The Face of Reconciliation

Re Truth and Reconciliation coverage, September

Within the Presbytery of Winnipeg we held our own commemorative service. It seemed especially significant to make the effort here with the recent establishment of Place of Hope Presbyterian Church, a predominantly aboriginal congregation established within Winnipeg Inner City Missions.

The service was held at First Presbyterian, on June 7, a week later than other events due to our desire to include Vivian Ketchum, who was a delegate on behalf of the Presbyterian Church to the ceremonies in Ottawa. And in a time of worship including both traditional Christian hymns and aboriginal drumming, Rev. Margaret Mullin spoke of the power of the gospel to heal. Ketchum’s presentation spoke of the very real hurt that had been experienced, and the very real hope that true reconciliation and healing could and would take place.

The highlight of our time together, however, wasn’t the formal presentation of songs or speeches. It was in the giving and receiving of peace. In a circle that included close to 200 people, Ketchum led with shaking the hand of the person on her left, then going to the next and the next and all around the circle until she resumed her place.

The first person with whom she had shaken hands then immediately followed her, followed by the next person, and so on, until everyone had given peace to each other, and each had received that peace as well. It was significant because it wasn’t just one person speaking on behalf of a group: the group spoke, in the handshake, of their own apology, their own place in making truth and reconciliation happen.

Over a meal hosted by the congregation of Place of Hope church, with funds from the presbytery, we shared the hurts, we offered and received peace, and took food together. It was a beautiful picture of what it can all look like when truth and reconciliation have fully taken root.