassi First Nation and plugs into the local Idle No More movement whenever she can. 

"Let justice roll down like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream!" Amos 5:24

Melody McKellar (Mohawk/French)

Melody, who lives east of Beausejour with husband Ernest Bradshaw, is a member of the Spiritual Health Team at Selkirk Mental Health Centre.  She is completing her Masters of Sacred Theology with a major in “Intercultural Ministry”.  Melody and Ernest both own and operate a Bison Ranch in their ‘spare time’ and use no chemicals on the land.  They deliberately leave wetlands in the fields for the wild birds and animals to share and do not allow hunting on the land so the animals have sanctuary to raise their young.

“It will take each and everyone of us to work together from this moment on, regardless of race, creed or culture for the earth to continue to sustain life for generations to come.”

Steve Heinrichs (Settler/Christian)

Steve, on the left

Steve Heinrichs lives in Treaty 1 Territory, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, along with his spouse Ann and their three children, Abby, Aiden and Isabelle.  Steve is the editor of the groundbreaking book "Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry".  A former reservist with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Palestine, Steve pastored a Mennonite church in northern BC.  Currently Steve is Indigenous relations director for Mennonite Church Canada.  On Sundays, Steve and family walk a few blocks to Hope Mennonite Church – a community of activists, doubters, and Jesus-followers - for worship, Word and nursery chaos.

“The glory of the human has become the desolation of the Earth. The desolation of the Earth is becoming the destiny of the human. It is imperative, therefore, that all human institutions and activities - economic, political, and religious - be judged primarily by the extent to which they inhibit, ignore, or foster a mutually enhancing human-Earth relationship.”   -Thomas Berry (1914-2009) 

WATER - Prayer by Karla W.

Karla, member of the Faith in the City planning group, shared this prayer at the end of August.  It is offered in this blog with her permission.

~Water~         by Karla W

Creator God
Mother and Father of all that is
 
in humbleness and humility for all that is undeserving,
hear our fervent prayer.

We have grown thirsty from crying,
wandering the desert, troubled, delirious...far gone.
We see the water, yet do not drink.

Unclench our sticky, furled fists of greed so we may catch
one lone tear from your heavenly Grace.

Let it wash us clean so that we may, once again, feel the beauty of the earth...like children

eyes cleansed, restoring vision that clearly sees the gift of creation

let it run through our veins, blood of Christ...life giving forgiveness

quenching our insatiable thirst for the riches of the land and sea

give drink to our parched hearts, restoring the connected rhythm with all of creation.

Amen

Faith in the City II Poster

This year's poster is now available.  Thank you, Donna Hainstock, for a very attractive design which so effectively reflects Faith in the City's focus.  The posters are available to anyone who wishes to help publicize our event (church or organization's bulletin boards, for example).  You may, of course, also copy and paste the image (email, facebook, blogs), and share the information with friends, organizations, etc..

To receive a printed poster, please contact Gareth at garneuf@mymts.net.

Faith in the City II - WHERE WATERS MEET

WHERE WATERS MEET

First Peoples and Settlers Exploring our Relationship with Mother Earth 
through Shared Stories and Sacred Acts

UPDATE:  This is updated information.  Note, for example, that Where Waters Meet will not begin on Friday evening, as previously planned, but rather on Saturday morning.  

Oct. 18, 19, 2014
Saturday, 9 - 4:30; Sunday morning, 10:30

Augustine United Church

144 River Avenue (Osborne Village)

Winnipeg, Manitoba

WHERE WATERS MEET

This year, Faith in the City II – Augustine’s annual ecumenical, congregationally-based conversation – explores our relationship with Mother Earth.  First Peoples and Settlers will gather at Augustine United Church and at the Assiniboine River nearby, to engage together in examining questions such as:

• How do we rekindle our spiritual connection to the earth?
• How can settlers and indigenous peoples be allies in actions to defend our earth’s resources?
• How has Christian theology/tradition brought us to where we are (e.g. the ecological crisis, the troubled relationship between first peoples/settlers)?
• How can a decolonized and reimagined Christian theology move us to a new and sacred place?
• How can the settlers among us find the courage to become unsettled?   

Stan McKay (Cree), Melanie Kampen (Settler Mennonite), Melody McKellar (Mohawk/French) and Steve Heinrichs (Settler Christian) will lead this highly experiential and interactive day of ceremony, conversations and sharing-circles. 

On Sunday, the Very Rev. Dr. Stan McKay (former moderator of the United Church of Canada) will join Rev. Bob Gilbert (Augustine United Church) in leading a special Faith in the City worship service at 10:30 a.m..

Registration Cost
The following categories are guidelines.  Registrants may pay as they are able.
$40 (Fully employed); $30 (employed part-time); $20 (student/unemployed)

Donations
Donations are most welcome.  When donating $75 or more, your registration will be included, and a tax-deductible receipt will be issued for a portion of the donation.

Registration Form will be available on this site Monday, September 8.

Please continue to visit the Faith in the City blog for ongoing updates.  

WHERE WATERS MEET - Registration Form

To access the Faith in the City II (2014) Registration Form, click here.  Please print page 1, complete and submit to the Augustine United Church office.  Thank you for registering.