Page 9 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2024

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SPRING 2024
Truth and Reconciliation in Montreal
The Rev. Dr. Fontaine (left) and the Rev. Susan Brasier share the Call to Worship.
his Mi’kmaq youth on the shore of Chaleur Bay, with a mother who was abused in residential schools, his early adult challeng- es, and the embrace of his Indige- nous identity and spirituality. Don is now a well-known dancer at powwows across the continent, and, with his wife, Candia, oper- ates Healingstitches, a success- ful company producing traditional string skirts.
Others taking part included for- mer moderator the Rev. Dr. Rob- ert Faris, who offered Prayers of the People, and a choir of regular and volunteer singers led by con- ductor Léa Moisan-Perrier and organist Jonas Apeland, whose gentle touch was perfect for the occasion.
By Keith Randall and the Rev. Susan Brasier, Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul in Montreal, Quebec.
On the evening of September 30, a day when thousands of orange- shirted Montrealers filled the streets and Mount Royal trails to honour the sad memory of those lost in residential schools, the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul hosted its second annual inter- spiritual Truth & Reconciliation Service.
As it did last year, the service highlighted Indigenous partici- pants, including Innu singer-song- writer Shauit and PCC Moderator, the Rev. Mary Fontaine, who had a busy few days in the city with a visit to Presbyterian College, a joyous evening with la Commu-
nauté Chrétienne Siloé, and a tour of nearby Kahnawake’s Cultural Centre, as well as a long conver- sation with Mohawk Councillor Arnold Boyer. And she preached the following day in the World Communion Sunday service.
In her Truth and Reconciliation sermon, the Rev. Fontaine said that listening is a synonym of love. “Listening affirms people. By listening, you’re saying ‘I care. I love you. You’re important.’”
Those who listened to Kahnawake Elder Don Barnaby’s reflection will long remember a generous gesture of reconcilia- tion. He had been hesitant to ac- cept the invitation. “It is hard for me to be here,” he began, gazing around the massive neo- Gothic church before recounting
Shauit sings of Pashiku, a lake in Mistassini, Québec.
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“Some may have experienced the event as a failure that ran way longer than our usual Sundays,” said the Rev. Susan Brasier, Asso- ciate Minister for Community Con- nections and Care, as all enjoyed post-service Bannock, Labrador tea and conversation. “But our In- digenous guests viewed it as our greatest success. Wanting to take the time necessary to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Com- mission’s call to learn about our history, to share stories and be in each other’s company is a real mile marker in our progress to rec- oncile and bring healing.”
The Truth and Reconciliation Service can still be seen on St. Andrew and St. Paul’s YouTube site.
Don Barnaby.
Leading
with Care Policy Updated
The PCC is committed to providing safe environments within its ministries
Learn more about the updated Leading with Care policy at
presbyterian.ca/lwc
New Minister in Cape Breton
Pictured (left to right) are: the Rev. Lydia MacKinnon, who delivered the charge; Joanne Coull; the Rev. D. Coull; the Rev. Peter MacDonald, Moderator of Cape Breton Presbytery; and the Rev. Corrie Stewart, who delivered the message at the Induction Service.
By Charles Greaves, Clerk of Session, Bethel Presbyterian Church in Sydney, N.S.
The Presbytery of Cape Breton met on Sunday afternoon, De- cember 17, in Bethel Presbyte- rian Church in Sydney, N.S., to induct the Rev. David F. Coull as minister of Bethel Church.
The Rev. Coull was ordained on December 2 by the Presbytery of
Vancouver Island. David served as an elder in that presbytery before completing his Master of Divinity at Vancouver School of Theology. David is originally from New Zealand, came to Canada and taught chemistry be- fore joining the Canadian Armed Forces where he served for 15 years, the last several of which he worked closely with an Army chaplain. Through this experi-
ence, David realized a calling to Christian ministry. David and his wife, Joanne, felt called to travel from the West Coast of Canada to the East Coast, and accepted a call to Bethel Church in the Cape Breton Presbytery. Bethel has welcomed David and Joanne and pray that their ministry here will be a blessing to them and the Cape Breton area.