Right Relations
Right Relations and Eco Christianity
After years of discussion and prayer involving the national office of the United Church of Canada and the UCC Indigenous Church, a decision was made to end our long-term colonial relationship. In order to authorize the Indigenous church to have full autonomy over its structures, governances, processes, education and worship, a majority of the founding congregations across the country had to vote in favor of the change. This process is called Remit 1, and is a legal process to alter the church’s articles of union.
On February 11, the vote was held and passed with the required numbers. Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council churches, of which Kitchissippi UC is a member voted, unanimously to support The new Indigenous Church.
The metaphor for the relationship now is two canoes being paddled autonomously on the water, side by side and steering in the same direction.
On four occasions in 2024, we invited Raven Brightmoon and Daniel Spiritwolf to offer smudging and drumming as part of our Indigenous Sunday, Orange Shirt Day, Palm Sunday and the Christmas Pageant.
In June, we replanted our Heart Garden on the front lawn of the church. Laminated paper hearts made by senior kindergarten students from Churchill Alternative School were attached to stakes and hammered into the ground. The hearts are displayed as a reminder of the indigenous children who never came home from church and government run residential schools.
In Indigenous culture, all living things, including plants and animals, have a spirit and contribute to the balance of the planet. With this in mind, the Alcove Native Pollinator Garden was created as part of a depaving project at Kitchissippi United Church. The garden was refurbished in 2021 and is now maintained by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carlton. They add new species each year. Native plants have also been added to our other beds providing food and habitat for insects, butterflies, crawlers and birds.
Submitted by the Right Relations and Eco-Christianity Circle
