Thought and Prayer of the Day
by Mother Jennifer
September 12, 2024
At the end of the month we will be celebrating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will encourage our members to wear orange shirts and to take the stand that every child matters.
On this day we remember the number of indigenous children that were forcibly removed from their homes, their families and cultures and denied the use of their language.
Too many of these children were abused and made to feel shame of their heritage. We remember the racism that affected them, and in remembering, we yearn to combat prejudices against indigenous peoples that are still present in our nation this very day.
Unfortunately, the sad truth is that the church was very complicit in the abuse of many children placed in their care. For this we repent and it is the reason why we strive to learn to support native communities’ efforts to reclaim their traditional language and cultural heritage.
It is always heartening, therefore, to hear of missionaries who ministered to indigenous people through respect right from the start. This past Tuesday, for example, the Anglican Calendar recognized Edmund James Peck – who was a missionary in the Canadian North.
Edmund Peck was not interested in forcing his culture on those he ministered to, but instead he tried to learn from those he was living with. He conducted extensive research on Inuit oral traditions, contributing to the understanding of Inuit culture and history.
While serving at Little Whale River, from 1876-1885, he learned the Inuktitut and Cree languages and compiled an English/Inuktitut grammar book, which went through five major editions. Peck believed it was imperative that Christians read the scriptures but do so in their own language.
The Bishop of the Artic, Bishop Joey stated that “Although missionaries brought the gospel here, missionaries often functioned as people who trained local people, who then spread it to their own people across the land”.
This indeed was Peck’s mission. To share the Good News of Christ in partnership with those he met, treating everyone as a child beloved of God and equal to one another.
We have much to learn from Edmund Peck’s example. And still much repenting to do for the years which followed.
Prayer:
Lord God,
who guided the labours of your servant Edmund
grant that our offering
may be the work of your grace, and our worship
And may bear witness to your love.
We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(For All the Saints: Prayers and Readings)
