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presbyterian.ca
WINTER 2023
Indigenous Circle of Friendship: Big Drums are Calling!
By Sara Traficante, Central Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ont.
On Sept. 23, 2023, the Social Justice Group of Central Presby- terian Church in Hamilton, Ont., hosted Coast Ts’msyan First Na- tion Elders Shannon Thunderbird and Kate Dickson for an immer- sive learning event: “Indigenous Circle of Friendship: Big Drums are Calling!”
Shannon and Kate are originally from the West Coast and now are based in Toronto. Central was blessed to engage in this work with passionate and experienced leaders, all in the spirit of recon- ciliation. This was an intergen- erational event, with children and adults from the congregation pre- sent, as well as guests from the
congregation. In Spring 2023, a very special relationship was formed when these young people worked with Shannon and Am- gan ~Lik~lgaawks (Red Cedar Sisters) through the Hamilton Children’s Choir. Inspired by their experience, the children sang two Haudenosaunee songs as part of our National Indigenous Peo- ples Day worship service in June 2023. Special permission from Shannon was granted to sing these songs in worship. During our September event, these im- pressive children stood up with Shannon and Kate and sang some of the songs they learned togeth- er. It was a beautiful reunion, and a demonstration of friendship and affection that was meaningful to the event participants, especially the senior members from Central.
Drum Circle at Central Presbyterian Church. PHOTO CREDIT: KIRK STARKEY
Shannon Thunderbird and Kate Dick- son at Central Presbyterian Church. PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD TALBOT.
community.
Shannon and Kate’s specialty
is traditional music and original song. They became known to Central through children from our
The morning program included a discussion around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the 94 Calls to Action. With chil- dren present, Shannon and Kate addressed residential schools with sensitivity. The experience helped to lift our connection into real relationship. Ideas were shared by the presenters on how we can take steps toward recon- ciliation and be part of that part- nership. Questions were freely answered with warmth, generos- ity and humour.
The highlight of the morning was the drumming, call and re-
sponse singing, and circle danc- ing around the big drum. Everyone was invited to participate in the drumming. The joy experienced in the room was palpable. We re- ceived wonderful feedback from those in attendance, expressing what an honour this was—to sit around the drum with these in- spiring Elders, and to participate in this act of reconciliation.
The morning ended with a lunch hosted by the Social Justice Group. Central is grateful for the generosity of the PCC Healing and Reconciliation Seed Fund for their support of this event.
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN
13
A Change at Canadian Ministries
By the Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald, General Secretary, Life and Mission Agency
After eight years of ministry in The Presbyterian Church in Canada, Jennifer de Combe has resigned her position as she and her family settle in France on a more permanent basis.
As Associate Secretary of Canadian Ministries, Jen par- ticipated in strategic planning to strengthen the mission and ministry of the PCC and cre- ated leadership development programs to stimulate organiza- tional renewal. Under Jen’s lead- ership, coaching programs for
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Our building is a gift from God to be used to its fullest potential to serve the community with grace, love, compassion and inclusion. We strive to do so with joy in our hearts. We will continue our long tradition of being a welcoming, caring presence in our community by looking outwards and sharing our building with others. This fur- ther allows us to encounter God, engage Jesus and be an outpost in the Kin-dom of God.
ministry leaders were expanded, providing critical on-the-ground suppor t. New funding streams were developed to encourage creative models of ministry and community development.
“I have really loved being part of programs, such as Cyclical PCC, New Beginnings and the Evangelism Network,” Jen said, reflecting on her time as Associ- ate Secretary of Canadian Minis- tries. “It’s been such a privilege to walk alongside congregations and leaders as they come alive in ministry and boldly step out in new directions. We are blessed in the PCC with dedicated clergy and lay leaders who truly love the
Recently, as I entered the building, I was in awe! I saw this mission statement being lived. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, a neighbour to us, is renovating their building to establish 41 af- fordable housing units, which has resulted in them having to leave their building due to construction and thus having no place to work and worship. In partnership with St. Peter’s, they are using space in our building through the week
church and want to share Christ’s love in their neighbourhoods.”
We are very grateful to Jen for the contributions she has made to Christ’s continued ministry through the PCC. Jen is known across Canada for her enthusi- asm for ministry, commitment to kindness and sense of social justice. She connected people across Canada through speak- ing engagements, seminars, leadership events and worship services.
Personally, I am very grate- ful to Jen for her ministry and I know that we all wish her and her family the very best as they set- tle down in France.
for office work, and on Sunday mornings, worship is in our newly renovated Covenant Chapel. How thrilling to enter the building and have someone say, “Oh, I don’t know you. You must be from St. Andrew’s.” My reply, “And I don’t know you, you must be from St. Peter’s! Welcome!” We both laughed. It was exciting to be with our Christian siblings in our own church building and share our facilities. We are so pleased to
Jen de Combe and her husband, Seb.
share our space with St. Peter’s! But it didn’t end there. The Nexus Church, which presents an alternative and fresh expres- sion of the Christian Path, uses our gymnasium as they have been temporarily locked out of their space due to the bankruptcy of the Kitchener-Waterloo Sym- phony. It was truly awesome and very exciting to have three servic- es happening at the same time in our building. Later in the day, the
Hungarian Church worshipped in Covenant Chapel. What a beauti- ful way to share our lovely herit- age facility!
Indeed, I was filled with emo- tion and awe, and I believe you can understand why. Yes, we are the church together! We engage Jesus, encounter God, and are an outpost in the Kin-dom of God. I am so thankful and blessed to be part of this wonderful church family. May God bless us all.